The Washington times., 1903-10-29
Abolition of Post Exchange
Found to Have Proved
Detrimental to Health Of
Troops and to Discipline.
Effort Recommended to I'm
prove Social Conditions
SOldierS-Friendly Ad-
vice From Officers.

VIZ llUilf OifIkClS.
The return OF the canteen as an ad-
junct to the army camp was recon-
mended today in resolutions offered TO
the American Public Health Assocfa-
ton as a part OF the report or a special
committee. OF which DIR. George NJ.
Kober. Of Washington, is chairman.
The committee finds the abolition
or the army canteen a detriment TO the
health and morals Of troops rather than
the temperance measure its advocates
had hoped Commanding officers de-
clare drunkenness has increased rather
than decreased. and the abolition OF the
canteen has resulted in the establish
ment near posts OF 81 additional sa-
looms in the United States and 81 in
the Philippine Islands. TO this same
cause physicians trace many diseases
and also trials for desertion. absences
without leave drunkenness and ofrenses
as a result of intoxication-
Committees Recommendation.
In view of these facts and in the in
terest OF scientific temperance. the
committee recommends:
l. The presentation to the Senate and
the House OF Representatives IN Con-
gress assembled of the following reso-
luton adopted by the American Public
( Health Association in September. 1851:
Resolved That this body derEara.
the action OF Congress IN curtasiiag TIE
operation OF the army canteen. or post
exchange. and IN the interest OF gem
eral and military sanitation recommends
its establishment cn is former basis. az
the earliest possible date
.rRpSOlved That this ro7r- IN rf,o 81
terest OF the temperance and humanity.
cordially invites the intelligent co-opera-
ton Of a very large element of good
citizens. who have been active in Sc
curing legislation against the sale in
the military service OF alcoholics Of any
character, in taking successive steps
toward the betterment Of existing con-
ditions and thus assist In controlling
and largely curtaIlirg an evil which II
is poweriess at present TO prevent"
Use of Alcoholic Beverages.
3 Your committee is aware of the
! fact that beverages containing alcohol
are an accessory food of value only
when IT becomes necessary to increase
temporarily the elasticity OF mind and
body and a desire and capacity for
! work. and that the subsequent depress-
ing effect and the banefuI influence Of
its misuse requires great care in its en-
ployment. especially when rest, proper
food. and some of the alkaloidal bevc--
! ages like coffee. tea. cocoa, and stirnu-
! lants like meat broths and soups may
accomplish the same purpose. and their
sale as a substitute should be encour-
aged.
8 In spite OF the fact that beer
drinking. viewed in the abstract, is un-
productive OF good" your committee
believes that its sale in canteens un-
der rational and comprehensive reguls-
tions, rather than its total prohibition.
viii subserve the best interest OF scien-
tine temperance because so long as
human nature is weak and the masses
are not properly educated, the substi-
tuition of lesser evil under military
control appears not only justifiabIe. but
win IN the future. as it has in the past.
prevent eXeesses. which are fatal to the
soldiers soul and body. At present
every effort toward total abstinence NJ
military posts merely opposes theory To
facts and sentiment to statistics. and
oompels recourse to saloons OF the low
est character, whose proprietors care
nothing for the efficiency of the army
or the ruin of a good soldier.
Bar Should Be Abolished.
4. Every precaution should be observed
TO conduct the post exchanges and the
sale OF light wine and beer along tho
lines recommended by Munson in his
Theory and Practice of Military Hy-
giene' (pp. S20-S22. and your com
nittee begs to emphasize the fact that
the bar feature should be entirely abol-
ished. and that the exchange should in
fact be a soldiers club. with ample
facilities for reading rooms legitimate
!, amusement. and athletic sports, where
: the soldier. as a self-respecting indi-
vidual. may satisfy tn an orderly man.
ner his craving for diversion from the
routine duties of a military iife with
out undue prominence Of the refresh
ment feature.
5. The sale Of soft drinks coffee, tea
Cocoa bouillon. soups and warm lunches
should be encouraged as substitutes for
alcoholic beverages. and medical and
line officers should be directed TO edu.
cate, by precept and example, the ranl
, and file of the army that for presons il
health alcohol in any form presents nc
advantages not found in other foos
, stuffs or stimulants and which are more
over free from the dangers attending it
use. In this connection II should be re
membered that good food. well prepare
and properly cooked and served. is on
OF the most effective. prophylacu