New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-23
LAID TO OFFICERS.
MISUSE OF $4,000.
Money Intended for Soldiers Spent
for Club, Report Says.

The Rev Hervey Wood, field secretary of tho
National Temperance Society. yesterday sent 10
a Congressman who is interested in the societys
work a report which practically declares that there
has been misuse OF the $4,000 which set aside
by the government to provide a counter attraction
to the saloon for the soldiers Governors Island
Mr.. Woods report is based on personal investiga-
ton which he made this week with the Rev. James
Clayton Howard. 1t declares that most of the
money intended for the benefit OF the soldiers has
been spent In fitting club for the officers, and
that than 81 600 has been used in providing
n place OF recreation for the soldiers, to which
the soldiers admitted only few days in the
week
Recently Mr., Wood said to Tribune reporter
yesterday, Il received information that the boys
on Governors Island were grumbling because no
place of amusement mad been provided for them In
place OF the canteen, and wrote to Congressman
in Washington on the subject. He replied, asking
me to make an investigation and send to him
port which he could lay before the War Depart
ment. One day this week went to the island with
Mr. Howard anu made the investigation. 1 nave
sent the report to the Congressman suggesting that
there should be an investigation by committee of
Congress, because If the report merely laid
before the War Department 1t would be put in a
pigeonhole probably and that would be the end or
it. To my mind it is a serious matter that ap-
preparation of money for the benefit of the soldiers
has been diverted to furnish luxurious clubrooms
the officers
The report forwarded to " aShington by Mr.. Wood
contains the following:
The old officers club building at South Fort has
been remodeed and additions built on the side
ing has been fitted up as a bowling alley ana the
hrst or ground floor IS IL reading room
building opened the soldiers were not allowed
ings among the men they have had the use OF the
bowling alley on certain DAYS in the week; me
reading room and library the ground floor is
open to the soldiers ON certain days at other
times non-commissioned officers use II as a school
There is not a library book or magazine or news
The upper part OF the building has been ttted
up as an officers club The rooms are htted up
Billiard tables with ali the necessary fixings;
library and reading room, with tables hlled MMit5
with books. summer dining room and winter
dining room, bathrooms, verandas. etc; Dress
buffers pantry iceboxes and every convenience OF
In the addition built on; we found on the ground
moor roman OdtlolG cI9pel t tt Up, IN Ioad
stairs was large ball and reception, room, waXSo
floors and every comfort This addition ana me
In our estimation not over 5000 or 5000 spent
on certain days of the week There is no gymnasi-
room or library or reading matter or the facil-
ties for any the building. The one so-called read
before reoi has not de-: book or paper in it.
set aside by the Secretary of War Tor oHhiding
for the soldiers as counter attraction to the , sa
ernor's Island.
Brigadier General Frederick D. Grant said last
evening that while the changes in the recreation
building made before he took charge at
Governors Island he did not believe there had
been any misuse OF the money spent there. as all
the plans for the changes were carried out openly.
He did not think it true, he said that the
soldiers kept out of the rooms any day
Of the week. and he understood that they
preparing to have dance and reception in the
| rooms. He understood. he said. that the officers
had less room in the building since the changes
were made than they had before.
The place is open for inspection and inveSti-
! cation at time" General Grant said, land
anybody what goes there. There is
nothing to hide far I aware"