The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-17
CORBIN ON THE CANTEEN
ELABORATE ARGUMENT IN ITS FA~
vOR FORTIFIED BY FACTS.
Real Temperance Promoted by the
System-Prohfbitioni and Pub
licans United Against Ii.

WASHINGTON, May 16.-Secretary Root
to-day sent to Chairman Hull. of the House
committee on military affairs, an exhaus-
tive collection of opinions on the question
Of the 'army canteen." gathered by ADJ
jutant General Corbin from every branch
of the military service. The inquiry was
made because of the introduction of bill
to prohibit the sale of or dealing in beer
or any intoxicating liquor upon any mill
tary premises Mr.. Hull. having invited
the opinion of the War Department Of
ficials, Secretary Root, in course OF brief
Endorsement says: ~ think the enactment
of this bill would be injurious TO the tenn
perance, morals and discipline of the en-
listed men Of the army"
General Corbin. in an elaborate review or
the inquiry, says: IF the prohibition or
the sale of beer at military posts. as con-
templated by this bill. could be effective In
bringing about a destruction of the drink
habit among the soldiers. the adjutant
general would unhesitatingly urge its
adoption, and in doing so he believes he
would voice the practically unanimous
sentiment of the officers of the army. but
as, on the contrary, 1t can be stated as
a fact that the closing of the canteen Sec
ton of the post exchange would have tho
effect that such soldiers as are now con-
tent with drinking an occasional glass or
beer within the limits of the posi- would
go to whisky shops and dens of vice that
once surrounded permanent posts, ana
which on the passage OF such law wouid
soon revive, he cannot too strongly express
the opinion that such legislation would be
inimical to the best interests OF the army.
General Corbin reviews the old conditions
and cites the existence then OF scores OK
low groggeries in Washington and else
where In the neighborhood OF army posts,
I'm support OF his position. He also refers TO
the expert opinion as 10 SICK rate, extent
of drunkenness in this country and at In
sular points. and says: In the face or
the testimony OF the men who are In direct
contac. with the system, and OF expert
investigation IL is safe TO presume that ths.
prohibition of the sale OF beer in the post
exchange means an increase OF whisky
drinking and drunkenness, and the con-
sequent necessity for medical treatment.
an increase in the number Of court-martiat
and punishment, and OF assertions. 10 the
scandal of the service. no less than de-
crease OF discipline. health and morals.
and the consequent diminution OF content
ment, self-esteem and self-reliance on the
part OF the enlisted men, TO say nothing or
its effects upon surrounding communities.
For hygenic reasons, General Corbin says
the War Department has not encouraged
the establishment Of canteens for the SELL
ing of beer in Cuba, although the adj
visibility Of this course Is doubted as the
men run In debt at the shops and cafes ana
drink liquors which often throw them into
commissions. In the Philippine islands. Gen.
eral Corbin says. every effort is made to
keep the soldiers from drinking. but they
have no difficulty in securing from the ma
tives a vile stuff called "anisado" or vino
the effect OF which Is TO drive men 10 a
crazed condition that a pathological
problem. has occasioned much concern
among army medical people To meet this
condition a canteen was established at
Manila for the sale OF beer. and the bene-
fetal effects therefrom were almost in
Simultaneous. The vino shops were driven out
of business, and the vino question. so far
as our soldiers are concerned. died nat
ural death
In conclusion. General Corbin says the
canteen system is being carefully watched
and perfected, and that the interests OF the
service require IL should not be disturbed
He says those most interested regard n as
a success a temperance measure and
he adds: THE wonder OF IL all Is the pro-
fessional temperance reformers are In this
respect allied with the aggressive saloon
interests. In their efforts 10 secure legisla-
ton TO DESTROY IN