The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-11
ANTI.CANTEEN LEGISLATION.
An Outrage on the Army Against
Which the Army Protests.

which the Army Protests.
To the Editor of The Times:
In that small. voteless body. the Regu-
lar Army. owned by the people and legis-
lated for by the Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union, a debt of gratitude is due
The Times for it's editorial regarding the
canteen The action Of Congress on tn s
subject is awaited with real anxiety by
every soldier in the army. II the anti
canteen amendment is passed, 1t will at
feet our comfort, it will affect our disci-
pline. and most Of all, it will affect our
stomachs. 1 challenge the W. C. T. U. to
produce one soldier in two hundred
throughout the army in favor of abolish
ing the canteen. But We are only regu-
lars: We have no votes. Should a soldier
be caught lobbying he would be court
martialed. This legislation is being
stuffed down our threats against practi-
caIly unanimous protest, with as little re-
gard for us as might be displayed by the
Sultan of Morocco for his slaves.
Is absolute proof needed that the inter-
ests of the saloon and the w. c. T. U. are
identical in this matter? I will furnish
it, On the road to Fort Myer. at the foot
of the hill where the reservation line Is
marked by two cannon. within radius OF
about a quarter Of 4 mile, are four sa-
looms. Who support these saloons?
There is no town adjacent or any great
civilian population. These saloons cater
to and are supported by the soldiers.
When the canteen at Fort Myer was es-
tabiished two of these saloons closed up
for lack Of patronage, and they are closed
to this day. l have no doubt that the sa-
loon men are making every preparation to
reopen these vile rum shops in anticipa-
tion of the passage of the anti-canteen
amendment. Go down Fcur-and-a-ha!f
Street and ask the proprietor Of the sa-
loon within one hundred yards of the ar
senal gates if he will profit by the closing
of the canteen at Washington Barracks.
The proprietor will tell you that it will
be a regular "klondike.'
OF course this is not soft purring senti-
mentalism illustrated by deity turned an
ecdote that stirs the heart or makes enc
weep at will; this is only the plain, IN
vanished truth without ixings-mere
facts and nothing more. Read the reports
from commissioned and non-eommissioned
officers rendered without coercion or hesi-
tatiOni Come and see for yourself, Talk
with regular who has service to his
credit.
Then IL anyone goes away with the i'm
preston that the abolition of the can
teen will benefit the soldier, his friends
should be consulted with reference to his
sanity. Facts. experience. the army sup
port the canteen; it is opposed by a mot
ley gathering Of sentimental petticoat
lobbyists. Last month the profits from the
canteen provided US with Thanksgiving
dinner, with magazines for our library,
with athletic goods, with milk in our cof-
fee twice a week. and in the summer it
gives us ice to cool our water and flowers
to plant around our quarters. Will the
W. C. T. U. supply these things when the
canteen is abolished?
In conclusion I will state that il the
w. C. T. U. want the name Of their So
ciety to be a by-word among soldiers.
to receive muttered growls from grizzled
regulars who have fought In two corti-
nents for the honor of their country. in
dignant protest from posts all over the
army. CT wherever a soldier may be. let
them continue to advocate this anti-can-
teen legislation. REGULAR.
Washington, Dec. s.