The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-11-23
Army Canteen.

The army canteen, or as it is official
lv styled, the "post exchange" has OF
late been much discussed by all sorts
of papers and by many different writ
ers. However, little has been said
that is strictly true, and as the sub
ject seems to be of considerable interest
to large class Of people, most of whom
have no definite idea of what the word
"canteen" really means and what II
actually stands for, the writer believes
that All article showing the true in
wardness Of things will be of more than
passing interest. And since certain
element isstrying to make this matter
party issue the coming presidential
election, it is proper that no one should
have to go to the DOLLS any the less
able to form for himself correct Opin-
ion on this subject than upon any
other subject of importance to the ma
ton at large.
The canteen, So called by most peo-
pie who speak of it, made its appear
ance at military posts about 1889, and
succeeded what at that time was known
as the "post trader, The post trader
in turn had taken the place of the
"sutler" of war times, who was the per.
son that followed, in his wagons, the
movements OF the armies from place to
place, and found ready market for
his goods at prices far above their real
values. The post trader, unlike his
wandering predecessor, established his
store on the regular military reserva-
tnns and laid in stock of such arti-
Giles as the desires of the enlisted men
prompted them them to buy, and as
the needs of the officers at remote
posts required. He was, of course,
subject To certain rules and regulat-
ions, but no rule prevented him from
charging whatever he saw fit to charge
for his wares, and no regulation pre-
vented him from selling whisky or rum
to such as wished to buy. The system
was SO entirely unsatisfactory that
something different was required, and
to meet this requirement the post ex-
change was established 1t came into
being on account Of, and has followed
since its establishment, the universal
principle of supply and demand. And
throughout the whole discussion of
this subject it would be we'll to bear
this principle clearly in mind: where
ever and whenever there is demand
Tor anything, no matter what it is,
there and then there will be found a
source of supply, and if the demand is
not met by legitimate supply of the
article called for, sooner or later there
will be found an illegitimate supply.
The post exchange has been called
the enlisted mans club" and let us
see what claims it has to such dig
nified designation.
Every military reservation is allow
ed to have pos: exchange, which is
established at the discretion of the
commanding officer, and carried on in
accordance with certain regulations of
the War Department, under the direct
supervision OF an officer of the United
States army and board of officers
known as the post exchange council.
The officer Entrusted with the active
conduct Of the exchange is called the
exchange officer" and upon him rests
largely the responsibility of its success.
He decides what articles and lines of
goods are required for sale, does all the
buying, pays the bills, and sees that
the exchange steward obeys his rules
and the regulations in the active con-
duct OF business. He is responsible
for the success of the exchange, just
as any business man is responsible sor
the success of his business.
But the exchange, just as in any
other business undertaking, the wants
OF the patrons determine the kinds OF
stock carried. So that if the enlisted
men show a demand for certain arti-
Gle or Class of articles, they are offered
for sale, provided of course, that the
sale of them does not conflict with
regulations. So we find prosperous
exchange comprising the following de-
partments: an amusement-room, i
luncis-room, a general store, and
har-rOom, or canteen.
The amusement-room is suppliet
with card tables, billiard aud pool tn
bles, and various games, such as check
ers and chess. Here man can com,
when off duty, aud for few cents, EN-
Joy a game IF billiards, or sit down ant
play whist or hearts. Gambling game
are absolutely prohibited. At all times
THE rATAPRu