New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-07
Secretary Garrison Says tie
viii Mind His Own
Business.
OFFICERS DISCOUNTED
AT ANTI-LIQUOR RULE
Question Of Hospitality to Those
from Other Vessels Is
Involved.
IRON The Tribune Bureau

washington, April 8. - The most
pointsd comment made to-day ON the
order Of the Secretary Of the Navy
sbo,,shing wine messes aboard ships
and At navy yards and stations came
from the Secretary OF War when ne
was asked II he contemplated any such
step regarding army posts Secretary
Garrison said:
"vrhen 7 was a boy my father pointed
ont 10 me a man who got rich through
minding his own business. nave al
rvs tried TO follow his example"
Further than that Mr.. Garrison
would not 90, but it was clear that ne
had no intention OF following Mr.
Danielss example. General Gorgas'
SURGEON general Of the army, was
quoted as supporting the naval order'
and Il was said that he might recon-
mend that the same thing be done IN
the army. He said this afternoon now
ever. that ne contemplated nothing OF
the sort. He thinks that drinking Is
had for any man. but he is not IN FAVOR
Of imposing restrictions.
The exile of John Barleycorn from
American ships and naval stations
after Julv / caused much discussion IN
Washington to-day. In naval circles
there was caustic comment and even
charges that the Secretary Of the Navy
IS playing politics. Mr.. Daniels said the
question had long been troubling him'
and most officers would obey the oroer'
he said he had talked with many doc
tors Of the navy, on board their ships
and particularly with Surgeon General
Rraisted. and that he had found that
the elimination Of the wine messes
undoubtedly would prove beneficial
Too Much Drinking Now.
There Is too much drinking in the
navy. in the Secretary's opinion al
though he declares that It is not eN-
cessiye. What touches Mr. Daniels
most he explains, is that youngsters
in the service learn to drink aboard the
ships OF the navy. This is the evil ne Is
irving to eradicate.
II is evident that the order must De
modified in some cases. When there are
official functions, at which foreigners
ara being entertained, It will be neces-
sary TO lift the embargo. Mr.. Danieis
Uoulds not say what he would 90 III
such Instances. The surgeon general Oh
the navy. upon whose report the sec
retarv based his order, suggested thau
the regulation be modified IN case OF
official entertainments. But there are
officers who wonder If the head OF the
denartment will actually issue an order
which will virtually direct that liquor
he served aboard an American snip
under am circumstances. in view OF the
fac+ that temperance organizations are
sure to recognize no special circuin-
stances and Will protest.
Another question concerns the I'D
.rtv Of officers TO have spurious
pouors in their homes at navy yards
\
and stations Mr.. Daniels mace II GEAR
that they shall not have this. AS 10
oeacsrs who occupy quarters rented by
the government outside government
reservations, Mr.. Daniels had nothing
10 say. Under a strict Interpretation OF
fhe new order It might be improper TOT
officers living in washington OF wnom
there are many, to have LIQUOR in their
houses or apartments
Means Beers, Too
Mr.. Daniels was asked whether the
order referred only 10 hard liquor
whiskey, brandy and so forth-and
whether beers and light wines could
stl be consumed aboard the ships ana
On the wards. He said his order did not