The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-11-25
THE C4NTEEN QUESTION.
War Department la Constant Receipt
of Data.

War Department ia constant RCceipt
ofDatn
Washington, Nov. 24-The war de-
partment is in constant receipt of data
concerning the canteen question and
the effect of it's abolition upon the ar
my. Apropos, the statement is made at
the war department that only such in
formation as has been contained in the
reports of army officers upon the sub
ject has been given to the public, and
1t is denied that any effort has been
made to influence public opinion in the
matter
1t is said at the department. that the
recommendations of the attorney gen
eral in his annual report were based
upon the information contained in
these reports. 1t is pointed out that
the existence of something like $500 sa-
looms in the vicinity of the army posts
is shown by the reports received at the
department, $50 to 800 Of which are said
to have been opened since the closing
of the canteen. This further statement
is made at the department: THE ma
jority of posts have reported that
drunkenness and court martials for
drunkenness have increased; that deser-
ton and absence without leave have
increased; that the effect of closing the
canteen 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
correct data upon which to base COM
parisons, unable to report as to the de-
gree of detriment created by the clos
ing of the canteen. it can be stated as
an absolute fact that in no single case
has post commander expressed an
opinionthat the effect of the abolition OF
the sale OF beer in the army has re-
suited in improved conditions
With reference to the reports from the
Philippines a statement has been made
public at the war department epitomiZ'
ing the annual report Of Brigadier Cen
eral Sanger inspector general of the
division of the Philippines. The report
says:
ITO remedy the effect on the human
system of the native liquors, the post
exchanges, III WHICH tIGuL bcci was
sold, was exercising a wholesome intiu'
ence, and General Sanger believes thai
the exchange should be again made 8
possibility by removing 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 initiate or
| induce habits of intemperance, General
Sanger shows from careful census OF
the 342 companies Of troops in the Phil
| ippines that in sixty companies every
enlisted man used vinous, malt or spir-
| ituous liquors at date of enlistment; in
| 1870 companies, between 80 and 100 pei
cent; in f1fty-eight companies, between
/ so and 80 per cent; in twenty-five COM
panies. between 70 and 80 per cent, in
| twenty companies between so and 4
per cent. Unfortunately, quite num-
| Der of men habitually drink to excess
and this number will probably increase
| if the men are obliged, as now, to re-
sort to native liquors"
General Sanger concludes with the re-
mark that at is hardly probable, in
view of this information, that congress
will continue the prohibition against
| the canteen when it is evident that the
sale of beer would be a pr5caution
against the pernicious habits above
stated and their fatal and disastrous
results"