Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-18
The Army Canteen.
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:

I want to give some views on the subject
Of the army canteen which grow out of
facts which came under my personal OBJ
seryation during two enlistments in the
army. AS 1 was never the worse for liquor
in my life cannot be accused of upholding
the canteen on that score.
The canteen Is established by the pro-
ceeds saved from the government ration.
Re- lions not drawn or returned in good con-
ditfon are placed to the company's credit
and money received instead. Consequently.
1t is not long before few hundred dollars
is saved by every economical company of
a regiment This money is then invested in
canteen stock, every company receiving its
percentage Of the dividends of the canteen.
Ii the regiment IL ordered away it with
draws its capital and can invest again at
Its future destination. An army officer is
in sole charge Of the canteen. Soldiers are
allowed to hold positions in its many
branches. library. lunch room. pool room.
etc, but soldier Is allowed to attend
the bar. This is contrary to army regula-
lions. For their services those employed
receive what is known extra duty pay.
AS the canteen Is closed during drill hours
1t does not excuse those employed from
their military duties. So far the soldier is
strictly in his own community, under his
own officer and kept enlightened and
amused by the means afforded by the
money invested. which has not cost him
personally one cent, and for which his own
company or corps receive a monthly divi-
dend. The more money spent at the can
teen the larger the dividends, which again
go to buy luxuries which Uncle Sam does
not provide. In the saloon Of the can
teen no treating is allowed. and when a man
has had all that is good for him no more
left the reservation and everything Is work
ing for his benefit and comfort. On the
other side, the soldier who does not go
t. the canteen. but frequents the many
nc IN inn on
then confronted by quite different state
Of things
All saloons OF the reservation are ready
to have the soldiers for their guests will
speak from experience. which is a good
teacher as a rule, and from facts, and they
are stubborn things. 1 know one man who
started small shack just of the reserva-
tion few years ago. Today he owns his
steam yacht on the river and has built a
fine hotel, all made of the soldier wnen
there was no opposition. Soon around the
hotel on wheels moved for mile or more
to get nearer the soldier. When this man
started l remember quite well a soldier
was found missing for, nearly a week.
search and inquiry of the police and Off
GERS proving useless. The soldier afterward
was found nearly dead in the loft OF the
stable of this new saloon. where he had
been drugged and robbed.
Another time l was called to see a SOL
der who was supposed to be dead up
stairs over saloon. He also was relieved
OF ali MS money ana QruSSeO so DdQly tnat
his life was in a critical condition for sew
eral days.
The little shack nearby, which looks like
a dry goods box inverted, with a small win
dow. which Is adorned by few corn cob
pipes. cheap tobacco and cigarette adver-
tisements. is nothing more than a gambling
den. where the soldier soon loses his
monthly pay, which only too often ends In
a general fight with the nearest thing at
hand.
Money is loaned over the bar and is
turned with exorbitant interest the fol-
lowing pay day
People who live east cannot imagine the
difference a few miles west makes. and
those who have not associated with the
soldier In his daily duties cannot perhaps
see these things in the same light. In con-
clusion. want to say that the army can
teen Is Godsend to the enlisted man in
spite Of the hard things said to the con-
trary. II the temperance organizations
would Gust the sharks and INSCRIPTIONS
persons conducting pitfalls on the borders
of government reservations 1t would do
grand work, but to take away the can
teen Is a menace to the army at large. The
w. C. T. U. is a good organization. but
should not interfere with the soldier. Its
members have no idea the injustice they
are doing the defenders of their country
by trying to deprive them OF the canteen.
which gives the nearest to home comforts
the soldier has during his enlistment.
P r. L,