The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-27
HAS TENDED TO LOWER
DISCIPLINE IN The ARMY
Little Fighting General Says Recent
Legislation BY Congress Has Had
Opposite Effect From What
1t Was intended.

Washington, September 26.-Abolish-
ment Of the army canteen is responsible
for "deplorable increase of offensea in
general and desertions in particular ac-
cording to the annual report of Brig. Gen.
Frederick Funston. department OF Colo
! rado. General Funston declares that the
ousting of the eanteen by act of congress
has lowered the discipline of the army,
ruined scores of good soldiers and en-
riched saloon-keepers, gamblers and dis
solute women. He explains the deteriora-
tion as follows:
In my opinion there are two prin-
cipal causes for this state of affairs:
Il. Resentment of unaccustomed lmi-
tations and restrictions felt by men re-
turning fl ON field service to the monotony
and routine work of garrison line.
'2. The abolition of the eanteen feature
of the post exchange.
Low Saloons Established.
Since this action was taken saloons Of
the lowest type have been established
Just outside of the boundaries of the va
rious reservations; their proprietors, in
almost every case, unprineipled scound-
rels, who leave nothing undone to de-
bauch the soldiers and obtain their mo-
ney. Being in all cases outside the linz
its Of any city. the proprietors of these
resorts are subject to no municipal regu-
lations and sell liquor regardless of hours
and whether the buyer is already intoxi-
Gated or not Gambling is universal in
/ these dives and they are frequented by
dissolute women. The soldier whose de-
/ sire for drink would ordinarily be salts
fed by few glasses of beer in the can
i teen of the post exchange, goes to one
OF these resorts and does well IL he es-
capes 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 indif-
| ference or approval it causes the sol
der to spend his money in the COM
munity. The efficiency of the army or
the good soldier is nothing to them.
! There can be no reasonable doubt that
most of the trials by general courtmar-
/ tial and summary courts. at least, so far
as this department is concerned, are di-
rectly traceable to this cause. Since I
have had command here there has taken
place the ruin and degradation of several
non-commissioned officers of long service
and fine record
Has Lowered Discipline.
In short, the recent legislation by con-
gress on this question so far as this de-
| partment is concerned 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 saloon keepers,
gamblers and prostitutes
The water supply at number Of posts
In the department of Colorado, the re-
port says, caused considerable concern.
Gen. Funston says the controversy be-
tween the witty of Cheyenne Wyo.. and
the authorities of Fort d. A Russell, re-
garding certain water rights. has reached
a stage which renders It necessary for
the governments rights to be ascertained
or the posts abandoned. Considerable
trouble 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, Gen. Funston
recommends that Fort Grant be aban-
doned
Regarding the proposed construction OF
a post at Albuquerque, N. NJ, Gen. Fun
ston recommends that a board be ap-
pointed to visit that place and also Las
Vegas and Santa Fe. and observe care
fully the question of water supply, cli-
mate. etc, before any action Is taken.
The inspector general of the DEPART
ment reports that a general rule the
quarters and barracks are not In a good
condition.