The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-06-20
TRADE IN ARMY GOODS
Authorities in Vancouver Take
Drastic Measures

VANCOUVER, Wash, June 20-The
officers in charge at Vancouver, Wash,
barracks have resolved to put an END
to the wholesale barter and sale OF
army supplies by soldiers to saloon
keepers and second hand dealers.
At Tacoma a few days ago r. H.
Smith of Vancouver was sentenced by
Federal Judge Hanford to pay fine
of $500 for having purchased
blanket from a soldier, who is now
serving a sentence of IS months on
Alcatraz Island for selling the piece
of bedding.
This ariffic in government supplies
has been carried on by soldiers for
years, almost without interference"
said John J. Bradley Of Vancouver,
judge advocate for the department of
the Columbia. But the practice has
reached such proportions that the
military authorities have taken the
matter in hand and propose to punish
not only the dishonest soldiers, but
the INSCRIPTIONS business men who
purchase this stolen property. Sup
plies furnished by the government to
the soldiers, such as blankets, shirts
and shoese, have come to be considered
by many of the soldiers as legitimate
articles for barter and exchange. The
policy of some dealers to pay almost
nothing for these goods has served
only to encourage the soldiers in their
pilfering. Members of some of the
companies at Vancouver have been
known to steal electric light globes
from headquarters. These were readily
exchanged at some of the saloons for
a drink each.
aside from the crime of theft it
self, still greater evil has resulted
from these practices on the part of the
soldiers, aided and abetted by the will
ingness of the liquor dealers and seO-
ond hand men to negotiate for any
thing that is offered them. Knowing
he can readily dispose of supplies,
particularly clothing, the soldier will
overdraW his clothing allowance from
the government until he finds himself
in the governments debt $40 or 500,
and then, when he is called an account
ing and faces the punishment that is
in store for him for the offense he in
variably deserts. No other one cause
is more responsible for assertions
from the post at Vancouver than this
very thing"
The case of Smith, which was dis
posed of at Tacoma, following a Wig
orous prosecution on the part of the
authorities, attracted atten-
ton because Of the StubbOrnness OF
the defense, and the efforts made to
tlwart the determination of the gov
eminent to secure a conviction. The
case was tried before jury, Which
returned a verdict of guilty. A motion
for new trial was OVerruled by Judge
Fanford, who promptly imposed the
fine.
In passing sentence. Judge Hanford
remarked that although the law was
a severe one, there was good reason
for it's enforcement, since there is
nothing so demOralizing to the militia
service as the illegal traffic in soldiers
clothing, causing as it does loss of
property to the government and neces-
stating the punishment of the soldier
The defendant employed Judge A. L.
Miller of Vancouver, and c. E. Bates
of Tacoma, as attorneys. The statute
forbids the receiving of such property
even as gift, and imposes a maximum
punishment of five years in the penl-
Tertiary or a fine of $4,000 or both for
its violation.
The military authorities are much
gratified over the conviction obtained,
and believe the market for stolen
army property will no longer exist
with such severe punishment the GER
tain result. Recently J. M. Flynn of
Vancouver, Wash, was sentenced to
pay fine of $3.50 for similar Of
tense, ana L. Mazeurtsky was also in
dicted, but committed suicide before
trial.