Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-11-27
WANT THE CAyTEEN.
Data Showing the Bad Effect on
Soldiers Of Ito Abolition
The REPORT OF BRIG. Gen. SANGER.
The Inspector General Believes the Ex-
change Should BE Revived for the Sale
Of Beer and Light Wines and Thinks
Congress VIII Order 1t.

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 information as has been
contained in the reports of army Off
GERS upon the subject has been given
to the public, and it is denied that
any effort has been made to infu-
ence public opinion on the matter.
1t is said at the department that
the recommendation of the adjutant
general in his annual report were
based upon the information con-
tanned in these reports. 1t is point
ed out that the existence of some
thing like 1,4OO saloons in the vicin-
ity Of the army posts is shown by
the reports received at the depart
nent, $50 or 300 of which are said to
have been opened since the closing
Of the canteen. This further state
ment 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
the closing Of 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 comparisons, un-
able to 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 a post commander expressed an
opinion that the effect of the aboli-
tion Of the sale of beer in the army
has resulted in improved conditions.
With reference to the reports from
the Philippines statement has been
made public at the war department
epitomizing the annual report OF
Brig. Gen. Sanger, inspector general
of the division of the Philippines.
After narrating the evil effects upon
the human system of the native liq-
uors, the statement continues:
40 remedy these conditions the
post exchange, at which light beer
was sold, was exercising whole
some influence, and Gen. Sanger be-
lieves that the exchange should be
again made a possibility 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 induce habits
of intemperance, Gen. Sanger showed
from careful census of the 342 com
panies of troops in the Philippine is
lands that in 60 companies every en-
listed man used vinous, malt or spir-
ituous liquors at date of enlistment;
in 1870 companies, between 30 and 100
per cent; in So companies, between
so and 90 per cent; in 26 companies,
between 70 and so per cent; in 20
companies, between GO and 70 per
cent. Unfortunately quite a number
Of men habitually drink to excess,
and as this number will probably in
crease 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."
Gen. Sanger concludes with the re-
mark that ut is hardly probable, in
view of this information, that con-
gress will continue the prohibition
against the canteen when it is evident
that the sale of beer would be a pre-
caution against the pernicious habits
above stated and their fatal and dis