Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-05
BLAMES SMALL PAY FOR
NUMBER OF DESERTIONS
Commander of Northern Division
Would Restore the Canteen and
Raise Stipend of Soldiers
20 to so Per Cent

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4.-Small pay is
the main reason for desertions from
the army, according to the annual re-
port of Major General A. w. Greedy,
commanding the northern division,
which includes the departments of the
Lakes, the Dakotas and Missouri.
This factor, General Greedy says, is
seconded by the lack of the canteen,
resultant trouble in dives surrounding
the army posts, and the low standard
and general worthlessness of recruits"
The moral deterioration of the recruits
is characterized as a corollary of the
small pay.
General Greely urges increase of pay
of officers and men, a five-year term
of enlistment a material increase in
strength of the infantry, and restora-
tion of the canteen privileges to the
extent of selling beer. He says If the
canteen is not restored that there
should be legislation similarly restrict
ing the use of liquor by all federal
officials and employees. He says 1t is
beyond reasonable doubt that the es-
tablishment of the canteen decreases
drunkenness, and that it's elimination
has largely increased liquor drinking
and dissipation among enlisted men.
Deterioration Is Moral
The QeLerlOrdtlOn IN the STANDARD OIL
recruits appears to be rather moral
than physical General Greedy holds.
General Greedy says that while there
appears to be a general unfavorable
attitude shown toward soldiers in uni
form by civilians, yet 1t does not ap-
pear to be a potent reason for deser-
tion. The remedy, he adds, would be
an extended effort to set clearly before
the country the fact that the average
NJ 4a /, frrla 10 -
American citizenship, superior in ply
sique, in intelligence, and, 1t is be-
lieved, morally, to the average civilian.
He recommends that the pay proper to
all enlisted men, except recruits of less
than one years service, be increased from
20 to so per cent, and that the minimum
peralty for desertion should never be less
than the unexpired term of enlistment.
Officers Also Need Increase
Gen. Greedy urges the necessity of ema-
terially increasing the pay of officers. and
declared that unless 1t is contemplated
the army shall be officered from an aris-
tocrary of wealth. for an officers position
is fast becoming impossible for mar
without private income. increased pay
should be given him. He says the mini
mum infantry strength should be fifteen
regiments, but If duty in Cuba and on the
isthmus is to be part of the army work.
it should be twenty regiments.
Discussing camps Of instruction and post
| schools, he expresses the opinion that
there is a tendency of overeducation, by
books and lectures, both as regards off,
GERS and enlisted men.
Gen. Greedy holds that the army ration,
while excellent in quality and doubtless Of
sufficient nutritive value, in quantity and
variety does not, satisfy the American
soldier when not stlpplemented through
supplies from gardens or post exchange
profits, 1t furnishes only meager. monot-
| onous diet.
| He suggests that various edibles found
on every American table even of the
poorest people, are entirely lacking in the
army ration, although they appear on the
| naval list.