New-York tribune., 1900-12-09
HEARING on THE CANTEEy.
IT Is DENOUNCED BY SEVERAL WITNESSES
AND PRAISED BY AN ARMY CHAPLAIN.

IT is DENOUNCED BY SEVERAL WITNESSES
AND PRAISED BY AN ARMY CHAPLAIN.
Washington Dec. s.-The Senate Committee on
Military Affairs to-day continued its hearing on
the arti-canteen provision OF the Army Reorga lza-
ton bill In addition a number Of short speeches
IN advocacy OF the provision a protest against II
was made by the Rev. Mr.. Miller. who served four
teen months Army chaplain in the Philip
pines.
The Rev W. F. Crafts gave the result OF his OBJ
servatons Of the operation Of the canteen at New
port after the close OF the recent war. He said
he had found II low the lowest saloon and
that regular carouse was in progress the day
he there, the result being that most Of the
soldiers the post deserted that night He
quoted Surgeon-General Steraberg as SAYING that
the Canteen causes many soldiers 10 contract the
drink habit, and General Miles as opposed to the
use OF intoxicants by soldiers the tropics. Mr..
Crafts said he had received statement from
President Taft of the Philippine Commission say
ing that he was greatly interested in the move
ment in behalf Of the native races OF the Pacific
islands
Mrs Thatcher Of New-Jersey appealed for the
abolition Of the canteen on financial grounds. say
ing that IL caused soldiers squander not
only their health and their time but their money
we'll Mrs. Kells Of Mississippi. spoke for the
mothers of the soldiers. saying that all OF them
favored the suppression OF the liquor trafic. Mrs
ingalls,. of St Louis. said she knew Of many
soldier boys who had contracted the liquor habit at
the canteen- Miss kearney, of Mississippi sald
she had been informed that General Egan had
been notable exception among Army officers in
favorinE the canteen. Mrs. Alliston, Woman 5
Christian Temperance Union superintendent OF
legislation said that official statistics show that
the liquor traffic is literally following the Amert-
can flag IN the tropics. She presented figures 10
show that the liquor eXporta tions from the United
states TO Cuba for the first ve months OF 1899 mad
reached S47220O, against S10.796 for the entire
year Of 1898 In the Philippines and Porto Rico
there had been corresponding increase she said
Mr.. Miller gave his unrsserved Endorsement TO
the canteen, and said that this view was the re-
suit of actual observation in the Philippines. He
declared himself 10 be temperance man, and
said that the he took this position
In the Philippines the canteen is not he said. the
low g-os shop that II has been described. but is
entitled 10 be called a post excnange. as il is Of
fciaIy called. He that these exchanges
much 10 restrict drunkenness The reason for
his position found in the fact that II the
soldiers could not get the lager beer End the light
wines supplied at the canteens they would patron
ize the low grOggeries kept by the natives, where
only vino is sold. This liquor he described as espe-
cially harmful health, and said its effect often
almost 70 cause insanity. Many vino Joints"
canteen. Mr. Miller expressed the opinion that %
per of the officers of the Army are favorable
TO the canteen and also said thar the enlisted men
want IL. He quoted written opinions from post
commanders in the Philippines in support OF hts
position.