The broad ax., 1907-09-28
WASHINGTON LETTER
Tupeclal correzpondenea.l

ne annual report OF Major General A
". ureely, commanding the northern
division. which includes the depart
ments Of the lakes. the Dakotas and
Missouri
This factor General Greedy says
h 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
d characterized as a coroIlaEy Of the
small pay.
The Pay Of Soldiers.
General GreeIy 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 ex.
tent OF selling beer. He recommends
that the pay proper to all enlisted men,
except recruits Of less than one years
service, be increased from 20 to 90
per cent, and that the minimum penal
u for desertion should never be less
than the unexpired term Of enlistment.
General Greedy urges the necessity
Of materially increasing the pay OF Of
hcers and declares that unless 1t Is
contemplated the army shall be Of
fcered from an aristocracy Of wealth.
for an officers position is fast becom-
ing impossible for a man without pri-
vate income, increased pay should be
given him. He says the minimum In
fantry strength should be fifteen regi-
ments, but If duty In Cuba and on the
isthmus is to be part OF the army
work It should be twenty regiments.
Army Ration Criticised.
General Greely holds that the army
ration, while excellent In quality and
doubtless Of sufficient nutriuive value,
in quantity and variety does not salts
fy the American soldier.
He suggests that various edfbles
found on every American table, even
of the poorest people, are entirely
lacking in the army ration, although
they appear on the naval list.
May Change Army Uniform.
The plan to provide the enlisted men
Of the army with a more serviceable
uniform is engaging the attention Of
officials Of the war department. This
subject has been agitated for some
time, and the need Of a uniform more
practical for everyday service purposes
is gradually becoming more apparent.
Various recommendations are made
by officials Of the department as to
the style to be adopted. Colonel L. II.
Maus, who has had much experience
with soldiers in the field, believes that
the present regulation felt hat is not
adapted for campaigning purposes in
hot or tropical climate. The infantry
marching trousers, he declares, should
be made full around the knees and the
Gun extended down the leg far enough
to be inclosed by the top Of the march
ing shoe, thus doing away with the
Logging.
Government Workers Organize.
The Government Employees Mutual
Relief and Cooperative association has
been launched by employees Of the
national government In this city, and
plans are now being perfected for the
permanent organization OF the associa-
don.
Only employees Of the United States
government szd Of the government of !
the District Of Columbia, employed
within the District, are entitled to
membership. It Is proposed to estab-
lish an insurance department, whereby
q member can obtain insurance protec- |
don based upon the plan OF "old line" |
lie insurance companies without hay
ing to pay the charge Of those compa-
MES for agents commissions, mainte- |
nance, etc. The policies VIII have guar |
Rntee cash surrender and loan values |
and VIII offer al Of the advantages Of |
the policy OF q regular insurance COM
pany-insurance protection to be ex-
tended to life. health, accident and old |
Rge insurance.
To Establiss Savings Bank.
Il Is also proposed to establish a
savings bank building association, In 1
which the reserve necessary to protect |
he insurance policies in force win be
invested and which win be required
b earn Per cent interest. It q pro-
posed TO lend money to members Of the
association On proper security at a
tate in excess Of tie required earn
ngS as WIN pay the operating ex-
Ienses Of the bank.
Other features WIN Be added from
Tine 70 time as good business methods
iirect A two-fhirds vote Of the total
membership is necessary Cor the cleo
Ion q officers. an Of whom are to Be
1onded
Homage 20 the President.
The new union railroad station here
xm Be supplied with q unique feature
q special entrance and reception
'ocm for the president Of the United
states. he presidents entrance Is an
lrehway q marble thirty feet in
zidEh.
On slighting from HIS carriage be.
leafh Il tie foremost cisizan Of thu M |
ian win step into q ysstfbuIe Of noble