The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-17
HOSPITAL SUPPLIES
ARE NOW Plentiful.
SURGE0N GENERAL STERSRERG
REPLIES 10 RED CROSS.
He Explains That the Emergencies
of the War Made the Assistance of
the Relief Societies Most Necdsui,
but That the Allowances Made
for Subsistence of the Sick Is Lib
beral Enough Ia supply All Needs.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16.-The following
letter from the surgeon general OF the army
was written in reply 10 one sent TO the
president by \. Z. Orr, vice chairman of
the Red Cross relief committee:
Il have received the copy of your letter
to the president. in answer 10 your ques-
ton as TO Why she intervention OF the Red
Cross relief committee should be longer
needed, and why ;sle government does not
see 70 Il that its own sick are provided
for? would say:
THE emergencies of the war made the
assistance OF the relief associations most
valuable Notwithstanding the fact that K
was the intention Of the government TO
provide literally for the relief Of Sex SOL
diers- But, as yea know, w-th ample
means and good intentions. supplies cannot
always oe provided at the proper place and
time to meet an emergency. Moreover, At
the outset Of the war TIC aErangeme nts5
made for providing uEht diet for the sick
which had proved satisfactory IN time Of
peace under the careful maEagen1 NJ Of e%-
pcrienced medical officers, were inadequate
IL the conditions which prey v1heG in our
camps OF instruction and among troops
engaged in active operations. For this
reason the presence OF Red Cross agents
fer the sex Las been Of iDesumabs value
But provision was made by a general or
der published August 10 90. O. No. 1iG), by
which surgeons in charge Of hospitals gen.
eral division or rogimeuJal. are enabled
to draw co ctnts per day FOR each sick ell
listed ma. OF the army in lieu Of his rogu-
lar rat.cn. Up 10 that time The c0mnuta-
ton OF rauon WAS Only 50 cents
The medical department does not sup
obtained from the commissary department.
or by purchase wherever Ii can 1e pro-
cured enciae herewith a list showing
the articles whicn can - purchased from
the comm iz~ar ~ which list "a you y l- s.. -
Includes canned SOUPS. taTfoca. crackers
jeiles tea butter etc. MIX, chickens ard
eggs fresh vegetables, etc are purchased
wherever they can ba obtained. IT. medi-
cal Gepartm =. furnishes "a few ar,i les mn
der the head = hospital stores including
condensed n.lk. Sucar and tea but no OH
q food ~upr.ies aye furnished By the -rc7i-
ga department Or can be properly paid FOR
from the medical and hospital ap7roprsa-
ton Of course. If t5le coznrntssary depart
rDJn 1T fails 10 provide these supplies ans
tAey cannot DE purchased IN the vicinity
of a camp or hospital. ne Difficulty Of
providing proper food for the Sex VIII ne
very great and under sGch circumstances
tHe supplies og the relief associations have
been most welcome, Iiat the amount now
allowed by the government - sufficient 70
provide everything ia the wav of s,1ita IA
5is. for the e.rk ard when there l. arv
n lure - pToFiGe MS Il Sc fa.its~e In ad-
u.~:sr-atior hy 'tose i-rry- lately in c5ar~a
ard net 4 T., -,0re az The government 70
pr v3e tac necessary meanS
"YoU ~ll 70 delbt agree WITH ne that -
cents day for TIE raw material from