Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-17
ARMY POST EXCHANGES
Interesting Information in the Adiutant
Generals Report.
A Useful Auxiliary to Army Admins
tratiOn, Says General
Brock.

In his annual report Adjutant General
Breck makes the following remarks on the
subject of post exchanges:
The post exchanges continue to fulfill
In a most satisfactory manner the pur-
poses for which ii was created. Devised
eight years ago as substitute for the post
traders store, whose discontinuance has
been decided upon, it has developed into a
very useful auxiliary to army administra-
ton as an aid to discipline, contentment
and good conduct in the army; nearly every
commanding officer bears testimony to it's
value. Originally modelled after the plan
of canteens in European armies, with bev-
erages as prominent feature, it has pro-
excessively minim!Zed this feature and
established position that is peculiarly it's
not met by government supplies, at prices
very little above the cost, the net profits
being used for. the improvement of his
table fare, reading and recreation rooms,
gymnasia, etc. The capital with which
these establishments are organized and
conducted, the equipment. and in several
cases the building in which they are To-
Gated, are virtually the property of the
soldiers themselves. and the net profits de-
rived from the business are thus returned
to them through the company funds, which
are expended for their benefit. Beyond the
time of an officer to superintend the bust
ness and the services of few enlisted men
as attendants at some posts, these ex-
changes are Conducted without expense to
the government, which also has no pecu-
mary responsibility for the business
aggregate Receipts.
During the year ending June 80, 1897, the
aggregate receipts of the seventy-five eX-
changes in operation in the army amounted
to 81 COG. 1871; there was on hand, In cash,
en- the Goth of June, 1896, $54,977.43, and
there was received as money on deposit,
1854 1S4.6S, making the total amount of
money received, $1,S15,647 49, There was
expended for merchandise purchased, rent,
fixtures and repairs, and expenses of opera
tion, 81 .S07 ,1O4.47, which, less deposits, gave
net profit of $780,, 35S.67. From this amount
there was donated to the funds of the sew
era. regimental bands, $S,621.91; to the
maintenance of post gardens, 4,575.94; as
prizes for the encouragement of athletic
sports, 5.15S.24; and, after setting aside
the sum Of SILT. 1905 as reserve fund to
meet anticipated expenses for at least one
month, there was returned to the members
in the form of dividends the sum of $780,
1910
T The net value Of these exchanges-that Is
20 say the balance of their combined assets
over their liabilitfes-was, on June 80 1897,
$3.50 147.2S.
In the experimental stage it was neces-
sary that the stewards and attendants
should be enlisted men, and at isolated
posts. where it is impracticable to find
competent civilians, and at few small
ones, where the business will not justify
their employment. the practice still obtains.
The number of enlisted men thus employed
cent during the past year. and the number
OF civilians correspondingly increased. The
exchanges now employ 1859 civilians, at a
monthly compensation Of So, 1872.