Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-11-08
FAVORS The CANI[EN
Gen. Corbin in His Annual Re-
port Urges It's Early Re-
storatiOn
cANTEEN PREVENTS DISCRETION
Experience of Army Officers Shows the
Men Are More contented, Sober and
Healthy Where the Exchange Is Al
Iowed-NationaI Guard Poorly Equip
ped in Matter of Small Arms.

Washington. Nov. S.-The annual re-
port of Mayor General III. c. Corbin,
adjutant general of the army, deals
with every feature of the army organ
lization and begins with statement
showing that the army is to be re-
duced by December to 10000.
The report shows that during the
fiscal year 35 officers We're killed in
action or died of wounds and disease,
81 resigned, IS retired. OF the enlisted
men 1,227 were killed or died of wounds
and disease; 35,So6 discharged on ex-
piration of service, 5,49S discharged
for disability or dismissed by order
of court martial, 1867 deserted. two
missing, 203 retired.
The adjutant general has obtained
the number and kind of arms in the
hands of the national guard, and finds
that less than 1000 United States mag
azine rifles are in their possession. OF
the multitude of other types, he says
this heterogeneous collection of obso-
lete arms is very serious detriment
which in organization drill, instruction,
ETC., assimilates closely to the regular
army, and should be armed with the
same arms as the latter. Ii called
into service under this deplorable con-
dition, much trouble and vexatious de-
lays are involved in providing the diff
ferent kinds of ammunition required,
and in urgent or unforeseen contingent
cies may lead to disastrous results
General Corbin is of the opinion that
early marriages of the young officers
should be discouraged. "a young Off
cer," he says, should have but one
allegiance, and that should be to the
service"
General Corbin urges the restoration
of the canteen, and says:
Numerous reports confirm the views
long ago held by this office that the
old exchange contributed to sobriety,
health and contentment of the men.
The increase of assertions and of trials
for infractions of discipline is, by those
best informed, attributed to the aboli-
ton of the former PRIVILEGES of the
exchange"
Free Delivery Cost.
gross cost of complete rural free de-
livery service turnout the United States
will approximate S24,000000, according
to the annual report of First Assistant
Postmaster Wynne today, received from
August w. Machen, the general super
intendent of the service. The remain
ing 100000 square miles not now COW
cred by rural free delivery service, ac-
cording to the report, will require the
Of 10000 or $4,000 carriers
in addition to those now employed,
making the entire force of carriers
when the extension of the service is
within the next three years,
10000. After this extension is COM
pleted, the annual rate of increase
In appropriations is expected not to
exceed or per cent, the rate main
tanned in other branches of the postal
service. To extend the service $4,000
routes a year, until 1t becomes univer-
sal, the report says, will require such
largely increased appropriations that
the annual postoffice deficits for the en-
suing two years will probably reach
sS,000,000 of s10,000,000 if not more;
but once the service is completed, the
additional revenue derived will soon re-
luce the deficits to present figures, if
not entirely wipe them out.
Civil Service Recommended.
Washington, Nov. S.-The civil SER
vice commission in it's annual report
Urges the president to recommend
% congress the rec enactment of |
/ law furnishing facilities for deter
mining the comparative qualifications
If applicants for the consular service |
,y means of open competitive nom
PARTISAN examination. The commission
says that under the present system of |
appointments there is little |
surety, that the men appointed are
qualified for their duties in the more |
'emote and smaller places, where the |
political removals make the consular |
ERIN so short that with the meager
BAY allowed, first class men can not |
be secured, often the best opportunities
,xist for extending American commerce |
md furnishing facilities for American