Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-11-25
All of the Reports of the Army
Officers Favor the Army
Canteen
REPEAL OF ANTi-cANTEEN LAW
Believed That Next Congress Will Pro-
vide for the Establishment of Cam
teens at the Army Posts in the United
states-Gen. sanser's Report Made
Public.

partment is in constant receipt of data
concerning the canteen question and
the effect of it's abolition from the
army. The statement is made at the
war department that only such infor-
nation as has been contained in the re-
ports of army officers upon the subject
has been given to the public, and it is
| denied that any effort has been made to
influence public opinion on the matter.
1t is said at the department that the
recommendations of the adjutant gen.
eral in his annual report were based
upon the information contained in the
reports.
1t is pointed out that the existence of
something like 1,4o0 saloons in the vi
cinity of the army posts is shown by
| the reports received at the department,
$50 to 500 of which are said to have
been opened since the closing of the
i-canteen. This further statement Is
made at the department.:
The majority of the posts have re-
ported that drunkenness and court
| martials for drunkenness have increas-
ed; that desertion and absence without
leave has increased; that the effect OF
the closing of the canteen upon the
morality, discipline end health or the
troops has been bad, and, while many
post commanders are, in consequence
of frequent changes of garrison ana
from the absence of correct data upon
which TO base comparisons, unable 10
report as to the degree of detriment
created by the closing of the canteen, 1t
can be stated as an absolute fact that
in no single case has post commander
expressed an opinion that the effect OF
the abolition of the sale of beer in the
army has resulted in improved condi-
tons.
Attention is called to the reports from
army officers in the Philippines, and 1t
is said at the department that while
the reports on the subject are too voi-
luminous to be given to the press they
are on file and are at the call OF con-
gress if they should be desired.
With reference to the Philippines a
statement has been made public at the
war department epitomizing the annual
report of Brig. Gen. Sanger, inspector
general of the division of the Philip
pines. After narrating the evil effects
upon the human system of the native
liquors the statement continues:
sTo remedy these conditions. the post
exchange, at which light beer was sold,
was exercising wholesome influence,
and Gen. Sanger believes that the ex-
change should be again made posi-
III -, oil ~ cft m
| the sale of beer and light wines.
ITO the fear, so often expressed by
the opponents OF the canteep system,
that the sale of beer would induce hab-
i its of intemperance, Gen. Sanger said
from careful census of the 342 COM
panies of troops in the Philippines that
| in sixty companies every enlisted man
used vinous, malt or spirituous liquors,
at date of enlistment; In 100 companies,
between 80 and 100 per cent; In fifty
eight companies, between SO and 80 per
cent; in twenty-six companies, between
| 40 and so per cent; in twenty compa-
mics, between so and 70 per cent I'm
| fortunately, 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 result will be most deplor-
able.'
Gen. Sanger concludes with the re-
mark that ut is hardly probable in view
of this information that congress will
continue the prohibition against the
canteen when 1t is evident that the sale
of beer would be preca,ltion against
the pernicious habits above stated and
their fatal and disastrous results
| Maj. Gen. Adna r. Chaffee. who has
just assumed command Of the depart
ment of the east, after his long service
in the Philippines, reported to Secre-
tary Root Monday. He appeared in uni
form and upon his arrival held an i'm
promptu reception in the secretary s
Office.
Later, accompanied by Adj. Gen
| Corbin, he made official calls on Secre-
| tary Hay and Secretary Moody. Sub
! seqnently he had long talk with Sec.
rotary Root with especial reference to
| the plans of the department for the re-
! duction of the army in the Philippines
! Later in the day Secretary Root ac-
companied Gen. Chaffee and the latter's
aide, Capt. Lindsay. to the executive
offices and presented them to the presi-
dent. A few minutes after they reach
ed the executive offices they were join
ed by Adj. Gen. Corbin. The president
congratulated Gen. Chaffee on his worl,
in China and in the Philippines.
/
ACROSS CONTINENT.