The sun., 1902-09-27
ABOLITION or THE CANTEEN.
Gen. Funston Reports That Drunk enness
and Drscrtions Have Increased.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20. Brig. ten. Fred
erick Funston, commanding the Depart
ment Of tho Colorado, makes some inter-
esting comments in his annual report for
the past year regarding the effect of the
abolition Of the cantsen on the soldiers.
He says.
As compared with the preceding year
the percentage Of average enlisted strength
tried by general court martial has nearly
doubled. The per cent, of average en-
listed strength deserving in is99-isoo was
32O. in leOO-ol was $50, and lGOl-02
II per cent II is therefore plain that there
has been a dcporablc increase Of offences
il general and Of descrtion in particular.
In my opinion there are two principal
causes for this state Of affairs First, re-
sentiment To unaccustomed limitations and
restrictions felt by men returning from
field service to the monotony and routine
work of garrison life; second, the abolition
of the canteen feature Of the pest exchange.
Since this action was taken saloons Of the
lowest type have been established just
outside the boundaries Of the various reser-
vations. Thoir proprctors are in almost
every case unprincipled scoundrelH, who
leave nothing nndone to dehauch ,hc soldiers
and obtain their money. Peing in all cases
outside the limits Of any city the proprietor,
Of these resorts are subject TO no municipal
police regulations, ard sell liquor regard
less OF hours and whether the buyer l.
already intoxicated or moi, Gambling Is
, universal in these dives, and they are
fraauented by dissoute women.
The soldier. whose deaire for drink
would ordinarily he satisfied by A few
glasses Of beer In the canteen OF the post
exchange, goes to one OF these resorts
and does we'll If he escapes before he has
spent or gambled away all his money,
| overstayed his leave or engaged in an
alteration. As a rule the local authorities
| regard the existence Of these places with
| Indifference or approval, ~ II causes the
| soldier to spend his money in the com
| munity The efficiency of the army or
| the ruin Of good soldier is nothing 10 them.
| There can be no reasonable doubt that
most Of the trials by general conrl-nartial
! and summary courts, at least 80 far as TIN,
| depart ment l. concerned. are directly trace
| able 20 this cause.
"Since | have had command here there
| has taken place the ruin and degradation
! Of several n-commissioned officers ~
| long service and fine record, In short
! the recent legislation by Congress on this
| question. so far as this department is CON
cerne1, has had no eject except 10 lower
| the discipline Of the army, ruin scores
| e good soldiers and fll the pockets
of 10, Of saloonknaper,, gamblers and
prostitutes
| Referring 10 conditions a tho army
posts, he SAYS that in many posts the
| magazines are enc,Imhered by lor of am
muntltion for three-nch muzzlo- oading
cannon manufactured in the COS and '7cs,
consisting Of percussion shells, time shells
| case shells and canister He adds
This ammunition would probably cause
accident if firing was attempted, and even
whore field artillery is stationed. practice
had by firing this material would I've of no
benefit to the artillery. II is recommended
that some disposition De made Of this usc'
less and dangerous material al th" various
posts