Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-25

and Industrial civilizng influences greatly
decreased among all classes of people, yet,
as seen from comparisons made by the
surgeon general, 1t prevails now in the
American army in enormous degree
compared with the armies of Europe, where
canteens are maintained in all barracks
and garrisons.
AS a temperance advocate I, at first, OPP
posed the eanteen but after observing its
effects at several posts 1 became convinced
that 1t was a practical step In the direc-
ton of real temperance reform and general
improvement of the moral condition Of our
soldiers, as well a direct method of i'm
proving their minds and their manners and
general soldierly bearing. They soon be-
came the enlisted mems clubs, where the
influence of the sober, well-behaved men
dominated in a manner which forced the
silly and foolish element to conduct them
selves In orderly and sober ways, conform
ing to public sentiment no less than the
regulations which forbid riotous or un-
seemly conduct. The majority of our SOL
diers are sober and order-loving men. The
canteen gives them control of the thought
cious ones under the control of those who
take pride in the good name Of the service.
Yet those wanting beer and other light
drinks would get the same in their club at
almost cost price and always the best that
could be bought. Under the regulations
moderate use was insured, and this could
in no way injure their health. And 1 am
of the opinion that because they had an
stimulant by some mild alcoholic bever-
age. beer or wine. they cared little or not
at all for stronger drink. At any rate, the
attractions Of the vile resorts in the neigh
borhood were not sufficiently strong to
lure them. There were exceptions, Of
course, but where is the herd that does
not contain some black sheep?
X
Army officers in charge of canteens have
repeatedly told me that they were able to
almost obliterate the outlying saloon,
leaving few, If any, vile resorts for the SOL
der to patronize. 1 believe this could be
done now If the sale of light drinks should
again be permitted.
Perhaps the entire absence of ntoxica ting
beverages would be the ideal condition and
entire abstinence great virtue, but with
ton as to the cause, 1t seems to me that
this ideal condition is not obtainable and
that millions of men are unable or unwill-
ing to see anything virtuOuS in entire absti-
hence. Under such circumstances it seems
clear that the giving Of an opportunity to
drink beer or wine in moderate quantities
and in pleasant surroundings bearing the
character of refinement is real temper
ance measure and necessarily of whole
some effect.
The men were provided in the canteen with
means to play all kinds Of games, but gam
bling was absolutely prohibited. This made
the soldiers content to spend the evenings
and leisure hours of the day In their club
under the influence of their sober and in
telligent comrades, rather than gamble in
the saloons that infest all posts since the
canteen was abolished
The most serious phase of the question is
the large number of our soldiers that have
contracted disease owing to certain asso-
Citations brought about by these saloons
During the last four years have command
ed the Atlantic. the Philippine and the
northern divisions and found in almost
every post much the same conditions pre-
,vailing. These dissipated men not only fl