Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-17
ARMY CANTEEN FAVORED
OFFICERS VIEWS TRANSMITTED TO
CONGRESS.
Secretary Root Opposes Prohibition
vntions-Gen. Corbin's Opinion.

The Secretary of War has sent to the
House committee on military affairs an
exhaustive collection of opinions on the
question of the army canteen. gathered
from every branch of the military service
The inquiry was made because OF the IN
PRODUCTION of bill to prohibit the sale or
dealing in beer or any intoxicating liquor
upon any military premises.
Secretary Root. in the course of BRIEF
Endorsement. says: II think the enactment
of this bill would be injurious to the tenn
perance morals and discipline OF the en-
listed men of the army.
Adjutant General Corbin. in an elaborate
review of the inquiry, says:
IF the prohibition of the sale OF peer at
military posts. as contemplated by tnls DILL
could be effective in bringing about de-
struction of the drink habit among the SOL
diers the adjutant general would unhesl-
tatingly urge its adoption. ard in 50 doing
he believes he would voice the practically
unanimous sentiment of the officers OF the
army. but when on the contrary II can De
stated as a fact that the closing OF the
canteen section of the post exchange wouid
be to have such soldiers as are now content
with drinking occasional glass OF peer
Wi hin the limits of the post go to the
whisky shops and dens of vice that once
surrounded permanent posts, and Whlch on
the passage of such law would soon re-
vive. he cannot too strongly express the
opinion that such legislation would be IN
imical to the best interests of the army
Old Conditions Described.
General Corbin reviews the old conditions
and cites the existence then OF scores OF
low groceries in Washington and elsewhere
in the neighborhood of army posts in sup
port of his position. He also refers to the
EXPERT opinion as to sick rate extent of
drunkenness in this country and at insuiar
points. and says:
In the face of the testimony of the men
who are in direct contact with the system,
and of expert investigation, it is sa1e 10
presume that the prohibition of the sale or
beer in the post exchange means an IN
crease of whisky drinking and drunkenness;
and the consequent necessity Tor meolcaI
treatment an increase of the horrors OF
delrium tremens and insanity and IN
creased number Of courts-martial and pun
shment and of assertions. to the scandal
of the service, no less than a decrease OF
discipline health and morals. and the con-
sequent diminution of contentment, sell
esteem and Self-reiiance on the part OF the
enlisted men, to say nothing OF It's eHects
upon the surrounding communities
For hygenc reasons. General Corbin
saws the War Department has not encour-
aged the establishment of canteens for the
selling of beer in Cuba, although the advls-
ability of this course is doubted as the
men run in debt at the shops and cafes
and drink vile liquors. which often throw
them into Commissions.
Effect of IL Cnnteen Mt Manila
In the Philippine Islands, General Corph
says every effor: is made to keep the sol
diers from drinking. but they have no DIM
Guilty in obtaining from the natives a vie
stuff called '.ansado'' or vino, the effect
of which is to drive men to a craZed condl-
ton that. as a pathological problem, mas
occasioned much concern among army med
ical people. To meet this condition can
teen was established at Mania for the sale
of beer and the beneficial effects there
from were almost instantaneous. The vino
shops were driven out of business, and the
vino question. so far as our soldlefs were
concerned. died a natural death.
In conclusion, General Corbin says that
the canteen system is being carefully
watched and perfected. and that the inter-
ests of the service require it should not pc
disturbed. He says those most interested
regard it success as temperance
measure and he adds: The wonder OF IL
all is that the professional temperance re-
formers are in this respect allied with the
aggressive saloon interests in their efforts
to secure legislation to destroy it"