The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-04-10
ORDER FOR ABSOLUTE
PROHIBITION N NAVY
Bars All Alcoholic Liquors From
Every Ship.


hibition will prevail in the United States
navy after July /, next. Secretary Dan
iels tonight made public sweeping
order, which not only will abolish the
traditional wine mess" Of the officers,
but will bar all alcoholic 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 on the
recommendation OF Eurgeon-General
Braistead. 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 prohib-
tied, and commanding officers will be
held directly responsible for the enforce
ment OF this order. +"
In statement tonight, Secretary
Daniels said:
Il am in hearty agreement with the
views expressed by the Surgeon General.
There should not be on shipboard with
reference to intoxicants, one rule for
officers and another and different
rule for the enlisted personnel. The
saddest hour in my official life is when
an officer or enlisted man must be pun
ished for intoxication. During the past
week it has been my painful duty to
approve a court-martial for dismissal
from the service OF an officer for intox-
ication. He told me that he never tast-
ed intoxicants until he did so in the
wine mess on the cruise. Others who
have been disciplined for drinking to
excess have made similar statements
to me.
"Officers now are commissioned at
the early age Of twento-one years. Has
the government a right TO permit this
temptation which too often destroys
the highest usefulness OF young officerss
/ think not. II there is one profession
more than any other that calls for a
clear head, it is the naval profession.
Experience has shown the wisdom Of
having no intoxicants ON our ships for
the young men who enlist.
II believe experience has demonstrate
ed that uniform rule should prevail
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 aboli-
ton OF the wine mess will be justified. "
ORDER sUPPLANTED.
The new order will replace that Sec
ton OF the naval instructions which per-
mits the formation OF wine messes.
This provision reads:
Ward room officers may form a
wine mess, OF which all commissioned
and warrant officers attached to the ship
may become members, on the payment
OF mess entrance fees, but no officer shall
be required to become member there
OF. Suitable locker room for wine mess
stores shall be provided when fitting a
ship for sea. z
While admitting that the old regula-
ton conforms to the letter OF the law,
Surgeon General Braisted in his letter
to Secretary Daniels declared 1t may
be an open question as to how far it full
fills those laws in spirit" He explained
that the use OF alcoholic stimulants
was inherited with many outworn
customs at the very birth OF the Amer
lean navy" And reviewing legislation
on the subject be observed: 1T must
be clear that Congress has plainly set
the stamp OF disapproval on the use Of
intoxicants by persons in the naval and
military service. /"
"As matters stand to-day, wrote the
Surgeon General, IAN enlisted man is
very properly subjected to severe dis
ciplinary measures il wine or beer be
found in his possession on board, yet
the same man is constantly aware OF
the free use Of alcoholic liquors on
board ship, which is officially permitted
to officers and the too frequent derelic-
tons which occur among them in con-
sequence. The prohibition OF alcohol
to the men has rendered alcoholism
among them almost negligible guam
tity.
Meeting Of Warren Mcdonald
4