Evening star., 1901-04-16
Wholesome Effect of Canteen Change


To the Editor of The Evening Stars
A clipping from the Chicago Tribune call
ed PAY Day at the Fort appears in The
Star of April II. 1t places some matters
in a very erroneous light. Trusting to the
well-known fairness Of The Star in giving
space to both sides of public questions,
come desiring to say that am in posses
sion Of information that proves that pay
days at army posts since the removal of
beer from the canteenS have been quiet
and orderly beyond the expectation Of many
most interested in the welfare of enlisted
men.
The National W. c. T. L. has a depart
ment of work among soldiers and scores
of intelligent women from Fort Preble,
Maine, to the Presdio, California are in
teresting themselves In matters at military
posts and observing the effect of the aboli-
ton of the beer. The reports thus far re-
ceived are favorable in the extreme. For
example, our superintendent of that de-
partment for the state of New York has
thoroughly investigated this matter at
forts near New York city. She says that
none of the evils predicted have taken place.
She says: "At Fort Hamilton on pay days
since beer was removed there was no drunk
ennesS, there were no men confined In the
guard house and no absentees. which Is an
unusual record. l was unable to ascertain
the exact receipts and profits of the post
exchange, but did learn that in one COM
month. l visited the post exchange at Fort
Wadsworth and took lunch there, some
thing / never felt free to do in the days
when liquor was dispensed. 1t Is fitted up
as a firSt-class restaurant. Tea, coffee,
chocolate and milk are served; chops, sand
wiches, cake, pie, etc. No new saloons
have been opened near these posts, as was
predicted, but, on the contrary, one of the
lowest saloons, the Dewey House, has
closed, the proprietor says for want of
patronage within the last three weeks"
Many people believe that the canteen has
been abolished and some even say the post
exchange. These institutions have not been
injured, as a peruSal of the law will show.
1t reads as follows: THE sale of or dealing
in beer, wine or any Intoxicating liquors
by any person in any post exchange or can
teen or army transport or upon any prem
ises used for military purposes by the
United States is hereby prohibited. The
Secretary of War is hereby directed to car
~ the provisions Of this section into full
force and effect
This was not passed by Congress without
careful examination and full debate. 1t is
folly to say it was coerced or driven"
1t realized the propriety Of its action,
and that action will be vendicated more
and more as the years go on. 1t was car
ried in the House by a vote of 159 to 81
December 6, 1900. and in the Senate by a
vote of "a to Is January 8, 1901. The Sec
retary of War promulgated the order Feb
ruary A.
The post exchange will be as profitable
without beer with it. and it will be an
advantage in other ways. One month Is
scarcely a fair trial, as the men are hard
ly accustomed to the new conditions.
AS for Fort Sheridan. near Chicago, cited
in the clipping above mentioned, every one
at all acquainted there or at Highwood
knows that conditions there are no worse
since beer was abolished than before Does
beer satisfy an appetite for strong drink?
There has ever been beer enough in the
canteen to arouse an appetite and whisky
n1ytC hn ffr,,, 20 kIoax,
It, Nothing worse has taken place there
within the last month than during the
months before. This fact is attested by the
village authorities under oath. Yet this
is the post that is being over and over,
pointed to a dismal example of the sad
consequence of abolishing beer. Friends of
the liquor traffic, having prophesied. can
produce nothing better than this as fulfill
ment of their prophesies
Mrs. CLINTON SMITH,
President w. c. T. U. of D. g.