Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-12-11
THE Army CAN7EEN..
Records Ia paymastsr Gsnsral's
Office Favor Ito Restoration.
SECOID.CLlSS NAIL REFoRI CASES.
The Postmaster General Says No 0snsral
Rals Csn he Laid Down st Present.
Commlssionsr Sargent Files He Be-
port Concsrnlng Cuban Children.

Washington, Dec. 5.-Gen. Bates,
paymaster general Of the army, has
sent . communication to Adjt. Gen.
Corbin in regard to the army can
teen question in which he says:
1.-THE claim Of the war department
in recommending the restoration Of
tho canteen to the army that during
the operations Of the canteen law the
discipline Of the army was superior,
assertions much less and that there
were fewer fines and forfeitures by
courtmartials on account of breaches
Of military discipline, resulting from
the use Of intoxicants by men In the
service, appears to be fully borne
out by the records Of the paymaster
generals officers. These records
show that the paymasters Of the
army collected from $4,000 enlisted
men (regnlars) during the last year
in which the canteen was In force,
on account Of the soldiers home
dues, fines and forfeitures, $462, sos,
while during the fiscal year 1902, since
the adjustment OF the canteen, there
was collected by paymasters from
about 10000 enlisted men (regulars)
on the same account, s632,125. The
fact, therefore, appears indisputable
by the figures that the fines and
forfeitures imposed upon and col
lected from the enlisted men Of the
army we're vastly increased during
the year subsequent to the abolish
ment Of the canteen, which increase
cannot be well attributed to any
other cause than the effects Of an
uncontrolled liquor traffic in connec-
ton with military posts, which traffic
appears to seriously affect the dis
cipline and morals Of the army.
Second. Glass Mall Reform Cases.
Washington, Dec. 5.-The decisions
Of the District court Of appeals
Wednesday in the second-class mail
reform cases will be studied care
fully by the post Office department
officials before any definite conclu-
sion Is reached as to future policy
in reference to Redistribution re-
forms. Postmaster General Payne
yesterday expressed the opinion that
in view Of the fact THAT one Of the
decisions was In favor Of the govern
ment and the other two adverse,
and that number Of other cases
are now pending in the lower court,
each case of exclusion or proposed
exclusion Of publication from the
second-class privileges would have to
be determined by itself and that no
general rule could be laid down under
present conditions. The department
some time ago suspended its ag-
gresslve exclusion policy pending u
determination of the issues in court
and this situation will continue for
the present.
Report on the Cuban Children.
Washington, Dec. 6.-Commisioner
General Sargent, OF the immigration
bureau, has fled with Secretary
Shaw his report on the question Of
admitting to the United States the II
Cuban children who are now being
detained at New York, pending the
settlement Of the question Of the
financial responsibility and general
character of the Theosophist insti-
tuition known as the Universal
Brotherhood school at Point Iona,
CAL, to which the children were en-
route when stopped at New York.
The report, which is based upon the
personal inspection of Mr.. Sargent,
is an unqualified Endorsement of the
school, both as to its financial stand
ing and general character. 1t will
not be made public, however, until
next Saturday, when Secretary Shaw
will give hearing to the parties
sptaractad