New-York tribune., 1899-07-15
THE ARMY CANTEEN.
.,,xY PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN THIS
,r-cH DISCUSSED QUESTION.
. r-n


ra,or Of The Tribune.
70 'ne ps,s-ring 10 a communication from T. V.
sn' =, The Tribune OF June 20. the Army can
gar y will. with your permission. say a word on
me subject =. r,o,,v, 49,. 4, .n.r,oa -. ..
,,ion There is. am persuaded. an honest
es an the part OF the Government TO get at the
o" II regard 20 the canteen. to learn Of It's uses
fh snses Hence the recent circular H. Q. A.,
no Nav Q 1s99) to Army officers, propound-
..rta,n interrogatories regarding the canteen
Hs 10 be answered by commanding Officers
- as What opportunity, II any have you
s." - observe the workings Of the canteen?'
.~., IN your opinion. has been the effect upon
-. ,rorality Of the enlisted menu What upon
..aS.,Dline?' Have desertions increased or les
o.s" .SSr" Has drunkenness increased" etc.
= Oar as have been able to learn. the consen-
., opinion among Army officers favors a con-
,~rsnee Of the present system. Many officers re-
"a the canteen as necessary TO good order. con-
ara cheerfulness. and as in the main promot-
s. .s.' ,.mperance on the contrary. General o. o.
gs-.rd writing on the post canteen, says:
-s. tendency OF having the beer (which intoxi-
Gates, controlled IN its purchase and sale by a
COM whether by enlisted men or hired civilians.
,s 70 encourage drinking. 10 cover the faults OF
tnose ~ hem til the bad effects are slept of and
70 give IN any case United States sanction 10 the
su..sd susnedsu under this system Of beer selling Drunk
cesS a-e doubtless sometimes moderated and re-
ss.rained when they be induced TO conhne them
ss.yes 10 beer; but the new men who for the de-
,,e ~ social advantage learn TO drink At the post
sxcha,n,tsbss IN numbers those Who are saved
rom the stronger beverages by strong beer
In an able paper read before the officers lyceum
., Fort Leavenworth. Kansas. Lieutenant NJ. T.
lamar. Of the 18th United States Infantry. said;
9TH. canteen (exohange) seems hardly TO have
achieved It's desired result-that is. to reduce
a-unkenness. In 1880 there were Ill convictions;
4, 1894 223 and for drunkenness on duty 15I IN
$50 200 in 1890 and 206 in 1904" More recent
satistlcs show about the same general result
FEATURES OF THE CANTEEN.
Many persons can only think of the canteen as
. nlace where drink is sold. This is. in fact only
,,s feature Of the institution, A Government can
,.s, presents the appearance OF a small country
.,o-s or refreshment room. Here can be had many
prr. luxuries not served TO the mess. and 10 most
ders the canteen is a necessity. II exists. In one
.orn or another. in all European armies
n breaks a soldiers heart 10 cut of his friendly
glass OF lager beer or ale when OF duty He LOOKS s6
ts- IN many Instances is not a refined or rehg,
@ that nbt al the S e bner d drnkng and 1t It had
Ssrorne part Of his daily life. II was also part
Of the coniFaS' nnderstood betorehand that light
wines beer and ale, with refreshments or solld
en- ost canteen No inference can be drawn that
/; is the duty OF the Government 10 supply liquids
70 the soldier. -, -, .- - ~
Row far the Government can go-in the matter OF
yrairfafninc and regulating on a military reserNa-
.lon A place where drink is sold. Can II legsiate
IN tbe matter Of the soldiers appetite? Can the
Governrnent act as a moral reformer? Can IL as
sumo this function at all?
THE GOVERNMENTS AUTHORITY.
noub.ess the Government has the right, IL the
drinking can be proved act contrary to good dis
cpline and 70 the prejudice OF the service or bane-
4. in It's effects on the soldier. 10 order It's ABOLISH
,nent: and herein there is much dispute. some oo-
servers contendng that the canteen has increased
contentment and moderation among the enlisted
men and others declaring It's effects deleterious
But we must remember that men are daily enlisted
Who have not acquired the drink habit. ana 70
,rhor, ire carteen is constant temptation. Ought
the Government 10 maintain such place on mil
tarv reservation? Is the Government. at this time
;r fhe saloon business? Is II making drunkards!
Many answer these last questions In tn sfnrna-
tive ..s -
n would be pleasant 20 go into an extended con-
,sera;fnn and ANALYSIS OF the subject, did your
space ADMIT, but my letter Is alrsady TOO ions,
Corresponding Secretary Soldiers Christian Afd
and Library Association.
New-York June 30, 1889.