The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-02
ARMY MEN WERE HOT
POURED WARM SHOT INTO CHICA-
GO MINISTER'S.
A CANTEEN INVESTIGATION.
TOLD PREACHERS THEY KNEW
NOTHING ABOUT 1T.

Effects of CnnteeR Abolition mt Fort
sheridan Investigated by Commits
tee of Chicago Ministers, Headed
by DIR. Pnrkhurst-Preache and
Officers WrnngIed HotIy-Omcers
Do Not Like Present System-Coi.
Van Horne Reflects Upon the w.
c. r.. U.
Chicago. May 1.-The committee of cler-
gymen appointed by the Minister'S Asso-
citation of Chicago to investigate the ef-
feet of the adjustment of the army can.
teen at Fort Sheridan, paid secret visit
to the post to-day and ran into hornets
nest
The reports of the people living near the
post have been TO the effect that the
number of intoxicated soldiers in the
vicinity of the post has been materially
increased since the abolishment of the
canteen, and the ministers went to the
post to investigate for themselves Rev.
DR.. Parkhurst of the Anti-Saloon League
headed the party.
Col. VanIIorne took from his pocket
newspaper clipping in which 1t was said
that DR.. Parkhurst had accused army
officers of receiving champagne and other
liquors, without any bills attached.
First of ALL" said the colonel, 'I mean
to ask DR.. Parkhurst whether he made
these charges against the army officers"
II did not" replied Dr. Parkhurst.
DIR. Parkhurst then made request that
the reports of court-martial cases be fur
nished the committee. in order to show
whether the abolition of the canteen on
Feb had increased the amount of druu-
kenness. Col. VanHorne agreed 10 this,
but on account of the time required TO
get the figures, il was agreed that the
report should be forwarded to the conf
mittee in Chicago.
But you cannot use the report as A
criterion" said Col Van Horne, for "A
large proportion OF the men who vio-
lated the rules were not court-martfaled,
being offenders for the first time. So
you cannot judge the matter by the num-
ber of court-martials shown since the
abolition of the canteen, as compared
with the same length of time previous to
the abolition"
A Warm Argument.
This point made by the colonel led to
an argument on temperance, and Capt.
Ely made statement regarding his ex-
II.
dissented.
do you refuse to accept my word?"
asked Capt. Ely.
NO answered DR.. Parlshurst, mot so
far as your own experience goes, but do
not believe you kow all about it."
Then you are the first man / ever
saw" returned the captain, who takes
the word Of man on the street, un-
known even by me, and refuses to accept
he ri of Al.
army When you say so you insult the
officers OF the army
DR.. Parkhurst thought differently
II see," said Col. V8nHorne, that you
are perfectly blind. DR.. Parkhurst to
anything we can say to you. | still in
sist you are unfair. You are cooked and
primed and blind. You came here with
your mind made up"
Capt Morrow made address favorng
the canteen and Col. VanHorne said that
50 per cent. of army officers believed ii
to be the lesser of two evils.
you do believe it to be an evil then7'
asked DIR. Parkhurst.
Liquor may be an evil' returned the
colonel, but which is the greater-the
saloon outside or the canteen inside?"
Roasted the w. G. Il. u.
"A member of the committee said some
thing about the w. c. I. u. and at this
Col. Van Horne arose.
In my forty years in the army" he
said, II never saw w. c. T. U. woman
come to an army post to make an inves- 4
tigation. They know nothing about IT,
In my opinion they would have their
hands full II they took care of their
drunken fathers, husbands and brothers"
why is a." said DR.. Parkhurst, sthat
Gen. Otis told me he was wen satisfied
with the abolition OF the canteen?"
Gen. Otis does not know the inside