The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-25
Fairmont, MIMI. Feb. %.
Military Post Exchanges.

To the Editor Of The Journal. 49,
Readers of 7 h e J ournal who are
aware of the appropriation by congress-
June 80, 1902, of 100000, and that of
100000 the following year, for the con-
struction, maintenance and equipment of
suitable buildings at military posts and
stations, for the conduct of the post ex-
change school, library, reading, lunch.
amusement rooms and 2gymnasiuns will
be interested to know the disposition of
the appropria TONS ~ -.
This is given in a letter from the serTH-
tary of state which Is in print as H. :,
and states that the information Is give. =,
answer to inquiries from members of the
house Of Representatives and Others
Schedule E. page II, shows the sum
allotted for buildings under one appro-
priation Of half million dollars in the
year 1903 to be $4s2. 705 for twenty -nife
forts, the largest amounts being $40. 00C
each for Fort Logan. Col, Fort Ny
ers, Va. and -Presidia, Cal, which is
the extreme limit Of expenditure for any
one fort as fixed by the bill. Fort Ethan
Allen. vt. has as it's allotment $3S, 916
Fort Smelling, Mimi. s34 -076; Fort Leaven-
worth, Kan, s34.s7o and the others haye
lesser amounts, the average being sl7, 900
The Fort Smelling building was com
pleted and occupied Dec. %, 1903. five 9th
/ ers in: January, seven Will be finished in
/ February and others at later dates
recent exchange gives cut and
plans Of the fine new building to be com
pleted April 1 at Fort Myers, with gym
nasium, bowling alley shooting gallery,
lunch room, reception room, etc. 81:
1t is estimated that the provision Of post
Eexchange buildings at the 1870 posts of the
United States army will cost ultima tely
s2,6o0+ 600. and even now in the appropria-
ton bill before the senate, read twice and
freferred to the committee on military af-
fairs. is an item providing $500. 900 more
FLOR the military post exchange, not more
than $4,000 to be expended at any one
post or station -.
New buildings for which allotments have
been made for 1904 funds are, with few
exceptions, now being advertised, and the
excepted cases will be advertised within
ten days. 80
The anticanteen bill became law Feb.
2, 1901. On the 10Th Of the same month
Congressman Gallinger offered an amend
ment prepared Jointly by Congressman
Littlefeld. General A. S. Daggett, 'a vet
/ eran Of four years with forty years of
actual service, rand Rev. e. c. Dinwiddie,
superintendent Of legislation for the anti
saloon league. For various reasons the
appropriation could not then be SECURED,
but the anticanteen friends were success
full in 1902 as stated at the beginning of
I this article.
Having secured the appropriations these
advocates of a noble policy rejoice in the
knowledge that a reasonable number of
building have been completed Knowing
he?demoralizing tendencies Of soldier life
and lits, need of elevating influences, the
canteen enemies see in this a practical
demonstration Of the power of our nation
for good, and believe no better invest
ment could be made. The canteenS plan
of allowing the soldier small percentage
OF. his beer money is So de-
soldiers real good as to be
unworthy of the present enlightened age.
The righteminded people of this country
stand ready to contribute generously to
whatever makes and keeps our soldiers
pure and strong. May not this onward
step be a prophecy of the. time when sin
shall not be licensed to trap unwary feet,
when it shall be thought Drawer and more
statesmanlike to make it easy to do right
and hard to do wrong? '' a M. e. H.