The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-25
CANTEEN NOT EVIL
 SAYS THE REPORTS
Drunkenness Has Increased
 Since Its Abolition
NOlNFORMATl0NWl WITHHELD
War Department Says There Has Been No Effort to Influence Public opin- lon--AlI Commanders Favor
 the Post Exchange.

Washington, November 24.--The war de- pertinent Is in constant receipt of re- quests for data concerning the canteen question. and the effect of its abolition on the army. Apropos of this, state ment is made at the department that only such information as has been contained in the reports of army officers upon the subject has been given to the public and 1t is denied that any effort had been made to influence public opinion on the mat ter.
 It is said at the department that re- commentators of the adjutant general in his annual report was based upon the information in these reports. It Is point ed out that the existence Of something like 1400 saloons in the vicinity of the army posts is shown by the reports re- ceived at the department. 250 to 300 of which are said to have been opened since the closing of the canteen. This fur ther statement Is made at the depart ment:
 Drunkenness Has Increased.
 "The majority of reports, however. show that drunkenness and courtmar- tials for drunkenness have increased; that the effect of the closing of the can teen upon the morality, discipline and health of the troops has been baseless, while many post commanders are, in consequence of frequent changes of gar rison and from the absence of correct data upon which to base comparisons, unable to report as to the degree of detri- ment created by the closing of the can teen, it can be stated as an absolute fact that in no single case has post com mander expressed an opinion that the ef- feet of the abolition of the sale of beer in the army has resulted in improved conditions"
 Attention is called to the reports from many officers in the Philippines, and 1t Is said at the department that while the re- ports on the subject are too voluminous to be given to the press, they are on file and at the fingers of congress should they be desired.
 With reference to the reports from the Philippines statement has been made public at the war department epitomizipg the annual report of Brigadier General Sanger, inspector general of the division of the Philippines. After narrating the evil effects upon the system of the native liquors the statement continues:
 Post Exchange Helped.
 ''To remedy these conditions the post exchange, at which light beer was sold, was exercising a wholesome influence, and General Sanger believes that the ex- change should again be made a possibil- ity by removing all restrictions on the sale of beers and light wines.
 ''To the fear so often expressed by the opponents of the canteen system that the sale of beer would initiate. or induce habits of intemperance, General Sanger showed from a careful census of the 342 companies every enlisted man used malt or spiritious liquors at date of enlist mentI in thirteen companies between 90 and 100 per cent. in 58 companies between 80 and 90 per cent; in 26 companies be- tween TO and 80 per cent; in 20 companies between 60 and 70 per cent. Unfortunate ly quite a number of men habitually drink to excess and as this number will probably increase, if the men are obliged. as now, to resort to native liquors in order to satisfy what to many of them is a perfectly natural craving. the re- suit will be most deplorable.
 General Sanger concludes with the re- mark that 1t is hardly probable, in view of this information, that congress will continue the prohibition against the can teen, when it is evident that the sale of beer would be a precaution against the pernicious habits above stated and their fatal and disastrous results.'"