Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-10
OUT OF WASHINGTON
WOULD RE-ESTABLIsH CANTEEN
Gen. Williams Says Evil Results Have
Followed It's Abolition.

Brig Gen. Constant Williams command
ing the Department Of the Columbia, in his
annual report makes recommendations to
cure many of the Ills under which the
army Of the United States is supposed to
De ~iaboring. These recommendations in
ciuoe provisions for strict mental, moral
ana physical examination of colonels and
lieutenant colonies before they are as
signed to command regiments; the compul-
sorry retirement of officers; the heating and
lighting of officers quarters without ex-
pense to the occupants; a system of off,
GERS messes: furnishing of horses to Of
ficers, and the re-establishment of the
army canteen. In regard to the last-men-
toned subject Gen. Williams says:
''After a trial covering more than five Years OF
the practical working of the anti-canteen law 1t
becomes more and evident that 1t is a great
mistake. so far as the health. morality and dis
c1plfne of the soldier are concerned The argr-
nents for and against the anti-canteen law are
too well known to require repetition In this report
to state that ninety nine per cent of the officers
and and, soldiers Of the army are in favor OF its
csi1teens. '
This is most unusual and interesting cues.
tlon: Tor IN 1t we find the union of the two
most antagonistie elements in American society
OF the soldier. In the first place, have the
great temperance society. whose general influence
Tor good and noble work be highly
commended but who, in this particular case with
best possible Intentions are making serious
mistake; and Joined with them In the agitation
against the army canteen are the producers of
whisky and their creatures the saloonkeepers who
make a livelihood by the sale of alcoholic drinks,
often of the most unwhoesome and villainous char
acter The whisky guild argues quite correctly
that If the soldier is prevented from getting beer
and light wines in the canteen he will be virtually
forced to patronize the saloons and doggerics
which under this system have sprung up like
mushrooms at the very gates OF all army garri-
sons.
AS an example In question. in the town of
vancouver. with a population of about four thou
sand, there twenty-five saloons all situated
as near the garrison as practicable.
quality of whisky also furnish facilities for gam
bling and prostitution. To these immoral dens of
infamy the eanteen law is big dividend paying
charter securing them In power to degrade de.
moralize and rob the American soldier.
For these reasons the abolition of the anti
canteep law and the return to the former system
of allowing the sale under proper military ,e-
strictions Of beer and light wines, is earnestly
Gen Williams also makes a number NJ
recommendations regarding his own de-
partment, including the following regard
ing Alaska: The reduction of the reserya-
ton at Fort Michael to what is necessary
FOR military purposes; the abandonment of
Fort Davis near Nome; together with sug-
gesttons as to the Improvement of the sig
nal service Gen. Williams also makes
Recommendations Tor the better defenses
of the northwest coast.
" SNAA ASSsAAS S1PtuinS at
Gen. Williams expresses decided views
about the inexpediency of retaining In the
military service officers who by reason of
age, mental condition or physical ailments
are unable to endure the hardest field sery-
ice and intelligently direct their troops. He
would have no captain over the age of
forty years, and he suggests a rigid phys
ical. mental and technical examination for
every officer before he shall be placed In
command of a regiment. corrollary of
this project is plan for the compulsory
retirement of officers to insure the Access
sion to high commands of men young
enough for active field work.
Gen. Williams also urges more liberal
treatment of officers in the matter of ex-
penses. He thinks they should not be
obliged. to pay for the heating and lighting
of their quarters, and they should be fur
nished their own mounts at the government
expense. He also suggests an improved
form of officers mess and the strengthen
Ing of the seacoast Notifications on the
north Pacific coast. In Alaska he believes
Fort Davis. near Nome might be profit
ably abandoned and Fort Michael reserva-
ton should be considerably reduced In size
so as to retain so much land as is necessary
for military service.