The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-11-27
AGAIN THE CANTEEN
Evidence Before War Depart
ment All One Way.
CONGRESS- LIKELY TO REPEAL LAW
Hundreds of saloons opened Nenr
Army Posts Since Exchange Wns
AboIishcd--some Figures on
Intemperpnce In Army.


WASHINGTON. Nov. 25.-The. war
department Is in constant receipt OF
data concerning the canteen question
and the effect of its abolition upon the
army. Apropos, the statement is made
at the war department that only such
information as has been contained in
the reports of arrly officers upon the
subject has boen given to the public.
and 1t 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
cral in his annual report were based
upon the Information contained In
these reports. II is pointed out that the
existence of something like 1.40O sa-
looms in the vicinity Of the army posts
is shown by the reports received at the
department. $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 majority of posts have reported
that drunkenness and court martials
for drunkenness have Increased; that
desertion and absence without leave
have increased: that the effect of clos
ing the canteen upon the morality, dis
cipline and health of the troops has
been bad, and while many post com
manders are In consequence of fire.
Quent changes of garrison and from
the absence of correct data upon which
to base comparisons unable to report
as to the degree of detriment created
by the closing of the canteen ii can be
stated as an absolute fact that in no
single case has post commander eN-
pressed an opinion that the effect of
the abolition of the sale of beer In the
army has resulted in improved condi-
tions"
With reference to the reports from
the Philippines, statement has been
made public at the war department
epitomizing the annual report of Briga-
dier General Sanger, inspector general
of the division of the Philippines. Aft
er narrating the evil effects on the hu-
man system of the native liquors the
statement continues:
ITO remedy these conditions the post
exchange, at which light beer was sold,
was exercising Il wholesome influence
and General Sanger believes that the
exchange should be again made pos
sibility by removing all restrictions on
the sale of beer and light wines"
To the fear so often expressed by the
! opponents Of the canteen system that
the sale of beer would initiate or in
duce habits of intemperance General
Sanger shows from careful census Of
| the 342 companies of troops in the
Philippine Islands that in 60 compa-
nies every enlisted man used vinous.
malt or spirituous liquors at date Of
enlistment, in 130 companies between
30 and 100 per cent, In 5S companies
between so and - per cent, in 20 COM
panies between 10 and so per cent and
in % companies between 60 and 20 per
cent. Unfortunately quite 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
| deplorable.
General Sanger concludes with the
remark that IT 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 a precaution
against the pernicious habits above
stated and their fatal and disastrous
| results"