Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-04-07
PROHIBITION IN THE NAVY.
Secretary Daniels Issues Sweeping
Order Against lntoxicants.

Absolute prohibition will prevail in
the United States navy after July l.
next. Secretary Daniels last Sunday
night made public a sweeping order
which not only will abolish the tradi-
tional wine mess of the officers, but
will bar all alcoholic liquors from ev-
cry ship and shore station of the navy.
This order constituting one OF the
most notable victories ever won by
prohibition forces was issued on the
recommendation Of Surgeon General
Braisted. 1t was brief and to the
point:
"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 pro-
hibited, and commanding officers will
be held directly responsible for the
enforcement of this order"
In a statement Sunday night Secre-
tary Daniels said:
"I am in hearty agreement with the
views expressed by the surgeon gen.
eral. There should not be on ship
board with reference to intoXicants,
one rule for officers and another and a
different rule for the enlisted person
mel. The saddeSt hour in my official
lif is when an officer or enlisted man
must he punished for intoXication.
During the past week it has been my
painful duty to approve court mar
tial for dismissal from the service OF
an officer for intoXication. He told me
that he never had tasted intoXicants
until he did so in the wine mess on
the cruise. Others who have been dis
ciplined for drinking to excess, have
made similar statements to me.
Officers now are commissioned at
%
government a right to permit the temp
tation which too often destroys the
highest usefulness Of young officers?
| think not If there is one profession
more than any other that calls for a
clear head and a steady hand, it Is the
naval profession. Experience has
shown the wisdom Of having no intoXi-
cants on our ships for the young men
who enlist.
Il believe experience has demon
strated that uniform rule should pre-
vail in the navy for all who enlist in
the service, from the highest rank to
the youngest enlisted man or officer
who comes into the service and that
abolition of the wine mess will be JUS
titled"
LAS matters stand today" wrote the
surgeon general, IAN enlisted man IL
very properly subjected to severe dis
ciplinary measures if wine or beer be
found in his possession on shipboard
Yet the same man is constantly aware
Of the free use Of alcoholic liquors on
board ship which is officially permit
ted to officers and the too frequent
derelictions which occur among them
in consequence. The prohibition OF al
cohol to the men has rendered alcohol
ism among them almost a negligible
quantity.
Surely the officers in all respects
should be models for the enlisted men
in duty habits and department, and
the example of officers drinking aboard
ship, as fostered by the wine mess, and
the numerous court martials for
drunkenness and the effect Of alcohol
are destructive of discipline and NOR
ais, bad for the enlisted men and de-
trimental to the reputation and good
name of the service. The navy is COM
parable in many respects to great
business organization but no efficient
corporation in civil life would tolerate
such a condition of affairs"