Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-12-09
men COMFORTABLY LOCATED.
Says Also That Their Health is Tn.
usually Good, The Hospital Record
Being Nearly Blank
REPORTS TO CONTRARY NOT TRUE
Thal's Charges He Says, Are 50 Alb.
surdIy False as TO be Almost
Unworthy of Denial

~ So b'h' JollH - NdHHoH ioudS
filed "A report with Governor Wells OF
the condition Of the militia at the scene
OF the coal strike. He states that the
men are comfortably fixed in their
quarters Notwithstanding the reports
to the contrary, and that theIr health
is unusually good. the hospital record
being almost blank There Is an
abundance of well-cooked rations for
the men and there is no complaint to
make in that respect,
In regard to the statements made by
Jonn Thai that the militia accompanied
the company guards on their tours OF
intimidation, General Cannon says they
are so "absurdly false as to be almost
unworthy of denial" The report fol-
lows in full.
GENERAL CANNON's REPORT
Salt Lake city, Dec g. 1908.
Hon. Heber NJ Wells, Commander-in-
Chief National Guard Oh Utah;
Sr:-I have the honor 10 submit 10
you the following report and Observa-
tions, which may not be without inter-
est or deemed premature in view OF the
unusual nature OF the service IN which
the National Guard Is now engaged.
The season of the year, the location
where the troops are on duty and all
the conditions surrounding them rem
der the experience which the organized
militia is undergoing a novel ana eN-
acting one, and yet IN point of prepare
ton and supply it is doubtsul II any
experience could in all respects he more
beneficial
The completeness of the plans Tor
mobilization and the CELEBRITY with when
the same were eected, were alike cred
table and satisfactory Not only We're
all the troops assembled within q very
few hours at designated points exactly
at the time specified IN their orders but
they also reported In all Instances
with the complete regular equipment
for winters campaign, The state,
through the Governor, had directed
that each man be furnished at public
expense with warm overshoes ana
wooden gloves the uniform consisted
of the regular service blue, with cam
palgn hat, oyercoat, legglns, ana blue
flannel shirt, while the personal equip
ment consisted further Of half shelter
tent. poncho, two blankets, with the
necessary quantity of warm underwear,
socks and strong, comfortable SHOES
Abundance of tentage was provided or
the conical-wall pattern, style OK
shelter which long experience mas
proven to be well nigh ideal for even
the most rigorous conditions. These
can be thoroughly heated by the small
compact Sibley stove, and where fuel
is as easily obtained as In Carbon coun-
ty. men can be as comfortably housed
under canvas as in the ordinary dwell
ing. In our case, hay or straw was
also supplied In plenty, All these
Dreparations for the comfort OF the
troops were supplemented by caretul,
yet complete arrangements Tor their
subsistence; and as a result of my tWn
personal observation at the various
points where attachments are stationed,
/ am able to say that the private car
used by headquarters Is not
more comfortable as TO warmth thah are
these tent homes of the enlisted men,
nor is there ether complaint, or cause
for compamt as to the wholesomen5sS,
abundanle ana variety Of tie N'll
c,olxed ration. The wealth n up to ms
time has r,en beautiful-lays warm
and sunu,. nights clear and cold, as
might be expected for the time or year.
ant with guard tours of one hour on
and two off during the time between
"taps" and "reveille' with warm teAt
to repair to when not on post there
need be no suffering and there ~ not
ony rpnorts 20 the contrary notwith-
standing As evidence of the fact that
the troops IRE well cared for l may
cite that the hospital record IS almost
a blank. NE altitude seems to excite
slight irritating cough but the lrrlta-
ton Is confined to the throat ana no
lung trouble whatever has appeared
The health Of the command Is better
prt,Gt
which I have attended, and In general
morale and discipline the present tour
is far ahead of any previous service we
have ever had There is the most rigid
observance o. the law and regula tons,
and officers ana men appear fully 10
realize that being under orders To mann
tain the peace preserve order am ifo-
tect life and property. their first duty is
IN avoid even the appearance or any
violation of the law on their own part
Sncb n statement, therefore SO far as
II refers to Il detachment of militia
il concerned. as has appeared IN the
papers over the name OF John Thal TO
Inc effect that at Cleaf Creek De
tachment Of militia accompany every
morning the company's guards III enle1-
inp houses without knocking, grabbing
,he sleeping miner by the leg, and try
inc to intimidate him into going to
work Is so utterly and absurdly false
as TO be almost unworthy OF denial.
I'm conclusion / venture the opinion
,hat at such short notice no little force
ever went into the field better equipped
ana prerared; no troops We're ever more
carefully looked after as to their com.
FORT and health, and that no body OF
militia on similar duty ever behaved
tremse,ycs with greater credit. All Of
which should be a source of satisfac-
zion 10 the relatives and friends OF the
citizen soldiers, as well as n matter OF
real pride to the state.
Very RESPECTFULLY, your obedlent ser
vort' JNO. Q. CANNON.
Brigadier-G General Commanding.