The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-25
Anti-SaIoon League Preparing to In
augurate War on Congressman
and the War Department..
BUILDING SITE SELECTED
FIGHT BETWEEN ELKHART CITI-
ZENS SETTLED FOR GOOD.
Corner of Main and jackson Streets
Chosen for Erection of the New
Federal Building.

StaH correspondence OF the JOurndi
WASHINGTON, Nov. A.-The Anti-sa-
loon League. a national organization, is
preparing to resist any attempt to repeal
the anti-canteen law this term of Con-
gress. s. E. Nicholson, author of In
diana's Nicholson temperance law, was in
Washington tonight and declared that the
league will fight the matter to a finish.
Mr.. Nicholson lives in Baltimore and is
secretary of the Anti-saloon League. The
league has headquarters here. Its annual
meeting will be held next month about the
time Congress is getting well started with
its work Mr.. Nicholson thinks bill will
be introduced with a view to repeating the
law that abolished the army canteen, and
he asserts the belief that the bill will be
backed by the War Department. Mr..
Nicholson says his organization is in close
touch with the temperance people of the
country and will be able to put UP a warm
fight. SIN five days." he said last night,
I'VE would be able to have thousands Of
letters and kilograms pouring in on the
congressman of the different States urging
them to fight any attempt to repeal this
law"
Mr.. Nicholson says that proceedings have
been brought by the league in Baltimore
against a captain of detectives and an
other member of the department for an al
legged attempt to thwart the work of the
league. 1t was rumored, he said, that
Editor Callen, of Our Standard. the In
diana saloon mems organ at Indianapolis.
would come to Baltimore and testify
against him. "I only wish he would" Mr..
Nicholson said.
t.
partment is in constant receipt of data con-
corning the canteen question and the eff
feet of it's abolition on the army. Apropos
of this statement is made at the depart
ment that only such information as had
been contained in the reports of army
officers upon the subject has been given to
the public and Ii is denied that any effort
has been made to influence public opinion
on the matter.
1t is said at the department that the
recommendations of the adjutant general
in his annual report were based upon the
information contained in these reports. 1t
is pointed out that the existence of some
thing like 1,400 saloons in the vicinity OF
the army posts is shown by the reports
received at the department. $50 or 300 of
which are said to have been opened since
the closing OF the canteen. This further
statement is made at the department.: 1.-THE
drunkenness and court martials for drunk
enness have increased; that desertion and
absence without leave has increased; that
the effect of the closing of the canteen
upon the morality, discipline and health
of the troops has been bad, and, while
many post commanders are, In conse-
Quence of the frequent changes of garri-
son and from the absence of correct data
upon which to base comparisons, unable to
report as to the degree of detriment created
by the closing of the canteen, IL can be
stated as an absolute fact that in no single
case has the post commander expressed an
opinion that the effect of the abolition of
the sale of beer in the army has resulted
in improved changes"
A spirited, fight between citizens of the
north and a citizen of the south side of
Elkhart was ended by the secretary Of the
treasury to-day. He decided that the site
on the corner of Main and Jackson streets
is the most suitable for the new federal
building. The secretary reached this de-
cision after having both sides of the ques-
ton thoroughly put forth in a conference
lasting over three hours. Delegations rep
resenting both sides were present. and the
advantages of both were thoroughly set
forth. Herbert E. Bucklen, the owner OF
both sites, accompanied by Walter Brown
and James III. State, advocated acceptance
of the Jackson-street site because, in his
opinion, il was most advantageous TO the
city of Elkhart. If, on the other hand. the
site at Main and Pratt streets had been
accepted, ii would have greatly enhanced
the value of some real estate he owns in
that vicinity. 1t can readily be seen
that Mr. Bucklen had only the welfare
of Elkhart in mind. The Pratt-street
site was looked after by Captain Cham
berlain and A. r. Beardsley. The secre-
tary said he reached his conclusion after
full and free conference, and that in his
opinion the lot on the corner Of Main and
jackson streets best suited the purpose.
Senator Fairbanks introduced Walter
Brown, a memebr of the North Side dele
cation, who is also a member of the In
diana Republican committee, to President
Roosevelt to-day.
Inspector Parsons sent in his report on
the vincennes site to-day. All the Indiana
sites are now in. two of them having been
selected. leaving six to be acted on. Final
action on the vincennes site will not be
taken until Dec. "a. Muncie is next on the
list, coming up for final action Nov. IS.