New-York tribune., 1909-06-12
4RMY md NAVY NOTES.
Var Department Not to Interfere
zeith officers Messes.
From The Tribune Bureau.I

Washington, June Il
ATTACKED BY REFoRMERs,-Arny officers
,,,asses which exist most military posts for
~. o,,,.enierce OF unmarried officers, who band to-
eether fer economical subsistence, are the object
of attack By organization Of reformers VINO
make their headquarters in Washington and en-
plov Wilbur F Crafts. This organization. led by
Mr. Crafts together with the Woman's Christian
Ter,nerance Union, was responsible for the legisla-
tion which abolished the canteen feature OF the
exchange at all army posts. II has now turned
s attention TO the officers meSses, and has alleged
that al these places wines and liquors are dis
rarsad in violation of the which prohibits the
sale of alcoholic beverages within the limits of
military reservation The reformers intend TO wage
hattie or the army officers messes, and II is un-
deretood that they contemplate going TO Congress
M the next session for amendment 70 the ex-
tsting law which will hit the officers messes quite
as hard as they hit the canteen. which in real
ity the club Of the enlisted men of the army
The officers messes have all the characteristics
Of n private home. Army officers who join these
noesses and take their meals there considered
nv the War Department entitled 10 the protec-
ton any person has in his own home II it is de-
sired to indulge in beer, wine or alcoholic
drinks of any sort the War Department officials
consider they have right TO interfere so long
as such INDULGENCE does not capactate an officer
for duty There are measures by which an officer
can be reached in the way Of reprmand or other
punishment when he drinks to excess. 1t Is said
that there is comparatively little drinking at such
places as there are members of the messes who
are teetotalers. The drinking is only such ot1S
GERS individually desire and pay for. Secretary
Dickinson has refused 10 interfere in this mat
ter He considers that the anti-canteen law
does not apply TO the officers messes any more
than it does 10 members of officers family in
their home and there will be orders regula-
tions issued from the War Department interfering
with individual liberty of army officers
This will doubtless prove unsatisfactory to the
reformers whose activity has not lessened the feel
ing In the army against the organization 1t is
maintained by most army officers. including some
total abstainers that the canteen was a beneficial
institution. contributing in substantial degree
to the contentment, morality and the efficiency OF
the enlisted force. The results of the absence of
the canteen have been detrimental. 1t is possible
that the attitude of army officers who have urged
the restoration Of the canteen and have in some
instances unreservedy criticised those responsible
for anti-canteen legislation has inspired the
formers to an attack which seeks TO interfere with
the liberty of the officers messes. The announce
ment of this campaign will be received at army
posts with personal feeling. The War Department
will do nothing in the matter.
ORDERS IssUED-The following orders have
been issued:
Major FREDf3fIck NJ HARTsocK. medica! corps from
First Lieutenant BENJANIN o. DAVIS. 10th Caya.ry.
detailed with LIST separate Battalion National Guard Guard
Wqshins1on Aggqst 9 y to 7E.RSy medical re
serve corps honorably discharged from service OF
First Lieutenant WILLIAM A. ALFONIE lSt4 IN
fantry. general hospital Preside Of san Fran
cisco. report by letter 70 commanding general De
partment OF the Colorado for assignment 10 n sta
lion pending arrival OF his regiment,
First Lieutenant " CHURCH GRIsWoLD. medical re
See Sfe Majdr jPs FRANK { BAKER medical corps
Fort Mnultre
First Iiputenant THOMAS G HOLMES medical reserve
corps Philippines san Francisco. thence 10
his home
First lieutenant JOSEPH o MAUBosGNE to Sd IN
fantry.
Leaves of absence: Captain GEORGE 2 BALL 10Th
Infantry one month. Captain JAY P. HOPKINS.