Over the Bar

Since 1901, when Congress prohibited the sale of whisky on Army posts in the continental U.S., the drinking habits of the U.S. soldier have depended heavily on the whims of his post commander. A few post commanders simply ignored the law. Most approved a compromise whereby officers and noncoms kept their own bottles in their club lockers. Last week, taking advantage of congressional permission granted two years ago in the Universal Military Training & Service Act, the Army finally decided to allow all officers' and NCOs' clubs to sell hard liquor over the bar. Though it admonished commanders to "encourage abstinence, enforce moderation and punish overindulgence," and forbade bar drinks for soldiers under 21, last week's directive promptly brought a protest from Mrs. D. Leigh Colvin, president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. "More than 20,000 ex-uniformed alcoholics have passed through veterans' hospitals in the last three years," said Mrs. Colvin sternly. "The new order will double this number."

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