New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-30
THE ARMY POST CANTEEN
WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO FURNISH
TO THE MEN OF THE SERVICE

The army canteen has again been brought TO the
attention Of the reading public In the last three
or Iour weeks, and there is prospect that within
the next three weeks Congress will take up the
subject 1t is not denied that the merits or de-
merits of the canteen are legitimate subjects OF
discussion, and that the army has a right TO ask
that THIS question shall be determined by knowI-
edge and sober judgment. and not by prejudice ar
appeals TO passion. Some have taken the ground
that the dramshop is unmitgated evil in the
army or out Of 1t; that the government has no call
10 carry on the liquor business; that the canteen
Is no more respectable than any other dramshop.
that the canteen does not restrict the soldiers.
liquors TO light drinks and even If Il did there
would be justification for H. All those roiDts
have been controverted by officers and men OF the
army and they assert that the canteen is a bene
hctal institution to the service
Whatever may be said for or against :, ~
persons are unfamiliar with the origi, 90 ~
'ahteen or post exchange, IT is more generally
termed In the army. The canteen made its annaar-
ahce AT military posts about fifteen years ago and
succeeded what at that time was known 40 IT,
business of the post trader" who U,as Lr a.,
the days of the Civil War as the .'sutler rba
post exchange has been looked upon in the army
and among those outside who were acquainted witt
II as The enlisted mans club" and A necessary.
institution iiN
Every army post or reservation was a11oua5 .,
nave post exchange, and it was under the direct
super VISION ana charge Of an officer appointed
10y board of officers Of the army known as IT,
q
spohslDIe FOR the success OF the exchanre-tbev
decided what articles and lines of goods were re-
CURED Tor sale and they did all the buying maid
the bills and held the exchange steward strictI,,
responsible for the enforcement of the rules and
regulations in the active conduct OF the busInes
Inc post exchange comprised the following de-
pdTthlents- an amusement room, a luncheon room
a a general store and the canteen. The amusement
room was supplied with card tables billiard and
pool tables. and various other games sucb &c
T checkers chess, etc Gambling games were abso-
lutey prohibited, and at all times the amusenep+
room was 10 be Kept quiet and orderly The lunch
con room was htted TO supply sandwiches MES
mix, tea conee and various other things sIIitahie
Tor Hght luncheon, including luxuries NOT issneS
with the regular government ration. In the gen
eral store were 10 be found such articles al ave-
not Tor sale at the post Commissary and for whIch
thefe Is any demand. such fancy articles nr
clothing. handkerchiefs, underclOthing necEtiest
toilet requisites. fruits and candles
The Canteen, bar, supplied no ardent srtr,+.
ana nothing In the way of drinks could be takan
from the premises The articles sale were beer
Hght wines Thy the glass;. soft drinks cigars md
tooa 9S a man could get glass OF beer but he
could not get drop of whiskey and no person
was allowed to have any beer wine il he was
In the s!lghtest degree intoxicated. In fact The
most rigid regulations governed To sum up the
canteen was not a place To get strong drink No
drink was sold in quantities large enough 10 nro.
tntozcation- s'S !"