Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-29
found in the rate Of assertions and trials
by courts martial.

found in the rate Of assertions and trials
by cOurtS-mart1al.
Savings Deposits.
DR.. Munson on page $40 of his Military
Hygiene, refers to the increased savings
deposits with army paymasters as one Of
the beneficent effects of the canteen sys-
tenn in the promotion of order and con-
tentment. AT all events the figures re-
ported by the paymaster general in his
report for 1899 show that the average
number of men annually making such
deposits for the seven years 1SS5-9l was
1878, while for the six years 1927 the
annual average so deposfting was S.3s2
an increase of 1873 per cent. This fndi-
but a decided improved moral tone, and
means that over LOO additional deposit
ors were created, thus practically giving
bonds to the government for good be-
havior.
Specific Diseases.
Another remarkable victory achieved
by the canteen system over vice and dis
ease Is shown by the decrease in the
prevalence of specific diseases in the
United States army. This reduction was
gradual and constant until the abolition
of the canteen system when again
most marked and lamentable Increase is
noted
ruary 2, 1901, prohibiting the sale of or
dealing in beer, wine or any intoxicating
liquors in post exchanges were promul-
gated in general orders No. 5, dated Feb
ruary 2, 1901-so that now over two
years have elapsed, during which the eff
fects Of this law upon the health and
morale of the army can be studied In
transmitting copy of this order the
Secretary Of War enjoined upon all de-
partment commanders prompt and eff
fective compliance with the terms OF the
-toI hot he mi Cyh n
formed Of the effect Of this law on the
morality, health and discipline of the
troops.
The reports under this head show that
on or about February 2, 1901. the date of
the passage of the act abolfshing the sale
of beer there were within one mile OF the
toxicating LIQUORS of all kinds were dis
pensed, and at the date OF the last report
there were 1896 such saloons; that Is to
say that 90 post canteens at which beer
and light wines alone were sold had been
closed and their places taken by BAL sa-
looms in the United States and S71 sa-
looms in the Philippine Islands dispens-
ing all kinds of intOxicants. in very many
cases with gambling rooms attached and
in at least three instances houses Of Ill
fame. Many of the additional saloons
have been opened by discharged soldiers
2. Increase Of Drunkenness.
To the inquiry to report whether drunk
enness among the enlisted men OF their
G mands had increased as a consequence
: the abolition of the canteen ninety-eight
pLst commanders replied. of which number
eiehty-one reported that drunkenness had
Increased. ten that It had decreased and in
seven cases the commanding officers had
no means Of comparison.
3. Increase of trials by summary or other
courts for drunkenness and for orenses
caused by drunkenness.
To this inquiry ninety-eight post COM
manders responded, of which number sixty
nine responded that such trials hau been
more numerous since the passage OF the
BILL eight that they had been less and In
twenty-one instances the effects were in
doubt
4. Increase of assertions
To the inquiry whether deSertion had in
creased or iessened ninety-eight post COM
manders replied, of which number ffty-four
reported that desertion had increased,
eight that 1t had decreased and In thirty
six reports the result was in doubt.
g. Increase in absence without leave.
To similar inquiry as to absence with
out leave ninety-eight post commanders
replied of which number seVenty-1our re-
ported that absences without leave had In
creased, six that they had decreased and
in eighteen the effect was doubtful.
number of post commanders reported
that absences without leave had doubled,
and in some cases that they had increased
from $50 to 300 per cent.
O. Effects of the abolition Of the sale of
beer at the posts on the morality and dis
cipline of the command.
To this inquiry ninety-eight post COM
manders replied; one reported that the
effect had been good, ffty-siX that 1t had
been bad and in forty-two instances the
commanding officers had no means Of COM
parison.
Recommendations.
In view of the foregoing facts and in the
interest of scientific temperance. the COM
mittee recommends:
1. The presentation to the Senate and
the House of Representatives in Congress
assembled Of the following resolution
adopted by the American Public Health
Association in September. 1901:
Resolved, That this body deplores the
| action of Congress in curtailing the opera
| ton Of the army canteen or post exchange,
| and in the interest of general and mil. tary
| sanitation recommends its establishment on
! its former basis at the earliest possible
date"
Resolved, That this body. in the interest
| of temperance and humanity, cordially In
| yItes the intelligent cooperation of very
| large element of good citizens, who have
| been active in securing legisl tion AGAINST
| the sales in the military SER ice Of alcoho cs
! of any character. in taking successive ste 8
| toward the betterment of existing condi-
! tions and thus assist in controlling and
largely curtailing evil which it Is power
/ less at present to prevent -. ~
| z -FOUR committee 10 aware Of the 3oos