Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-10

abolish the soldiers craving for a stlmu-
liant and, being unable to crafty his de-
sire by mild drink. under the control OF
the officers and in decent and respectable
surroundings. the soldier sought its gratif-
cation at other places. An erroneous zeal
for reform drove him from the exchange
canteen to the low dives in its neighbour
hood, from mild beer TO vile hard drinks,
from decent company to the associa-
ton of social outcasts, and the result was
that drunkenness increased. that desertions
and courts-martial grew In numbers. that
the physical and moral health of the SOL
der suffered, well as discipline and sery-
ice.
THE canteen was a temperance institu-
ton. Not an abstinence institution, IL Is
true, but reformers must not attempt tho
impossible. Abstinence may, perhaps be
better than temperance, but men cannot
be forced to it, they can only be educated
TO it. The movement for the re-establish-
ment of the canteen deserves the support
OF all practical reformers. the zeal of mere
theorists Notwithstanding"
a..
Rabbi Julius T. Loeb of the Adas Israel
Congregation, in an interview with a Star
reporter, said:
Since the so-called anti-canteen law was
passed by Congress some years ago In pur-
suance of the incessant agitation of the
w. c. T. T., 1t occurred to me that an
objectionable wrong, a serious injustice has
been committed by our law-givers, who
passed on the measure, without searching
thoroughly into the situation of things, or
studying the results arising therefrom.
THE army canteen was held out as a bug
bear; petitions We're circulated broadcast,
requesting the abolition of that horrible
thing, which, according to the temperance
union, threatened the honor of the nation.
TO those who had no opportunity to observe
the nature of the canteen system it an
peared as though good act was I'm prog
ress. and nine out of every ten people that
signed their names to those petitions had
absolutely no knowledge of the matter be-
fore them. Sandwiches of every kind, as
well as cakes, butter cheese and other
edlbes were served to the army men there;
also such things checkers and other in
nocent games for their necessary diversion.
And in such manner the American soldier
was given the freedom and enjoyment of
home, and at the same time was kept with
in bounds secure against all pernicous in
huences of outside resorts.
-
THE soldier is but q mere man. like every
other human, and the moment he turns
from his rigid discipline and his toilsome
exercises of the military service he is anx-
ious for some little recreation, for some
social enjoyment and If you bar his pro-
curing 1t in decent rational and respecta- d,
BILE manner under the strict surveillance OF
the military officers, such afforded
by the canteen, he will naturally resort to
places and things detrimental to his own
dignity and involving serious dereliction of
duty. The startling facts gathered from
official statistics regarding the tremendous
increase of vice, drunkenness. desertlon,
court-martial trials in the American army,
and the not less than 34l saloons that We're
added In the vicinity OF army posts only
two years after the abolition of the can
teen-these facts speak for themselves and
need no further commentary.
THAT the Brownsville mishap is due to
the abolition of the canteen seems true
beyond a doubt. For had the colored SOL
diers been allowed the privilege of cam
teen at their post near Brownsville they
would not have gone into the town for
liquor been assigned to Jim Crow cars,
and finally have shot up the town and muir
dered a law officer and others.
Perhaps it is impolitic on my part to
intervene in a matter which is altogether
can citizen, and having the interest and
welfare Of the nation at heart, 1 cannot
forbear expressing my personal opposition
to this extreme measure adopted under
certain reform movement, and which has
but a contrary effect.
~
Archbishop Messmer is quoted as saying:
II am firmly convinced that the can
teen is a strong temperance factor and
am sure now I was when those good
women-who meant well enough, God bless
them, but who do not know all there is to
know-got the law legislating the canteen
out of existence, that 1t was a mistake.
Surely it is better for the soldiers to get
moderate amount of drink in a canteen on
their own grounds under proper supervision
and restrictions than for them to get II out
side where there is neither supervision nor
restriction. 1t Is equally sure that the word
Of governors and others In authority at the
posts and homes whose experience has con-
WINGED them that the canteen really pro-
notes temperance, ought to be taken above
that of outsiders and theorists.
1.-The law aboishing the canteen has
proved harmful measure, however honest
its intent may have been. To make it other
than the friend of drunkenness there must
also be another law absolutely forbiddins
the United States soldier to touch drop
of intoxicating liquor"