The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-18

TIA Place in the Army--Niews of n Company
Commander.

Commander.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuS-Sir: As there
seems to be determination upon the part OF
certain msinformed. although doubtless we'll
meaning. persons to continue the newspaper
attack upon the Acknowledgement Of the
United states for his construction Of the So
called canteen provision in the last Army bill.
II may not be amiss TO state exactly what
place the post exchange ll's in the regular ser
vice. and what IT. effect has leem upon disci
pine; from the standpoint Of company com
The Post Exchange Regulations inform ns
that AN exrhang" doing its full work should
embrace the following sections: "a well
stocked general store in which such goods ar"
kept a. are usually renu lrel Mt military posts.
nml as extensv" in number and variety as con-
ditions will Justify: b a wrl-kept lunch cOun-
ter supplied with &c great variety OF viandS
as circumstances I"rmiti such as tGa' colffr si
and canned meats. sanlwi"h"A. pastry, Nc: lc)
aranto"n at which under he c,ndit ions herein
ana toharr'- may l." sIll ID reading and
recreation rooms. supplied with books. peri,
pool tables, bowling alley and facilities for
other proper indoor games. as we'll az appa-
pafHs Tor "ntd""r .ports nn1 exercises: such Is
equipped gymnasium pusSeS-inghIso the reuniI
site parapheInalia foroutdoor athletics II vii!
lie seen TINT the rante"n IL only one OF several
departments 81 III" post exchange. hut the
other .departmepts ar" conducted prnct-
cnlly without profit There is n small profit on
the sale of beer in the cantnen and il IS this
profit that enables the whole post exchange.
with its many hencfront features to lie main
tanned There is no inducement held out. how
ever for men to buy beer or light wine: they
are ]% only to be ed on Grir The prGmsss
From an experience Of TWENTY-FIVE years AS IA
line officer. | can testify that tho change from
in every way 10 the advantage Of discipline and
,emnera.,nc. IN the army although It. vas
dill not favor at The time
Under tho Old systcm pay dnv was, a neces-
snry evil and its coming was r"garded with
ANYTHING but Joy hv post and company COM
| manlcrs. The saloons. that wer" located as
near as possible to every garrison; reaped
harvest by selling bad liIuor at high prices
certain proportion OF men were ways absent
from duty for days after payment courts,mar-
not sluanderel hv these men was taken from
them IN fines. There was usually period. too.
services were lost to the company during this
time as well as during their absence without
The records show that great Improvement in
these respects has taken place since I he post
exchanges began their operations There are
and for absence without leave. and COMPANY
rommandHrs have less difficulty in maintain
The abolition OF the canteen feature would
result in the destruction OF the post exchange
system. and should success ever attend the ef-
forts Of the well;mnanlng people who are
working to that end, they would some day re-
aizs that they had played into the hands
is the enemy Of every saloon keeper who does
business in the vicinity Of a garrison. and he
would he glad 70 contribute TO q fund to do
away with II.
should not omit to say that all profits Of the
Vdsd 1 pro rata 90
several organizations Of the garrison. and this
money is expended for the Improvement Of the
m"sSeS
! do not believe that there is n rompa com
mander in the regular service who does not
| feel grateful to the Attorney General for his
| decision in this matter under which the sale OF
beer and light wines can be continued IN the
canteon. In SO deciding he has prevented the
removal Of strong prop to the cause OF dis
| cipine and temperance in tho army.
J. ]. BRERETOS
Captain Twenty fourth L. S Infantry
New YORK. June II.