The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1905-01-13
TO RESTORE CANTEEN
WOMAN'S ARMY AND Nnvv
LEAGUE PETITION CONGRESS.
since the Canteen Was Abolished the
Army Has Greater Drunkenness
IMAM Ever, Proving the Abolition of
the Well Regulated Army Saloon
to Be a Mistake,

Ilon OF the Woman's Army and Nav
League, says the Washington I'd, C.
FoSt OF Dec. 5th. The resolutio,
ADOPTED at the last meeting of tn
league sufficiently explains the con
templated movement;
Whereas through misann,,o,
zeal and a lack Of appreciation anf
understanding as to the reasons wh,
canteens or post exchanges were
originally established at armv nosts
rs well as misconception of the
manner OF conducting the sales NJ
peer; and whereas three years ties,
1orbidding the sale of beer or ltpb,
wines on any government reservation
mas proven detrimental rather than
oenencial to the enlisted men: and
whereas the Woman's Christian Tenn.
perance Union has influenced tbe
congress of the United States tn
abolish the canteen by the act of Feb.
ruary 2, 1901, be 1t here
Resolved. That the women ~ Tho
woman Army and Navy League
whose object has been for seventeen
years to work for the general welfare
the contentment, and amusement Of
our sololers and sailors. shall present
az the next session of Congress q nett.
uon urging that the canteen or most
exchange, with the same conditions &C
10 a restricted sale Of beer and light
wines as existed prior to February Q
l9Vl, be restored at an early date "
Inc 1act that this resolution passed
without a single dissenting voice con.
talns all the comment needed as 70.
CARDS one aspect of the matter but it
must be considered also that this
league is composed of women imme-
dlately connected with the military
service and, therefore, sincerely inter.
ested IN Its welfare. The wives sis.
ters, daughters, ETC., of army and navy
omcers are in far better position To
speak with knowledge and authority
than women who discuss the capteen
only in a theoretical way. These lat.
ter no doubt sincerely believe that the
abolition of the canteen removes
temptation from our soldiers and sail.
ors' thereby elevating their morals
improving their health, and generally
sxalting the service. They have sought
ino, Tor the moment, achieved this
and without inouiring
nto the practical results of the sun.
POSED reform, they tell themselves
hat their work is good and must he
'erpetuated. The women of the
eague, however, see what the others
annot see. The evil fruits of the
UNI shop, the dance house, the vicious
that have sprung I'D on the
uln OF the canteen are before them
curly. They know that the existing
NV mas not checked the consumption
liquor by the men, but has. on the
ontrary, increased it. The effect of
ne law has been, simply, to release
1e practice from rational control and
ndow 1t with a license. There was
eer drinking in the canteen. but it
as subject to official observation and
lsceptible of restraint. The drink.
lg outside of the canteen Is no long.
limited either as to quality or quan.
". What was once convivial recrea. r
on, Kept within bounds of decency,
now an unbridled orgie, a brutal Q
'Vel' ending much too often in dis. v
Use and crime. The facts are notori- Il
is. ANY one who really wishes the r
aterial good Of the soldiers and sail. "
s and is willing to seek that good 6
practicable methods, can have the c
st doubt removed by consulting the Il
Rcial record. II
IL Will be interesting to watch the q
urse OF Congress when the issue II
all have been fairly Joined. Nearly p
ar years ago, the canteen law was n
pealed at the instance of certain nj
persons. Since then IN
cry one really interested in the vel. e!
e or the men and the morale Of the tn
'Vice-interested, we mean, to the VI
tent of ascertaining the practical to
suits of the change-has come to 10
'llze that the reform in question op. Cd
ties a curse rather than a blessing.
ere Is infinitely more drunkenness
ong the men than there was be.
e, while as for degradation, disease, ga
ubordination, and general immoral. VI
these have multiplied incalculably. tn
truth Is fragrant. 1t cannot be de. 10;
or explained away. Everybody in WI
osition to know admits it with sor- by
but without reservation. The tn
que, therefore. will approach Con. oil
SIS armed with absolute informa. ere
and inspired by intelligence as tn;
as sympathy. The organization trl
composed Of women whose SINGER i'm
Is as unquestionable as their ins
Wedge Is authoritative. Thus we the
II soon know whether Congress is ha
n to reason and common sense or ve'
ers the company of its now I'm. 9th
ked delusions.- the
match cutting machine Is an auto. 10 ~"
IL nnrinCifv n,ko IN nnn oon - lat