The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-09-27
GOOD SOLDIERS
ARE LED ASTRAY
Bad Influence of Dives Near
Army Posts.
GENERAL FUNST0N'S REPORT
STRONG PLEA IN FAVOR OF THE
cANTEEN EXCHANGE.
GENERAL FUNST0N'S REPORT

III AsHINGToN. Sept. 2s-Brigadier
w General Frederick Funston, in his
annual report for the department OF
the Colorado. points out that the percent
age of trials by court-martial of enlisted
men has nearly doubled during the past
year. He says:
1T is therefore plain that there has
been a deplorable, increase of offenses in
general and of desertion in particular. In
my opinion there are two principal causes
for this state OF affairs. First, resentment
OF unaccustomed limitations and restric-
lions felt by men returning from field
service 10 the monOtony and routine work
or garrison life: second. the abolition OF
me canteen feature of the post exchange.
Since this action was taken. saloons of
the lowest type have been established
Just outside the boundaries of the various
Reservations; their proprietors, in almost
every case, are unprincipled scOundrels,
VINO leave nothing undone to debauch the
soldiers and obtain their money.
Dives Beyond Control.
Being in all cases outside the limits
OF any city, the proprietors OF these re-
sorts are subject TO no municipal police
regulations and sell liquor regardless Of
hours and whether the buyer is already
intoxicated or not. Gambling is universal
IN these dives. and they are frequented
by dissolute women The soldier whose
desire for a drink would ordinarily be
satisfied by a few glasses OF beer in the
eanteen of the post exchange goes TO one
OF these resorts and does well If he es-
eapes before he has spent or gambled
away all his money, overstayed his leave
or engaged in an alteration. As a rule
the local authorities regard the existence
OF these places with indifference or ap-
prevail, as 1t causes the soldier to spend
ms money In the community. The eff
fieiency Of the army or the ruin of good
soldier Is nothing to them. There can
be no reasonable doubt that most az the
trials by general courts martial and sum
mary courts. at least so far as this de-
partment Is concerned. are directly trace
able 10 this cause.
Good Soldiers Ruined.
''Since have had command here there
has taken place the ruin and degradation
OF several non-commissioned officers OF
long service and fine record. In short,
the recent legislation by congress on this
question. SO far as this department is con-
cerned. has had no effect except TO lower
the discipline OF the army, ruin scores of
good soldiers and fill the pockets Of a lot
OF saloonkeepers, gamblers and Rrosti-
tutes.'
The water supply at a number of posts
in the department of the Colorado. the
report says, has caused great concern
Geheru Funston says the controversy
between the city of Cheyenne Wyo., and
the authorities of Fort d. A. Russell re-
garding certain water rights has reached
a stage which renders 1t necessary for
the governments rights TO be ascertained
or the post abandoned. Considerable trou-
Bile has been had at Fort Grant. AriZ on
account of the water supply. On account
OF the establishment of other forts and
the completion of the railroad to the San
Carlos agency. General Funston recon-
mends that Fort Grant be abandoned.
Regarding the proposed construction of
a post at Albuquerque, n. NJ. General
Funston recommends that board be ap-
pointed to visit the place and also Las
Vegas and Santa Fe and observe care
fully the question of water supply, eli
mate. etc, before action is taken. Las
Vegas will donate 20O00 acres near a
limitless supply Of water II a post Is To-
Gated there. The inspector general of the
department reports that as a general rule
the quarters and barracks are not in a
good condition.