The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-05
ARMY POST CLUBS
Senator Hansborough's Very Wise
Suggestion. =
COMMITTEE ALLOWS 100000
One Step Towards Keeping Enlisted
Men Out of the Low
GrOESeries.

Building, Washington.
Washington, May Sat Senator Hans
brough's suggestion the senate committee
on military affairs has incorporated in the
military appropriation bill provision
that will add materially to the comfort of
the enlisted men. 1t authorizes the sec
rotary OF war to construct buildings at
army posts already established and occu-
pied for the conduct of the exchange st ore,
library, reading, lunch and amusement
rooms, gymnasium, etc.
Senator HanSbrough asked the commit
tee to appropriate million dollars for
this purpose, but the committee would
only allow 100000. He hopes to have
more money provided at future sessions,
so that ample provision for places of en-
tertainment for enlisted men can be made
at all military posts in the country.
The purpose OF the provision is to es-
tablish places of entertainment for the en-
listed men of the army, said Senator
Hansbrough. '"Since the adjustment OF
the canteen the low groggeries and cheap,
and degrading places of amusement have
increased in the vicinity of army posts.
The men have gone to these places be-
cause there was no place within the linn
its of the posts where they might put in
their spare time. They have not gone
out because they wanted the poor whisky
and the beer, but simply because they
wanted amusement of some kind. Doing
away with the canteen was good thing
as it prevented the creation of an appetite
for liquor by government sanction. Many
of the newly enlisted men are fresh from
the farms. They don't know the taste OF
liquor and could be kept from evil inf1u-
ences it an amusement room were pro-
vided at their stations. That is what
propose to have done. At every post there
ic.o fT,nc hon lpi,
and delicacies may be bought by the en-
listed men. In some of them there are
reading rooms and some posts have con-
siderable libraries. But this is not the
general condition., which I want to bring
about. ----- ~
Under the provision Of the amendment
the secretary of war will cause to be con-
structed suitable buildings in which the
men may spend their leasure hours With
such a room at their disposal the men will
be glad to contribute each his small share
toward the establishment of a library
and for Installing games of various kinds
There are plenty of games that are played
with cards that are not gambling games,
and these will be allowed. If the room
at any post is large enough a pooLtable
might be set UP. I am satisfied that when
these amusement rooms are established
the records of courtmartials for drunken
ness and over staying leave and like of
fences will reach minimum because the
enlisted men can find amusement and en-
tertainment within the limits and there
will be no inducement for. them to fire.
quent the degrading and Immoral places
outside ~
Reciprocity.
1t should not be taken for granted be-
cause the senate committee on foreign re-
lations has favorably reported the long
neglected reciprocity treaties, that the
ratification of those treaties is in sight;
for it isn't. There is no thought that fav-
orable action can be secured.
The Cuban Snag.
Senators and representatives from Loui-
siana say that if the senate insists on
amending the Cuban reciprocity bill, con-
gress will not adjourn till autumn. It is
asserted with renewed energy this week
that the house will never concur in
amendments, and that if there is to be
Cuban legislation it must be along the
lines of the house bill.
w