The times., 1897-11-18
THE CANTEEN EUL0GEED
Adult. Gen. Breck's Apotheosis
Of the Federal Dispensary.
AFTER THE EUROPEAN MODE
The Net Profits of Post Exchanges
Used to Improve the Soldiers Bill
of Fare-A Strong Appeal for
More Artillery and More Infantry
Regiments.

AGJt. Gen. Breck has made his annual
reports to the Secretary of War and TO
Major Gen. Miles, commanding the army.
The following extracts from the report TO
tie Secretary are of interest:
bill to Teorganize the line of the army,
eVc., increasing the artillery by two regt-
nents and each infantry regiment by two
companies, was introduced in Congress dur
ing the first session Of The Fnty-rourth Con-
gress IS. 2202 and III. K. 5S35l and favor
ably reported by the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs, It's title being changed to
"A bill TO provide a modern organization
Tor the line OF the Army" / have been
informed that IL was also fayoTabIy CON
sIdered by the Military Committee of the
House OF Representatives. II is still pend
ing before Congress and mas heretofore been
strongly recommended by the commanding
General of the A rmy and by the Secretary
OF War. IL is an absolutely necessary pro-
vision Tor the preservation, care, and Use
OF our SeacoasJ armament and, as an III
uispensaDIe preparation 10 meet emer-
gencies of the country's service as they
arise, as they are certain TO do, L recon-
mend tnat The passage or thus bill be urged
upon Congress.
In his report to Gen. Miles, the adjutant
general has this to say on the interesting
sublect Of canteens, euphemistically styled
post exchanges:
The post exchange continues to fulfill
in satisfactory manner the purposes for
which II was created. Devised eight years
ago as a substitute for the post trader
store, whose discOntinuance had been de
ctded 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 10
It's value. Originally modelled after the
plan OF CanUeens ia European armies with
DeN NeFages as prominent feature, it mas
progressively ninimized this feature and
established position that is peculiarly
Its own, in supplying the wants OF the
soldier 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 andrecrea ton rooms,
gymnasia, etc.
Tne capital with which these esta bIish-
ments are organized ana conducted the
equipment, and in several cases the build
nB al winch JHey are located, are virtually
the property OF the soldiers themselves
ana the net profits derived from the buSi-
ness are tnus returned TO them through
the company funds, which a re expended Tor
their benefit. Eeyund the time Of an Cffi-
Ger TO superintend the business and the
services OF a lew enlisted men as attend
ants at some EOsts, these exchanges are con
uucted WITHOUT expense TO the GUI ernment
which also has no peCmiary Tesponsibility
for the business.
During the year ending June 30, 1897,
the aggregate receipts of the seventy
five exchanges IN operation III the army
amounted 10 81 900, ,4S5. II there was on
hand in cash on the 30th OF June, 1896,
S54,977. 43; and there was received as
money on deposit, 81 81 4IS46S, making
the total amount OF money received, ST.,
81 5,64T 81. There was expended for
merchandise purchased, rent, fixtures anu
repairs, and expenses OF operation, 81
2o7, ,lO4.47; which, less deposits. gave
net profit OF 1894, 35S 81. From this
amount there was donated to the funds OF
the several regtmental bands, SS ,62I.91;
to the maintenance OF post gardens, S4,-
1924 as prizes for the encouragement OF
athletic sports, $751; 58. "a; and, after
setting aside the sum OF $l17,739.0S, as
d reserve fund to meet anticipated ex-
penses for at least one month, there was
returned to the members in the form of
dividends the sum OF $255,I64O1.
The net value of these exchanges. that
is TO say the balance of their combined as
sets over their liabilities, was, on June
80, 1897, S259,147 %.