New-York tribune., 1899-05-20
THE CANTEEN QUESTION.
NO GROUND FOR ATTACKS ON PREsl'
DENT MKINLEY.
AN INQUIRY INTO SALE OF LIQUOR IN THE
ARMY ORDERED BY SECRETARY ALGEH.
Inv TELEGRAPH TO THE rnrBuSE.I

my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRibuNh'i
Washington. May is-The attacks being made on
The President through his immaculate "'',,"l.
.ubord,nates by prohibition agitators VINO aHese
th.t the statutes are being ignored in the main
tenance OF the canteen system In the army wouiu
be unworthy of consideration except fo' the IN
fury contemplated to the common soioler u! '"o
Indignation meetings through which IT is proposed
20 influence more drastic legislation than the oo-
.cure rider on an appropriation bill which was
forced through Congress after midnight al 'he
end of the last session. This rider had ior lts
ostepsible purpose the prevention OF the Ud"o
In sprituous liquors at army posts 1t was op-
posed on the ground that II would simply url'e
thirsty soldiers TO the barrooms of the neighbor-
hood, which are invariably low resorts seiine ''e
vilest decoctions instead Of letting the men nave
limited quantities OF beverages under moran Il"
duences and In orderly localities. The clause OF
the law in question promptly referred 10 'he
Attorney-Ceneral when Congress adjourned anu
he ruled that beer could continue TO De sou d.
army canteens in the future as It's sale was no'
forbidden by the legislation, although certain au-
ditonal restrictions were imposed on the uai"c,
such as the absurd provision that mo of'icer sha
act as barkeeper."
The argument presented by the prohloluognirsts gr
that beer was the most dangerous oeverIse na dr,n,
ruined the physical health Sf the me men s sto
gether demoralizng. has not been substantiate3 oy
years OF experience with the canteen In the Keg e
uar service, though It was admitted that canteen can zen
privileges had been sadly abused by volunteer OF.
ganizations mustered for the war with SPAN 3ust @
themselves and the service in general by their eX-
cesses and disregard of authority
ORDER FOR THE INQUIRY.
To arrive at all the facts OF the matter Adjutant-
General Corbn has instituted inquiry through
nut the Army TO determine from those most COM
betent to Judge the merits and dement's OF the sys-
tenn To this end he has forwarded the following
circular letter to every department commander IN
the Army in the Philippines Cuba and Porto Kico'
es well as in the United States:
Headquarters Of the Army,
Ldjutant-Generals Office som
Sir: The recent legislation (Secton II OF the act
Approved March 3 1899 in the matter OF me stIe %
OF liquors by post exchanges and the Interpretation
thereof by the Attorrey-General General Qruels
No. SO of 1899. togetaer with what cann1t be re- re-
garded other than abuse OF the PrySsfS n aG
disciplined organizations during the recent war
ahe exchange feature of the Army administration
With view to proper 9nderstanolhe no oi the the
Commanding officer of every troop battery, company
and regiment in your command be called upon ior
tion as regards the benefit or injury to the. Army
in point Of Temperance morality ana dlsGiPmne as
II has been publicly asserted by the opponents
of the exchange system that officers Of the Army
ar are b snec y qqao of he belief that the Wa
Department has determined 10 maintain the ox-
sres that such impression be at once dspelled.
In these reports. as long as they do not violate
Jude OF opinion is invited. in order that the 6ecre-
tary may be In position to place before Congre:s
at the next session correct report of the merits
and defects of the exchange system. as seen by
those who best qualified 10 Judge
In order that the replies to the g inquiries may
be a uniform possible. they vfn b. made upon
s ssn o yos of ThS9 @ hss
tTibution. Very respectfully. H. c. CORBIN.
Adjutant- General
THE QUESTIONS ASKED.
The questions. which to be answered by the
commanding officers of every garrison and post
where the United States flag flies, follows:
First-what opportunity, If any, have you had to
observe the workings Of the canteen feature OF the
exchange system?
second-What. in your opinion. has been its ef-
feet upon the morality Of the enlisted men?
Third-What upon the discipline?
Fourth-So far your observation has gone
have desertions increased decreased since Its
Introduction?
Fifth-Are trials by court-martial more less
fre6uent?
Sixth-Has drunkenness increased or lessened? /?
Seventh-In your opinion does the opportunity to
procure beer the post In camps have any effect
upon the efforts Of enlisted men to procure in
toxicants outside?
Eighth-What, in your opinion would be the
effect OF absolute prohibition Of the sale of
beer in the Army?
Ninth-Are you in favor OF such prohibition, or
you in favor OF the exchange conducted at
present and with a view TO its continual improve
Inent along the lines?
Tenth-How can the exchange system be I'M
proved?
Eleventh-Make any additional observations cal-
culated fully 10 inform the Secretary Of your views
in general upon the subject.