The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-01-06
The army Canteen.

Ina tOlIO"fng INT fVleW Is taken
rom 1.-The New Voice." and is pub
ished at the request of a number Of
In Denison, who are intere> sed.
Boston, Mass, Dec. IL Tsp cial
correspondence In an important III
terview ia the Boston Advertiser this
Dec. IL, Lieut.. General Mel
son A Miles squarely answers a qsery
as to his position on the beer cauteen
issue in his old straightfor ward fashion.
The interview is as follows:
For a long time the army has been
without what is known as the liquor
feature of the conteen.. The army |
posts are mucn better off without it. |
lind. That element having once been
discarded it would be an injury aud a
step back ward TO re-inOroduce it.
$50 says Lieut-Gen Miles vigorously |
aud frankly. He has made strong
recommendations to that effect to Pres !
Roosevelt.
This very positive opinion of the
canteen was given by Gen. Miles IN
the course OF conversation at the
Hotel Touraine. The lieutenant-gen-I
eral is on a visit so Boston to see his
aged aunt. Mrs. Curtis of Brooklin
who was injured by fall.
''When asked by an Advertiser re
porter to give his views on the much
discussed suoject of the re-establish-
ment of the canteen. Gen. Miles said
6 The canteen. so called. is recrea-
tion room or building established or
set apart at nearly all military posts.
1t is for the comfort OF the enlisted
men.
ia includes the recreation room
shich gives the men opportunity for
social intercourse, the playing of games
and the reading of magazines and
books. 1t also affords them light re-
freshment OF various kinds which they
may desire in sddlrion 10 the gooo.
wholesome food furnished by the
government.
There are certain men in the serv-
ice as in community, who will have
quor IL 1t Is possible TO obtain it, OF
course these ars not the best men 10
rhe ranks.
But now that liquor has been re-
moved from the N illtary observations
those not addicted to the use Of liquor
are free from its demoralizing influence
The temptation to use it is made very
remote.
Besides the amusement rooms
where the men, who des. re may study
Or read. or have orderly recreation.
are not disturbed by men wholly or
partly under the influence of liquor. In
other words the canteen is made invit-
ing to decent, self-res pecting men.
II have visited many posts during
the past year. and know that the con-
ditions are better now than eyer be-
fore. This say positively from my
own observation.
AT one large post in the west the
present canteen is so well-cOnducted
and SO we'll patrOnized that 1t has paid
dividends of 81 month to every man.
This shows that the argument that the
canteen cannot be sustained without
the liquor feature is wholly false.
do you think general, that there is
less drunkenness among the soldiers
than existed when the canteen had
the liquor festure?"
Il know there is less." was Gen.
Miles emphatic reply.
1t is folly to suppose. he continued,
that man is going to drink as much
liquor if he has to go from one-half
mile TO miles to get it as it it were
constantly served in the room where
he is located.
Many years ago liquor was furnished
as part of the ration to each soldier
and each officer. Gambling and duel.
ling were formerly prevalent in the
army but both have gradually disap.
Deared.
Efforts have been made to make the
young men in the army orderly, sober
and intelligent, giving them all the
facilities for recreation, athletic sports
ana outdoor exercise. They Rave been
given an abundance of good reading
material and plenty of opportunity for
study
There is no more reason for the sa-
loon al an army post than at any well
90 CONQUERED college or university, or at
west FONT, or at Soldiers Home at |
When asked as to what influence
vas working for the establishment
y the liquor feature, while Gen. Miles
aid; ~
Certain in fuepces would not care
oosuiSousss ouG uoG IN tne best interests
the army, however,
If father is able to start his son f1 /
usiness with ten thousand dollars
hat business is so safe as farninp?l
i've a young man with thorou oh
iucation, good hsbits, willingness to
ork. and desire to make himself
'efnl where can he'fare better than
farm? He can apply his brains to
e enriching of the soil, to the divers-
cation of his crops, and to the i'm.
ovement of his stock, and at the
me time give reasonable Indulgence
his taste for reading and study. He
II have all THAT contributes to health
body, vigos OF mind ana to cultiva
n OF the heart. What occupation or
'fession can offer him rich err re wards?
is is really the text OF William Jen-
gs Bryan's article on Farming 40
.ts.<x H..