The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-20
THE ozNrEEN IN THE ARMY.
Omcers Generally Commend It rs Having
Good Eject on Enlisted Mon.

WARRINGTON June 19.-The War Depart
ment will tomorrow mako public the replies
from officers Of the army In response to cir
cular sent out some weeks ago by the Secre-
tary Of War calling for reports upon the erect
OF the post canteen In the army. 1t Is pro-
posed by the department to send these reports
to Congress with Secretary Ayers recon-
mendatons regarding tho operation OF the can
teen. There are nearly 900 expressions OF
opinion by army officers. and they are almost
unanimous in their belief that the canteen is
necessary institution In the army War De-
partment OFFICIAL referring to these reports
said to-day that out OF the entire 900 he did
not think there were half dozen favorable to
the adjustment Of the cantecn,
Among those who strongly indorse the can
teen is Gen. Thomas Anderson. who Ia now in
command of the Department OF the Lakes.
Gen. Anderson was in command OF the first
expedition to Manila. and has been In the
regular army since May Z. 1851, when he was
made Second Lieutenant OF cavalry He was
rapidly promoted. and was Colonel OF the
Fourteenth Infantry when the war with Spain
broke out. His observation OF the canteen in
the army extended over long period. and he
said that In his opinion II was not only aproper
S The had eood effect on hs
morality Of the enlisted men and an excellent
effect Ipon the, discipline He believed that
the adoption OF the canteen than before. and
was certain that the gTantinG 81 h privilege TO
s s5iGGnit,y 'e'Se"'d Drunkenness among the
Ali the reports submitted were Of the same
general tenor a. Gen. Anderson's The officers.
in addition to expressing their views. ad-
vanced reasons for CONTINUATION OF tho can
teen. The questions asked by Secretary Algcr
What has been its effect upon the morality Of
the enlisted ment What upon the discpllne2
deSertiOnS Increased lpSSpnpu
introduction 2, Are courts martial more or less
frequent? Has drunkenness increased or
lessenedS Does the opportunity TO- procure
beer IN post or In camps have any effect upon
the efforts OF the. enlisted men to procure in.
toxicants outside? What would be the effect
Of an absolute prohibition Of the sale of beer in
hE@n or yop IN favor Of fe as
your views in general on the subject.
:, In issuing the order calling for these reports
ut has been publicly asserted by the oppo-
sition to the exchange system that officers Of
the army are restrained from expressing their
belief that the War Department has deter.
mined to maintain the exchange in, spite Of
Sp be
the utmost latitude OF opinion Is invited. in
order that the Secretary may be In position
correct report upon the merit Is or defects OF the
exchange system. as seen by those who are
best qualified 10 Judge
This invitation gave the officers an orportu-
nifty to express their true opinions and they
haye done so very fully.
The War Department has determined not to
fight the state authorities Of Pennsylvania re-
gardinG the sale Of liquor at Camp Meade, but
will remove the eanteen by 9bolishing the
patronage OF nearly one thousnnd men. Just
where the troops now at Camp Meade VII be
has decided to break up the camp at Harris
burg as soon as possible.