Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-09

soldiers under the supervision of officers.
who simply act as checks or as inspectors
to see that things go straight.
We encourage the men to organize sing
ing clubs, amateur theatricals and other
tertainments in which they take a great in
terest and considerable talent is sometimes
developed. They have their own commit
tees looking after these things, which is a
healthful diversion; and the institute is the
headquarters of all of their sporting organ
izations and committees. The officers of
the barracks never go there unless they
are invited. but when the men give an en-
tertainment every officer and his family at
tend and furnish as much assistance as
possible
Colonel De Barthe showed me the rules
for the government of these Institutes,
which NAV be found in paragraph 65S of the
army regula tons for India, and begin with
the words: I'm order to promote the COM
fort and provide for the rational amuse-
ment of non commissioned officers and men,
to supply them with good articles at rea-
sonable prices and to organize and MAINTAIN
the means for indoor recreation, regl-
mental institute shall be provided, etc. IL
is then provided that there shall be a libra
ry reading rooms games and recreation
rooms theater or entertainment nan,
refreshment room and a separate room LOT
the use of and under the exclusive 1urlsolc-
ton of the Army Temperance Association.
The reading room is to be furnished with
library and the amusement room with
piano; card playing is permitted In ths
recreat ton room but not for money or othef
stakes of value; the discussion OF rengious
and political subjects within the institute is
forbidden, and religious exercises are not
allowed to be conducted in the ouldihg ex-
cept in the room Of the Army temperance
Association.
Eligibility to Admission.
Every non-commssioned officer and prl-
vate is entitled to the use of the institutes
except when excluded for profane or other
improper language, for intoXicatlon or
other misconduct, for such time as the
committee in charge shall deem adVlsaple.
The management of the institute is IN
trusted to several committees of non-com-
missioned officers and soldiers and an ad-
yisory committee of three or more ofiicers.
These committees have control OF all sup
plies receipts and expenditures, the pres
eryation of order, the enforcement OF the
rules and are enjoined to make the lns,l-
tute as attractive possible. commit
fee of three of whom the chairman must
be sergeant, is authorized to purchase
supplies: an inventory of the stock must De
taken once month; there may De CO.
operative store if deemed advisable by the
commanding officer, at which groceries,
provisions and general merchandise may
be sold to the men at cost prices reason
able: liquor may be sold in a separate
room of limited dimensions, under the SUI
pervision of committee of which SER
geant is chairman, and that committee, by
assigning good reasons, has the power TO
forbid it's sale to any person for any
length of time. No spirituous liquor ex-
cept rum can be kept or sold; that must
be of the best quality, and no more than
one dram may be sold to any person within
the hour, and only one quart of malt liquor.
Besides these aerated waters and other
soft drinks" must be provided, with cof-
fee tea, sandwiches and other refresh
ments as required.
The profits of the institute may be de-
voted to the library reading room and rec
reation department, the purchase of gym
nastic apparatus etc, and articles for the
soldiers mess, and may be contributed to
the widows and orphans fund If so de-
termined by the patrons of the institution.
That, In short, is the means used by the
Indian government to promote temperance
and morality in its army, and everyone who
has had experience and knowledge of the
practical operation of such affairs approves
them. In addition to the institutes de-
scribed, the Army Temperance Association,
which is entirely unofficial and composed
of benevolent people in private life, has es-
tablished in several of the large cities of
India, where garrisons are stationed SOL
diers' clubs, which also proved very eff
and other parts of the cities frequented by
soldiers and where the most mischief is
usually DONE
They are clubs pure and simple, with
reading and writing rooms, games, music.
restaurants, billiards. rooms and bars at
which rum beer, ale and other liquors are
sold. There Is also a devotional room, In
which religious meetings are held at stated
times. These clubs are managed by pri-
vate individuals in connection with commit
tees of non-commissioned officers and en-