The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-07-15
THE ARMY CANTEEN.
Officers Generally Favor It's Restor.
alton for the Soldiers Good.

The editor of the Army and Navy
Magazine is familiar with conditions
in army posts throughout the United
States and in our island possessions
and his personal observation is that
the canteen is an absolute necessity.
He has talked with officers of every
rank, and while we admit that some
officers are opposed to the canteen be-
cause of personal opposition to the use
of any kind of intoxicants, the vast
majority of them insist that it would
better the service and make the men
more temperate and more satisfied
with their surroundings An errone-
Gus impression prevails with some
people that when the canteen was in
active operation the soldiers spent all
their time in drinking and carousing.
Such an idea is ridiculous and absurd
in the extreme. Under the canteen
system each soldier was allowed a
limited amount of beer every day and
he could not obtain any more.
The existing conditions are deplor-
able from every standpoint The po-
lice records of every city and town
located in the vicinity of an army post
tell the tale, so that "those who run
may read" Even here in the ma
TONS capital where Congress meets
to transact business, scarcely a day
passes that several soldiers do not find
their way to the police station. Some
times they are charged with serious
crimes, which they commit while I'M
der the influence of the vile liquor
that is served to them in the dives to
which they resort.
The health of the soldier is another
important factor that should be con-
sidered in the ultimate settlement of
the canteen question. Army surgeons
agree, and common sense teaches,
that the debauch in which the soldier
INDUCES periodically under existing
conditions undermines his system and
finally ruins his health.
Another phase of the existing con-
ditions to which we wish to call par
ticular attention is the establishment
of low dives in proximity to army
posts. The vilest kind of liquor Is
sold in these places-often concocted
by the proprietor, who operates his
place without paying license to any
one but the devil. In conjunction with
these dives and, as an added attrac-
ton, shanty is often maintained
which is occupied by two or more
courtesans of the lowest type This
condition Of affairs is disgusting in its
possibilities and its terrible loath-
someness.
The conditions specified are actual
and not colored. The facts are start
ling but they are real and we want the
new Congress to take cognizance Of
them AS practical men who are i'm
terested in the welfare of the army,
the members OF Congress should do
everything in their power to remedy
existing evils. There il no maudlin
sentimentality in this suggestion. 1t
il a good business proposition, because
there never was time In the history
of this country when greater neces-
sity existed for having the army In
good condition for active service.
The restoration of the canteen would
prove wonderful help toward this
end.
"a chain IL no stronger than its
weakest link" and the dissatisfied sol
der here and there initiates against
the efficiency OF the whole military e.
tablishment. Army and Macy Maya
zine