Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-08
FAVORS THE CANTEEN
GEN. CoRBIN WOULD RESTORE
THE POST EXCHANGE TO ARMY.
Recommends instruction of Men in
Vocal Musie-Marching Song for
Every Regiment.

In his annual report to the Secretary of
War Major General Corbin. adjutant gem
eral, recommends the restoration of the
canteen, the instruction of soldiers in vocal
music and the general staff system. In re-
gard to these distinct subjects he says:
The restoration OF the exchange as 1t
existed prior to the passage of the act OF
February 2. 1901, prohibiting the sale of
beer. is desired and urged by the great ma
jority of officers and men and by none more
than those of pronounced temperance views.
Numerous reports confirm the views long
held by this office that the old exchange
contributed to sobriety, health and con-
tentment of the men. The increase of de-
sertions and of trials for infractions of dis
cipline is by those best informed attributed
to the abolition of the former privileges of
the exchange.
The instruction of our men in vocal
music would be a step in the direction of
contentment and better discipline. Every
regiment should have its marching song.
Frequent practice in singing, particularly
during the long winter evenings, would DO
much to make our men satisfied to remain
in quarters and away from the baleful In
f1uence of the bar rooms that exist in too
great numbers in the vicinity of all our
military posts. These bar rooms are under
the protection of the license and laws OF
troll of the military authority.
1.-THE detail-staff system works to the en-
tire satisfaction of the department. The
more scheme for general staff is studied
the more convinced l become that 1t offers
the best solution Of the veXatious friction
with which you and your predecessors have
had to contend for many years. 1t Is rec
commended that 1t again be brought to tbs
attention of Congress and early action urg-
ed in the best interests of the service"
nyarcromded Rooms
Referring to the clerical force of his Of
flee. Gen. Corbin says:
'"The deplorable condition of this office
with regard to overcrowded rooms. pointed
out in the last report, continues to exist,
and prompt legislative action Is Imperative
ly demanded both to prevent sickness
among the employees and to afford reasona-
BILE room for the steadily increasing volume
Of files and papers,
1.-THE rooms at present occupied by the
several divisions of this office crowded
to a point that seriously endangers the
health of their occupants. In the divisions
Of mail and record. rolls and returns. it has
been found absolutely necessary to have
the file cases as high as the ceiling would
permit and the use of poles from six to ten
feet long is necessary to take down the
upper file boxes. This method Of handling
boxes averaging fifteen pounds in weight
not only retards work but compromises the
lives of the clerks handling them. The first
named division occupies rooms on the sec
ond floor and baseemnt of the west wing
and in the west and east ends of the base
ment of the north wing. The recruiting and
the miscellaneous divisions, with eleven and
fourteen clerks, respectively. and the neces-
sary furniture other than desks, have only
a floor space for each of 10 and 1872 square
feet.
1.-The proper arrangement of the clerical
force of the Office can never be made with
satisfa ction and for the best interests Of its
important business until its several divi-
sions can be grouped with regard to their
degree of affinity, and each occupies suita-
BILE contiguous rooms"
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