Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-16
HAS DRAFTED A BILL
REPORT ON THE DEPARTMENT OF
THE COLORADO.
Defends the Post Exchange, or "Can-
teen" - Regards the Present Post
Guard Houses as Demoralizing.

who distinguished themselves either in the
field or in other professional lines and
submits the draft of bill to carry it into
effect.
This may be attained" says General
Baldwin. ''by creating one or more addi-
tonal positions in each grade to which
officers of exceptional merit might be adj
vanced without prejudice to their seniors.
Thus. provision might be made for two
extra colonies. seven lieutenant colonies,
nine majors. twelve captains and five first
leutenants In addition to the present au-
thorized strength. These places should be
available for the proper reward of mert-
torious officers who may be recommended
by their immediate superiors and whose
names should be presented to the Secre-
tary of War or to the President on the
recommendation of a board of officers ap-
pointed to investigate the circumstances
of the particularly conspicuous, gallant or
other meritorious conduct; reports to be
transmitted to the Secretary of War, Tor
the information of the President
Many Officers on Leave.
Owing to the scarcity of officers by rea-
son of numerous details on special duty.
absence on leave and sick. the services of
these additional officers would be readily
take the places of those who are on de-
tached service as instructors at the United
States Military Academy. the Artillery
School. the General Service and Staff Col
lege. the Fort Riley School and other in
situations, well as at universities ana
colleges, as now provided by law; also IN
place OF the large number who are WITH
drawn from duty with their proper COM
mands for recruiting service or by detail on
other detached duty. There are at this
date in this department alone A officers
absent on detached service and 10 absent
with leave besides Withdrawn from duty
by reason of SickneSs-a total of ~ per
cent
The natural flow of promotion contem-
plated by law would be unimpeded by the
distinguished list above suggested. There
would be no encouragement to officers OF
long and meritorious service by being over
slaughed by juniors. and at the same time
it would afford an opportunity of rewarding
in appropriate manner deserving officers OF
lower rank.
Defends the Army Canteen.
General Baldwin makes a vigorous de-
tense of the army canteen. In a chapter
on that subject he says:
From somewhat extensive observation
as inspector general and as commander OF
troops, have been deeply impressed by the
very marked difference in discipline and
men since the abolition of the canteen fea-
ture of the post exchange. If men are I'M
able to get a glass of beer in decent and
orderly manner in the garrison, they will
resort to the vile brothels which cluster
around the borders of the reservation, where
they drink all manner of alcoholic bever-
ages and often sink into debauchery and
ruin
lie quotes from the report of General
Funston, who preceded him in command of
he de- N "a
that since the abolition of the canteen
saloons of the lowest type have been estab-
liShed just outside the boundaries of the
various reservations, with disastrous re-
suits. The recent legislation by Congress
on this question, said General Funston, so
far as this department Is concerned, has
had no effect except to lower the discipline
of the army. ruin scores of good soldiers
and fill the pockets of lot of saloon keep
ers. gamblers and prostitutes"
Gen. Baldwin says that the experience Of
the past year has demonstrated the wisdom
of these remarks and he earnestly recon-
mends that the sale of beer and light wine,
under proper restrictions. be again author
tied in the post exchange.
Post Guard Houses.
In the opinion of the inspector general
the present system of combining military
convicts in post guard houses is damoraliz-
ing in many respects. 1t necessitates plac-
with men of long guard-house records and
with criminals. General Baldwin says
that the present system has never been
satisfactory, and for longterm men a re-
turn to the military prison at Fort Leaven-
worth or other similar institution IS COM
mended to careful consideration. Accord
ing to Judge Advocate Dunn the result
most to be feared from overcrowding OF
prisoners is that the few vicious charac-
ters may debauch young men, and because
the prisoners cannot be given regular en-
ployment or taught useful trades they are
turned out worse men at the end of their
terms of confinement than they were when
they were first imprisoned. General Bald
win recommends the construction of larger
guard houses at posts in his department
unless the old military prison at For.
Leavenworth again becomes available for
the confinement of general prisoners. He
says new guard houses are needed al Fort
D. A. Russell and at Fort Douglas. Mean
while efforts are being made by mitigation
and remission of confinements so far as
compatible with the maintenance OF disci-
pline. to relieve the existing congestion
Chief Paymaster Comegys advoc ates a
return to the old system of having the
paymasters visit the troops and make pay
ments in person.
A Number of Recommendations.
Gen. Baldwin makes a number of recon-
mendations. including a return to the five
year enlistment period. or at least that
the second and subsequent enlistments be
for that period: that the strength of regt-
mental bands be increased to thirty or
thirty-fve men. on the ground that patri-
otto airs played by good band furnish an
inspiration which nothing else can impart
and contribute in a marked degree to the
esprit de corps of a command: that pro-
vision be made for the abandonment of
Fort Grant. Ariz-, utilizing it only as
subpost for one troop of cavalry.
Gen. Baldwin recommends the abolition
OF the present system of awards of medals
to successful competitors in small arms
practice and the substitution of an In
crease in the soldiers monthly pay IF
the Increase is a fair amount" says he
the interest In these competitions will be
greater. The reward of medal has not
a lasting effect. 1t may mean a great
deal to the soldier for probably the first
SIX months after procuring the same
whereas the monthly increase In pay viii
not only be lasting. but also q beneficial
reward and be much more appreciated"
The Indians living within the limits of the
department have not manifested a disposi-
ton to be troublesome during the year.
With the exception of few instances
where individuals only were involved they
have been very quiet.
CASE OF MISS JOHNSON.