The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-25
WANT THE CANTEEN.
Official Reports to War Department
Condemn It's Abolition.

Washington, Nov. 25.@The war de-
partment is in constant receipt of data
concerning the canteen question and the
effect of its abolition on the army.
Apropos of this the statement is made
at the war department that only such
informa ton as has been contained in
reports of army officers upon the sub
ject has been given to the public and it
is denied that any effort has been made
to influence opinion on the matter. 1t is
said at the department that the recon-
mendation of the adjutant general in his
annual report was based on the infor-
nation in these reports 1t is pointed
out the existence of the 400 saloons lila
the vicinity of the army posts is shown
by the reports received at the depart
ment $50 to 300 of which are said to have
been opened since the closing of the
canteen. This further statement is
made at the department: THE MAORI
ty of posts have reported that drunken
ness and court martial for drunkenness
have increased; that desertion and abb
Sence without leave have increased.
That the effect of closing of the can
teen upon the morality, discipline and
health of the troops has been bad, and,
whlIe many post commanders are IN
consequence of frequent changes of gar
risOn and from the absence of data upon
which to base comparisons, unable
to report as to the degree of detriment
created by the closing of the canteen.
it can be stated as an absolute fact that
in no single case had a 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 caleld to the reports
from army officers in the Philippines
and it is said at the department that
while the reports on the subject are too
voluminOus 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 reports from the Phil
| ippines a statement has been made pub
lie al the war department epitomizinz
the annual report of the inspector gen
eral of the division of the Philippines.
After narrating the evil effects upon
the human system of the native liquor
| the statement continues:
ITO remedy these conditions. the post
exchange at which light beer was sold
was exercising a wholesome influence
and Gen Sanger believes the exchange
should be made possibility by remov-
| ing all restrictions on the sale of beer
and light wines.
ITO the fear so often expressed by
the opponents of the canteen system.
that the sale of beer would induce hah-
| ed from a careful census of the 342
companies of troops in the Philippine
island that in 60 companies every en-
| listed man used vinous malt. or spirit
uous liquors at date of enlistment in
100 companies, between 80 and 100 per
cent; in IS companies between so and 80
per cent; in 26 companies between 20
and so per cent; in 20 companies be-
tween so and 20 per cent. Unfortunate
ly quite number of men habitually
drink to excess, and as this number will
| probably increase if the men are oblig-
ed as now to resort to native liquor in
order to satisfy what to many of them
is a perfectly natural craving, the re-
| suit will be most deplora ble."
General Sanger concludes with the re-
mark that. TT is hardly probable in
| view of this information that congress
will continue the prohibition, when it is
evident that the sale of beer would be a
precaution against the pernicious hab.
its above stated and their fatal and dis
aStrOus results