The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-25
POST COMMANDERS ON THE
ABOLITION OF THE CANTEEN.
Not one of Them Reports Improved Conditions
AS Result Increase of Saloons and
Drunkennesa.
by the Associated Press.)

(BY the Associated Press.)
Washington, Nov. 24.-The War De
partment is in constant receipts of data
concerning the canteen question and the
Apropos of this the statement is made at
the War Department that only such in
forma ton as has been contained in the
reparts of army officers upon the sub
ject has been given to the public and
it is denied that any effort has been
made to influence public opinion in tAe
matter
1t is said at the Department that the
recommendations of the Adjutant Gen
eral in his annual report We're based on
the information contained in these re-
ports. 1t is pointed out that the eXls-
tence of something like AGO saloons IN
the vicinity of the army posts is shown
by the reports received at the Depart
ment, $50 to 800 of which are said to have
been opened since the closing of the can
teen This further statement is made at
the Department:
1.-The majority of posts have reported
that drunkenness and court martials for
drunkenness have increased; that de-
sertion and absence without leave has
increased; that the effect of the closing
of the canteen upon the morality, dis
cipline 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 cor
rect data upon which to base compari-
70 he
of determent created by the closing OF
the canteen, it can be stated as an alb
solute fact that in no single case has
post commander expressed an opinion
that the effect of the abolition OF the
sale of beer in the army has resulted IN
improved conditions
With reference to the reports from the
Philippines, a statement has been made
epitomizing the annual report OF Briga
der General Sanger, inspector general OF
the Division of the Philippines. After
narrating the evil effects upon the hui
ma nsystem of the native liquors the
statement continues:
'"To remedy these conditions, the post
exchange, at which light beer was sold.
was exercising a wholesome effect. ri
tIGDcTdl odHStl pCilSNSo 1AhN -
change should again be made posi-
bility by removing all restrictions on the
sale of beer and light wines.
ITO the fear, so often expressed by
the sale of beer would initiate. or in
duce habits of intemperance. Gen. San
ger shows from a careful census of the
three hundred and forty-two companis
of troops in the Philippine Islands that
in sixty companies every enlisted man
used vinous, malt or spirituous liquors
at date of enlistment; in $50 companies,
between 80 and 100 per cent; in 90 COM
panies. between so and 80 per cent; in
&c companies, between 20 and 50 per
cent; in 20 companies, between 60 and 40
per cent. Unfortunately quite a number
of men habitually drink to excess, and
as this number probably will increase, II
the men are forced to resort to native
LIQUOR, to satisfy what to many of them
is natural craving, the result will be
most deplorable. General Sanger con-
cluded with the remark, 1T is hardly
probable. in view of this information,
that Congress shall continue the prohibi-
ton against the canteen when it is evil
dent that the sale of beer will be pre-
caution against the pernicious habits
above stated and their fatal and disas-
trous results