Evening star., 1950-09-25
Soldiers and Beer

A letter appeared in your column Sep
tember 18 entitled Down With Demon
Beer" which leaves mistaken impress
sion concerning water supply for our
Korean forces. do not wish to enter
the controversial matter as to whether
or not the troops should be supplied beer.
but would like to clear the record as to
potable water supply for our troops.
The Corps of Engineers is charged
with supplying potable water to troops in
the field. Each division is supported by
an organic combat engineer battalion
equipped with four sets of water purifica-
ton equipment with ample capacity for
supplying potable water for a full diVi-
sion of soldiers. This equipment is SO
designed that water from polluted
streams or wells may be converted to alb
solutely safe, potable water at the rate Of
35 gallons per minute for each of the four
water publication sets: therefore, 1t is
not necessary to transport drinking water
from Japan or distill sea water to ade-
quately supply our troops. The equipment
in the hands of our engineers can be
used to purify water from the many
streams found throughout Korea.
The Corps of Engineers conducts con-
tinual research and development to in
sure that our engineers are equipped
with the best water publication equip
ment obtainahle.
M. C. Ellison,
1t. Colonel, CE, Engineer Research
and Development Laboratories,
Fort Belvoir. Va.
Since have had considerable expert
ence as a troop commander and with
personnel work. both military and
civilian, in overseas areas, including the
Orient, feel qualified to comment on
the question Of beer for GIs.
In many areas Of the world, such as
Korea, there are few luxuries or recre-
ational facilities. There are no ice cream
parlors, drug stores, bowling alleys, pool
rooms, parks. Soldiers cannot go SWIM
ming in those polluted waters. There
are no areas available for any sports
There are no girls to talk to or dance
with. Nothing but mud, disease, work,
boredom-and death.
Under these circumstances q man sim
cerely appreciates a little extra consid-
Grafton and also some form of luxury
such as beer. Beer Is very mild bev-
erage which. unless consumed in very
large quantities. cannot be harmful.
Large quantities are not available with
o ration of one can an individual day.
The women and preachers who would
deny this small consideration to the men
on the battlefield in the hell hole Of
Korea-while they 60 merrily along en-
joying the luxuries Of everyday living
had better examine their consciences.
The boys out there are fighting tyranny
abroad. Let's not force them to fight
1t here at home. And also, let's not
have politics make things worse for them.
Professional Soldier.
X
So the water is bad in Korea and the
boys don't like tea! Well, there is plenty
of good water in America along with
soft drinks and fruit juices.
Why can't we ship some of these.
instead of beer? I would like to make
a vigorous protest through the pages OF
The Star against the shipping Of beer
to our boys on the battlefronts.
J. e. 8.
The rights of every one must be pro-
tected, but it must be remembered that
the rights of one person end where those
Of another person begin. The beer drink
ing soldier has the right to drink his
beer. Non drinkers have the right to
refuse the ration given them. But neither