Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-25
CANTEEN QUESTION.
It's Abolition Has Had a Bad
Effect on the Army.
More Drunkenness, More Courtmar-
tials and More Desertions.
No. One Post Commander In Favor of
mo Canteen."

washington, Nov. 24-The war de.
nartment is in constant receipt of data
concerning the canteen question and
tho effect Of its abolition upon the
army. Apropos the statement is made
st the war department that only such
attenuation as has been contained in
,hc reports of army officers upon the
subject has been given to the public
md +; is denied that any effort has been
made to influence public opinion in the
m0tter.
II is said at the department that the
recommended tons of the attorney gen.
eral in his annual report were based
upou the information contained in
these reports. 1t is pointed out that
The existence Of something like 400 sa-
looms in the vicinity of the army posts
;s shown by the reports received at the
department, $50 to 300 OF which are said
"a have been opened since the closing
Of the canteen. This further statement
is made at the department:
The majority of posts have reported
that drunkenness and cOurtmartials for
drunkenness have increased: that de-
ipcrea sed that the effect of closing the
eanteen upon the morality. discipline
and health of the troops has been bad.
and. while many post commanders are,
in consequence Of frequent changes of
garrison and from the absence of cor
rect data upon which to base COMPARE
sons unable to report as to the degree
OF detriment created by the closing of
Che canteen. it can be stated as an abb
solute fact that in no single case has a
post commander expressed an opinion
that the effect of the abolition of the
sale of beer in the army has resulted in
improved conditions"
With reference to the reports from
the Philippines. "A statement has been
made public at the war department
epitornizing the annual report of Brig.
Gen sanger Inspector general of the
division of The Philippines. The report
says:
To remedy the effect on the human
system Of the native liquors. the post
exchange, at which light beer was sold.
was exercising a wholesome influence
and Gen Sanger believes that the ex-
change should be again made posi-
bility by removing all restrictions on
The sale of beer and light wines.
To the fear so often expressed by
,he opponent of the cantcen system.
that the sale of beer would initiate. or
induce habits of intcmperance, Gen.
Sanger shows from u careful census of
the .: companies of troops in the
Philippine islands. that in GO compan-
iss every enlisted man used vinOus,
malt or spirituous liquors at date Of
enlistment in 1870 companies, between
30 and no per cent: in S. companies
between 80 and 90 per cent: in rs COM
parties. between 20 and so per cent: in
70 companies between so and 20 per
cent. Unfortunately quite a number of
men habitually drink to excess and as
this number will probably increase if
the MN are obliged as now, to resort
to native liquors in order to satisfy.
what TO them. is n perfectly natural
craving. the result will be deplorable."
Gdn. Sanger concludes with the re-
marxs that 1T is hardly proable. in
viev Of this intorma ton, that Congress
will continue the prohibition against
thocanteen when it is evident that the
san Of beer would b. a precautiOn
aRinst the pernicious hatits above
stted and their fatal and disastrous
reults.''