The Savannah morning news., 1902-11-25
CANTEEN is NEEDED
REPORTS OF ARMY OFFICERS
SHOW THIS CLEARLY.
DATA OF WAR DEPARTMENT
GIVEN OUT TO PROVE EFFECTS OF
THE CANTEEN'S ABOLITION.

COrbin's ReeOmme ndatiOns Based
Had Opportunity to Judge of the
Conditions Drunkenness and
Courts Martial Have Increased
Since Canteens Were Abolished.
In the Philippines the Canteen Is
Needed.
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
army. Apropos of this, the statement
is made at the War Department that
only such information as has been con-
tanned in the reports of army officers
upon the subject has been given to the
public, and it is denied that any eff
fort has been made to influence public
opinion on the matter.
1t is said at the department that the
recommendations of Adjt. Gen. Cor
bin in his annual report were based
upon 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
is shown by the reports received at
the department, $50 to 300 of which are
closing of the canteen. This further
statement is made at the department:
1.-The majority of posts have report
ed that drunkenness and courtsmar-
tial 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 direct 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 has a post COM
mander expressed an opinion that the
effect of the abolition of the sale of
beer in the army has resulted in inn
| proved conditions"
Native Liquors HurtfuI.
With reference to the reports from
| the Philippines, a statement has been
made epitomizing the annual report
of Brig. Gen. Sanger inspector gen
| After narrating the evil effects upon
the human system of the native Ifq-
| uors, the statement continues:
ITO remedy these conditions, the
post exchange, at which light beer was
sold, was exercising a wholesome in
! fluence, and Gen. Sanger believes that
| the exchange should be again made a
| 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, Gen.
| Sanger shows from a careful census of
| the 342 companies of troops in the
| Philippine Islands that in sixty COM
| panies every enlisted man used vinous,
! malt or spirituous liquors at date of
! enlistment; in 1870 companies between
| 80 and 100 per cent; in So companies
between so and 80 per cent: in &c
| companies between 20 and so per cent. !;
in 20 companies between 60 and 70 per
| cent. Unfortunately, quite a number
| of men habitually drink to excess, and
as this number probably will increase
if the men are obliged to resort to ma
| tive liquors in order to satisfy what
to many of them is perfectly natu-
raj craving, the result will be most
deplorable."
Gen. Sanger concludes with the re-
| mark that 1T is hardly probably, in
view of this information, that Con-
gress shall continue the prohibition
against the canteen, when 1t is evident
that the sale of beer would be a pre-
caution against the pernicious habits
above stated and their fatal and dis
actro11S raSY11ts