Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-07-01

OFFICERS PREPARE TO
POLITELY IGNORE EDIc1
VIII Keep Private Stocks in Lockers
and Soc to II Order is Not Enforced
drinking Will Be Done on tho Quiet
Army Officers Write Letter to the
Navy Advising Use of Grape Juice.

iels famous order banishing intoxi-
cants from the navy went into effect
today. 1t not only abolishes the tradi-
tional wine mess of the officers but
bars all alcoholic liquors from every
ship and shore station of the navy.
Beginning today any officer found in
possession of alcoholic liquor on board
ship or at any naval station will be
guilty Of misconduct. Commanding Of
ticers will be held directly responsible
for the enforcement of the dry edict."
Considerable speculation was peins
indulged in as to how officers would
accept the new order of things They
were amazed at the time the order was
announced in April. Secretary Daniels
has said that reasonable construction
was to be placed on the order. This
was taken to mean that If any liquor
happened to be on board vessel on
foreign service. including those in
Mexican waters. a reasonable time
would be given in which to unload it.
On all naval reservations and on ships
in home waters. however. 1t was ex-
pected that the lid would be on tight
at once.
Not Funny Joke.
Naval officers have made good use
OF the three months they have had in
which to think over Mr.. Daniels pro-
hibition propaganda. Army officers
have stimulated their brains to fever
ish activity by their merry jests up
on matter which the navy regards as
about as funny as funeral.
After endless discussion the COM
missioned officers of the navy have
ttacftly agreed npon this course of ac.
ton; the; grapesj juice order will be con-
formed with to the extent Of abolish
ing the wine messes. Each officer will
keep in his own room such an assort-
ment of liquors as his particular fancy
dictates and he will consume them at
such times and in such quantities as
he sees fit.
Officers Plan to Evade Order
Outwardly the order of the secretary
will be strictly complied with. In real
ity it will be treated as nom existent.
The navy considers it ridiculous and
has decided that private locker sys-
tenn will be no violation of navy reg
ulation and is not to be considered as
such.
AS the order throws the onus OF en-
forcement entirely upon the command
ing officers, other commissioned Off
GERS under them have agreed not to
put it up to the captains" too strong
!y In other words. they will keep and
consume their liquor just as usual, but
pains will be taken to make it so un-
obstrusive that commanding officers
need not know of it officially. 1t will
not be etiquette for the executive offi-
Ger to say to the captain. Won't you
drop into my room and have a little
something's"
Army Officers Grub X In"
The officers of the navy yard here
were wrought up because of letter
which certain army officers COLA
borated on at the Officers Club at West
Point and mailed in a mourning en-
velope with a border of black nearly
half an inch deep. The letter in part
read:
"rhe officers mess at West Point,
feeling the deepest sympathy for their
brother officers in the naval service at
this time and wishing to show material
proof of their genuine sympathy
have furnished and set apart
room ut the Oficeds' Club
here for the sole use of commissioned
officers of the navy visiting us. Access
to this room may be had by secret
stairways."
The letter went on to say that Of
course only grape juice, lemonade. and
similar beverages could be served navy
officers in the card and reception
rooms; also that beds would be placed
in rooms adjacent to the navy drinking
room where the visiting officers could
compose themselves and recover from
the stupefying effects of cocktail or