The sun., 1890-01-03
Tho Trader and the Canteen.

Secretary PRocToR's purpose In his recent
memorandum about army cNpteens is clear.
Observing that the post traders have deter
mined not to give up their old privileges
without q hard fght, he defends the policy
of the War Department In displacing them.
Eleven months ago the department an
nounced its purpose to favor the canteen in
stead OF the trader, and the consequence has
been the establishment Of canteens in
largo majority Of the garrisons. Both the
traders whose occupation Is already gone
and those who fenr that 1t will soon go nave
organized league. engaged counsel and
will hold meeting In Washington next
week to appeal to Congress. Secretary
PROCTOR has accordingly anticipated them
by issuing a statement which sets forth the
advantages Of the oanteen, and defends the
War Department from any charge OF injus-
tice In preferring 1t to tho traders store.
A canteen, In the meaning Of the regula-
tions, Is q soldiers cooperative amusement
and refreshment room! 1t provides the en-
listed men with lunches, coffee and ten. beer
and light wines, tobacco and cigars. 1t adds
stationery and various small stores such as
garrisons need. 1t also provides q reading
room, with outfit Of newspapers and maga-
zines, and tables for playing cards, chess.
and other games. In many cases ID goes
further and fits up o bowling alley and
gymnasium, or billiard tables and pool
tables. Where some Of these amusements
are already supplied by the fund OF com"
pany, regiment, or post, the canteen often
acquires the outfit by just appraisement
and carries on the business. The new post
canteens, established under the War Depart
ment regulations OF nearly year ago, have
also usually taken the place OF company,
troop, or battery canteens which had existed
successfully long before,
It's easy to sec why the prosperity OF the
canteen Ia the destruction OF the traders
commerce. In some cases the latter has
given up the fight at once; In others. this re-
suit Is only q question Of months. The CO.
operative canteen, managed by the Officers
and men, starts with all the advantage
Of eliminating the traders profits, which
are proverbially large, and the moro 30
because their rate was established In times
when tho transportation OF goods to dis
tant garrisons was costly and often at
much risk. The Government gives the
canteen the use Of empty buildings or OF
classmates for its purposes, and also aids 1t
in other ways. The reports from many gar
risons during the last year show that the
canteen distributes to the men who support
it large dividends that would otherwise go to
the trader, and that it charges lower prices.
Still more emphatic is the testimony
that drunkenness has been decreased by
the establishment Of the canteen and
better order maintained. "The supply
Of beer" says Lieut-Col. POLAND at Fort
| Sidney, "has had the effect OF reducing the
use of ardent liquors. probably Of poor quail
| ity at that, 80 easily obtained In the ada
cent town." Lieut.. BLUNT, at Fort Wads-
worth, testihss that excessive drinking has
diminished" and that when the men do
drink to excess, as sometimes happens. 1t
confines tho knowledge and disgrace to our
own limits, and the offenders can be dealt
with before they harm themselves or others." 7"
The post traders will accordingly have
uphill work in trying to check the growth
of the canteen. Some off1cers still prefer the
traders store; but the advantage OF the
canteen for the enlisted men Is manifest.
| What the traders will no doubt aim at Is
indemnity for their Investments. Secretary
PROCTOR admits that they are entitled to
compensation for the buildings they have
erected at military posts. and will not resist
an appropriation by Congress for the pur-
chase Of such buildings.
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