The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-04-07
NO MORE DRINKING
IN THE j. S. NAVY
Secretary Daniels Order Even
Excludes Win Mess.
TO BE RIGID PROHIBITION
Ban Placed on Alcoholic Liquors
on Surgeon Generals
Recommendation.

""Shih6IOu, April O.-ADSOluIG
prohibition will prevail in the United
States navy after July 1 next. Secre-
tary Daniels tonight made public n
sweeping order, which not only will
= abolish the traditional "wine mess"
OF the officers, but will bar all al
coholic liquors from every ship and
shore station Of the navy. This order
constituting one of the most notable
victories ever won by prohibition
forces, was issued at the recommen-
dation OF Surgeon General Braisted
1t was brief and to the point:
1.-THE use or Introduction for drink
Ing purposes Of alcoholic liquors on
board any naval vessel. or within
any navy yard or station, is strictly
prohibited. and commanding officers
will be held didectly responsible for
the enforcement of this order.
AGRESS WITH BRAISTED.
In a statement tonight Secretary
Daniels said: "I am in hearty agree
ment with the views expressed by tn
surgeon general. There should not be
on shipboard with reference to intovi
cants one rule for officers and anoth-
er and different rure for the enlist
ed personnel. The saddles hour in
my official life Is when an officer or
enlisted man must be punished for
in,oAIcatlon. During the past week
" has neen my painful duty 20 APP
prove 4 Court-material for dismissal
from the service Of nm officer 70 In
toVica ton. He told me that he never
had tasted intoXiCants until n" dII
SO in the wine mess on a cruiser.
"Of1cers now are commissioned at
hn orIyr nf l,o
Government n right to permit this
temptation. which too often des-
troys the highest usefulness of Young
officers? I think not. If there is one
profession more than any other that
calls for clear head and n steady
hand, It is shown the wisdom OF hav-
ing no intoXicants on our ships for
the young men who enlist.
UNIFORM RULE.
"I believe experience has demor-
stTated that a uniform rule should
prevail In the navy for all who enlist
In the service. from the highest rank
[" the Youngest enlisted man or Of
fcer who comes into the service, and
that abolition OF the wine mess will
BE- tust fed. The new order WI TO.
rlec' trat section OF the naval in.
structlons which permits the formu-
tiCn Of wine messes."
This provision reads: Ward room
LffCors may form a wine mess, ri
Wc'ch all commissioned officers and
warrant officers attached to the shin
may become members on the pay
ment of mess entrance fees. but no of
ficer shall be required to become a
member thereof Suitable locker
room for wine mess stores shall be
uvhn n
sea-"
While admitting that the old re-
gulation conforms to the letter OF the
laws, Surgeon General Braisted in
his letter to Secretary Daniels de-
clared:
'It may be an open question how
far 1t fulfls those laws in spirit"
IN INHERITED CUSTOM
He explained that the use OF alco-
|, holic stimulants was inherited with
= many outworn customs at the very
birth Of the American navy" and re-
viewing legislation on the subject
he observed:
"It must be clear that Congress-
has plainly set the stamp OF disap-
proval on the use OF intoXicants by
persons in the naval and military
service.
"As matters stand today" wrote
the surgeon general" IAN enlisted
man is very properly subjected to
serve disciplinary measures II wine
or beer be found in his possession on
shipbord Yet the same man is con-
stantly aware OF the free use OF al
coholic liquors on board ship, which
Is oficially permitted to officers and
the too frequent derelictions which
I occur among them I'm consequence.
The prohibition OF alcohol to the men
had rendered alcoholism among
them almost a negligible quantity.
OFFICERS AS MODELS.
"Surely the officers in all respects
should be models for the enlisted
men, on duty, habits and department
and the example of officers drinking
aboard ship, as fostered by the wine
mess. and the numerous court
martial OF officers for drunkenness
and the effects OF alcohol, are des-
tructive of discipline and morals bad
for the enlisted me nand detrimental
TO the reputation and good name OF
the service The navy Is comparable
I'm many respects to a great business
organization, but no efficient cor
poration In civil life would tolerate
4 such n condition OF affairs"
Declaring that restrictive measu-
res already enforced meet with pub
tic approval, and are based on sound
physiological principles, the sur
geon general asked: "Why then are
they effective for a part OF the per-
sonnel only, instead of applying with
equal force to the whole?"
Il