New-York tribune., 1902-05-15
FOR "STNGLE HEN IN BARRACKS"

To-day is an interesting day for Jack Tar and
his fellows hereabouts There is TO be formally
opened for occupancy in Brooklyn fine and
commodious new building for his especial use
and delectation. It is a naval branch Of the
Young Mems Christian Association and it
stands near the entrance to the Brooklyn Navy
Yard-literally where it will do the most good"
The erection of II has been made possible
through the gracious benefcence of Miss Helen
NJ. Gould, who has taken from first 70 last
deep personal interest in all the details of the
Work-a fact which will in an especial degree
engage for the institution the appreciative re-
gard of the public. Miss Gouds services TO
the navy during the Spanish war are gratefully
remembered and the present occasion is a fine
evidence that her action at that time was not
the outcome Of mere ephemeral impulse or OF
passing enthusiasm in a patriotic cause but
rather of an intelligent purpose to promote per
manently the welfare of n service which has
done so much for and which deserves so well of
the nation.
Apart from personal consideration however
the chief purport of to-day's ceremony in Brook
lyD is a recognition of the need Of supplying in
fiuences which shall overcome evil with good"
We have Mr.. Thomas Atkinss word for it
expressed by Mr.. Kipling-7kat "sincle men
in barracks don't grow into plaster saints" !"
That is true. Whatever may have been the
case in the armies of Cromwell and Gustavus
Adophus, the all but universal rule has been
and is that barrack life breeds carelessness of
morals. Men-soldiers and sailors as well as all
the rest-are social beings, and they demand
something more in the way of social enjoyment
than is TO be found in barracks pure and simple
If they cannot find it elsewhere they will seek
it in the canteen, in the saloon or in the resort
of bat Ohio orr Ic
fact is shrewdly recognized in the array of dives
and dens which may be seen near almost every
navy yard and military post.
But If "single men in barracks don't grow into
plaster saints" neither are they naturally
vicious nor do they prefer evil to good. A starv-
ing man will gnaw an unwholeSome, mouldy
crust. But he will more quickly eat sweet
bread. So the soldiers and sailors who drink
and carouse in evil resorts would, most of them
more gladly seek virtuous and rational pleas
ures If only these latter were to be found. To
place such within their easy reach IS therefore
particularly practical piece of Denefcence
That ii will result in much good 1t Is impossible
to doubt. 1t is simply making it as easy for
! men 10 go right as for them to go wrong. 1t
is the exercise of a soicitude for their physical
| mental and moral welfare comparable in ear
nestness and zeal with the harples' greedy
| clutch for their gold. 1t is something which
ought in some way to be done wherever there
| are "single men in barracks TO make the way
OF sobriety and manliness as accessible and as
easy and as attractive as is the way of de-
bauchery. In taking the lead in this work in
the place where it is probably of all most
needed. Miss Gould has done noble thing, and
has set an example which should be widely fol-
lowed, and not only at our navy yards and
forts. For the needs of men in tenements and
slums are not far different from those of men
in barracks. II Il were as easy to go into a
decent club as into a disreputable saloon. who