Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-03-30
TIE ARMY CANTEEN.
ABOLITION OF LIQUOR FEATURE I'M
PROVES MORALE OF OUR FORCES.

PROVES MORALE OF OUR tOHCeo.
Lieutenant General Miles Declares
From Personal Observation at
Many Posts That Soldiers Are Much
Better OF Under the New System.
"For long time the army has been
without what is known as the liquor
feature of the canteen. The army
posts are much better off without 1t,
find. That element having once been
discarded, it would be an injury and
step backward to reintroduce it."
This very positive opinion Of the can
teen was given by General Miles n the
course of a conversation at the Hotel
Touraine, Boston. When asked by re-
porter to give his views on the much
discussed subject Of the re-establish-
ment of the canteen, General Miles
said:
"The canteen, so called, y recrea-
ton room or building established or
set apart at nearly all military posts.
1t is for the comfort Of the enlisted
men.
at includes the yeeseatiOn room,
which gives the men r0On for social
intercourse. the playing of games and
the reading of magazines and books.
1t also affords them light refreshmeBt
of various kinds which they may desire
In addition to the good, wholesome
food furnished by the government.
"1here are certain men in the serv-
ice. as in every community. who will
have LIQUOR If it is possible to obtain
it. OF course these are not the best
men in the ranks.
"But now that liquor has been re-
moved from the military reservations
those not addicted to the use of liquor
are free from its demOraIizing lntu-
ences The temptation TO use It Is
made very remote.
Besides, the amusement rooms where
the men who desire may study or read
or have orderly recreation, are not dis |
turbed by men wholly or partly under
the influence of liquor. In other words,
the canteen is made inviting to decent, |
self respecting men.
81 have visited many posts during the
past year. and l know that the condl- |
tons are better now than ever before.
This say positively from my own OBJ
servatiOn.
AT one large post I'm the west the
present canteen is so well conducted
and so well patronized that 1t has paid
dividends of 81 a month to every man.
This proves that the contention 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 feature?" was asked.
Il know there IS less" was General
Miles emphatic reply,
at is folly to suppose" he continued,
that a man is going TO drink as much
liquor If he has to go from ODe-balf
mile to five miles to get 1t as If 1t were
constantly served in the room where he
s located.
MANY years ago liquor was furnish
ID as part OF the ration to each soldier
md each officer Gambling and duel
ng were formerly prevalent in the
lrmy. but both have gradually disap-
feared.
Efforts have been made to make the
Dung neD in the army orderly, sober
nd intelligent. giving them all the IA
ilitles for recreation. athletic sports
nd outdoor exercise. They have been
iven an abundance of good saading
laterial and plenty Of opportunity for
tudy.
There is no more reason for the sa-
ION at an army post than at any we'll
onducted college or university or at
Vest Point or at the Soldiers home at
Iashington."
When asked az TO what influence was
orking for the re,establishment Of the !
quor feature. while General Miles did {
ot implicate the liquor trust he said. !
Certain influences would not care !
discuss but not In the best interests !
the army. however"