Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-12-05
OFFICERS AND FAMILIES STA.
TONED IN WASHINGTON STIR.
RID OVER RECENT CRUSADE.
FEDERAL MONEY SPENT
FOR PRIVATE CARRIAGES
is Buying and Feeding Carriage
Horses and Polo Ponies For Private
Use Of Officers and Families-coast
ArtilIerymen's Special Have Fsvors
Especial Correspondence

Especial Correspondence
Washington. Dec. 5.-Army officers
and the members of their families are
stirred as they have not been stirred in
many years as the result of q crusade
launched in Washington against the
use of government horses and carriages
by officials attached to the war depart
ment. The crusade, the origin OF which
is shrouded in mystery, is directed par
ticularly against officers attached to
the quartermaster's department. In
typewriter statements which have
been furnished 10 the newspapers In
Washington and to the correspondents
OF out-of-town newspapers it is declar-
ed that "a mere cursory examination
into this matter here in Washington
has revealed a condition of affairs that
is startling to any one not conversant
with what is going on under the war
department and shocking 10 the moral
sense of all right minded men"
Thus far the person or persons be-
hind the crusade have succeeded in
concealing their Identity. altho the let
tiers circulated in Washington state
that the movement is being promoted
by a few public spirited citizens Of
New York who have formed an assoc
citation with headquarters al Washing
ton II is declared that a thoro in
quiry is being made on behalf Of the
associa ton by a former military Off
Ger.
Private Rigs at Public Expense.
Among the specific charges of the
association are the following:
That the quartermasters depart
ment of the army is and has been buy
ing and maintaining illegally at the
public expense large numbers OF car
rage horses. carriages and carriage
harness: that these carriages, horses.
and harnesses are being used daily by
officers of the army and their wives and
daughters for strictly private and per-
sonal use: that these turnouts. many
Of them hearing upon their panels the
legend 7 S. @. NJ Dept IN letters
large enough to be seen but small
enough not to be too conspicuous. are
daily seen on the streets of Washington
driving 10 and from the homes of these
officers and the quartermaster's stables
az the foot of Nineteenth street: that
these carriages are used by the families
Of army officers each morning TO car
~ them to market and for shopping
purposes in the down town streets, to
pay calls, attend receptions. teas and
matinees in the afternoon, and to go
to dinners. the theater, hops. etc. in
the evening. thus keeping out into all
hours Of the day and night government
horses and coachmen. thereby doing
great injustice to the employees and i'm
posing hardships on men in an unde-
tensibie position who are unable to help
themselves in the matter.
Appropriation Misappied.
That the appropriation for trans
portaton of the army and Its supplies
Is being grossly misapplied TO the pur-
poses not covered by the wording or
intent of the acts Of congress appro-
pria.ing money for that object. From
money appropriated for specific objects
purchases are made by the officers OF
the uuarterrna ster's department for the
private use of officers and their fam
lilies, Of carriage horses. carriage har-
ness and equipments. and carria ges and
eouippages: that in order to deceive.
these equipages are styled station
wagons wagonettes, carryal!s, etc. so
a. TO hide their true character as car
riages for private and personal use;
that these carriages are driven by
coachmen carried on the rolls as team
sters. etc. in order no. to disclose
their real occupation: that the services
of these coachmen and the hostlers and
s,abie.nen required for the care Of these
horses. carriages. etc. are paid from
the above mentioned appropriations:
that the aggregate Illegal cost of this
practice amounts annually to hundreds
Of thousands OF dollars.
Polo Ponies Purchased.
This disposition TO misapply funds
committed to their care is shown by
numerous attempts on the part of the
officers Of the army to purchase and
use for private purposes animals and
vehicles for the procurement Of which
there is absolutely no warrant OF law.
The purchase of polo ponies for the
pleasure and amusement Of the officers
and cadets at West Point from the ap-
preparation for horses for cavalry. ar
tillery and engineers is another in
stance in point. The quartermasters
department, however, is not the only
one engaged in this reprehensible prac-
tice; It is merely the greatest offender
by reason OF it's control over appropria-
tons that lend themselves more read
lily to this form Of deception and IL
legality.
Private Boats For Artiilerymen.
"In the coast artillery service the