The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-01-23
COCAINE HABIT
SAPP|NC ARMY
Gen. Edwards Believes Canteen
Would Aid In Curing Evil

Washington, Jan. Brigadiel
General Clarence r. Edwards. re-
Gently of the insular bureau and now
a general officer Of the line and in
| command of Fort d. 4. Russell. in
| Wyoming, has made what he de-
scribes as a startling discovery of a
new condition which should cause
| considerable apprehension among those
who have charge OF the health and
morals Of the enlisted force of the
army. He says there is AN alarming
prevalence OF the cocaine habit among
soldiers, and that IL is increasing by
the recommendation or one To another
soldier.
General Edwards found that so
many enlisted men were using cocaine
in beer. with harmful effects To the
discipline Of the post, that he institute
ed an investigation. Much mystery
surrounded the source Of this ma
terial. but he finally discovered that il
was being sent in envelopes by mail
from Denver. He has accordingly ask
ed the postal authorities 10 make
some effort TO stop this traffic through
the mails. He has also appealed 10 |
the municipal authorities in Denver |
and in Cheyenne. which is in the |
neighhorhood of the fort, for relief.
Military Duty Not Interrupted.
General Edwards has also sought to |
impress on the military authorities in
Washington the necessity of putting
. stop 10 this habit. He believes that |
much could be done in the desired di-
rection by the re-esta blishment of the
army canteen, and he gave some tes-
timony 10 this effect this week before
the house military committee, with
,ther officers Of the army. The medi-
,al officers say their records do not
show the use Of an undue amount of
he drug. but il is admitted that il is
growing inside, as il is outside. of
he army. 1t has not reached such
as to cause protracted in
of military duty by the en-
isted men. and there continues to be
more discharges for alcoholism than
or the drug habit At the same time
General Edwards discovery has arous-
d the authorities to make a further
inquiry into the subject.
Brigadier General George T. Torney,
urgeon general of the army, concurs ,
nth Brigadier General Edwards in .
he latters opinion that the dives near ,
rmy posts contribute largely to the
ocaine habit of the army. General
orney said that only two enlisted ,
len were discharged last year be-
luse Of the cocaine habit. but there is
rave danger of soldiers contracting
ne habit from drinking "doped IL
uor.
Grog Shops Spread Habit r
The army officials could well con- :
ol the situation If II were possible to z
rive out the dives that menace the 4
my posts" said General Torney. 1T ;
the grog shops that spread the habit 8
nong the enlisted men. II has been $
scovered that cocaine and other Z
'ugs have been put in beer to lure I
e men back 10 these places" a
''I''dl lOIHey ueClareu tnat men "A
ID already acquired the habit when 4
ey enlisted, but rigid examination to a
event this is always made. He SAID r
e officers made every effort to rid b
g army of dope nends," and in his h
Union the habit was not widely prev a
ent among the enlisted men. II
Other army officers believe that the
storation Of the canteen would
eatly remedy the situation, as the
og shops would then have no in :,
dement's for the soldiers 1t is ar :,
ed by the pro-canteen advocates .,
at the cocaine habit in the army n
Iuld be practically wiped out If the :,
IN were permitted to have liquor in -
Fir own canteens :,