Omaha daily bee., 1906-08-13
COOK ARGUES FOR CANTEEN
senior Vice Commander Of @. A. R. Voices
His Sentiments.
SAYS ABOLITION CAUSES INTEMPERANcE
Indignation of Ola Soldiers Expected
20 Find Expression at National
EncamPment At Minneapolis
in scathinE ResoIutions.


WASHINGTON. Aug 12-(speeisl. THE
adjustment OF the canteen at national SOL
diers' homes by congress has created an
outburst OF Indignation on the part OF the
old soldiers which in all probability will
find expression in a scathing resolution
when the national encampment OF the
Grand Army OF the Republic lie held at
Minneapolis next week.
The commander-in-chief Of the Grand
Army Of the Republic, Corporal Tanner Is
out in a strong protest against the action
OF congress In removing the canteen from
the several national soldiers homes
throughout the United States and from
state homes where national aid is given
Letters are coming in from all over the
United States in opposition to adjustment
OF the canteen. General George w. Cook.
senior vice commander-in-chief of the
Grand army Of the Republic. of Colo
RADIO, who entered the army and did
bis part in the preservation Of the union
at the tender age of IL Is vehemently
opposed 10 the action OF congress ex-
presses himself as follows: with the sale
OF liquor regulated by the commandant Of
the home, there were few complaints OF
intemperance or unmanly conduct and
drinking in moderation was the rule Now
the veteran who Is inclined to be con-
vivial il subject TO no check or restraint.
As soon as he receives his quarterly PEN
sion check he leaves the reservation and
falls a victim to the dives and doggeries
that always flourish in the vicinity of our
homes His time is beguiled through the
Establishments Of women and the strains OF
music until the old soldier Is stupefed
with vile liquor and his pockets are empty.
Then he IL thrown out to lie In the gutter,
until cold. rheumatism or pneumonia sends
him TO the hospital ward 20 increase the
expenses of the home. Corporal Tanner,
our commander-in-chief, does not touch
LIQUOR, and therefore cannot be accused Of
partially for the liquor traffic. He stands
unequivocally for the canteen.
THE habits OF the old soldier are fixed.
II Is too late in life to attempt any reform
in that direction. We are confronted by a
condition that must be met, and the sooner
we recognize that fact the better for all
concerned. II by sbolishing the canteen
we abolish the consumption OF liquor, then
the movement would have some merit, but
there is not a single argument to recon-
mend H. The subject will he one of the
chief topics at the fortieth national en-
campment at Minneapolis. and / expect to
see the Grand Army 90 on record against
the pharasaical system Of driving our old
comrades to the doggeries and deadfalls
of unoonscionable dive-keepers.
II have always taken the position that II
was a mistake to abolish the canteen at
posts Of the United States army, and every
officer, from general to corporal, with
whom have discussed the matter has ex-
pressed himself along these lines. OF
course, the Grand Army has nothing to
do with this, but the issue ia the same.
and regulations rather than prohibition
should apply to both"
1t Is generally agreed that II Is a shame
to treat a man whose habits of life are
fixed. who is on the shady side and whose
life-tenor is but Of short duration, like the
I civil war veteran, as II he were an yn-
thinking child, and makes the soldier feel
and many times act like a culprlt. His
manhood is taken away and his self-respect
I is lost and he Sits into conditions which.
according to the weight of testimony.
, would be wholly different were he per-
mitted to purchase his beer and his light
drinks at the canteen instead OF the dives
: that in very, large measure surround the
military reservations on which soldiers
homes are located.
Major Rathbone's Case.
What has come to be known las the
American Dreyfus" case. that OF Estes @.
Rathbone former director general OF posts
OF Cuba, gives promise OF being the sub
iect Of an official investigation at the
hands of congress during the next session.
Mr. Rathbone, 1t will be recalled was ac-
cused of high crimes and misdemeanors
while acting in the capacity OF director
general OF posts OF Cuba in 1900, which
resulted In his conviction and sentence for
a term OF Imprisonment and fine in April
1909. Later he was released under a gen.
eral amnesty act to all American citizens
by the Cuban congress. Since his free
dom was granted him Major Rathbone has
haunted the halls Of congress In an en-.
deavor to secure an oficial investigation
OF his, acts while serving as the representa-
tive OF the American government In Cuba
TO the end that justice may be done him
The late Marcus A. Hanna who wa.
succeeded in the senate by Charles Dick
was a staunch believer in Rathbone's limo
cenee and did all he could to bring about
an Investigation as TO the charges made
against Rathbone by General Leonard
Wood Hanna however, with all hfs abIl
ity and the power which he possessed coulC
never get the senate to sanction an in
vestigation. Senator Dick. taking up tn,
work where his lamented Predecessor lef
on succeeded in getting a resolution
through the, senate providing for tn
printing Of the petition In the case o
Rathbone and all accompanying paper
and this pamphlet containing every fea
AID ! sHtEL a