Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-11-09
INVESTIGATION PROCEEDS.
Commission at Chicago Hears New Ev
ldence as TO Condition of Hospitals.
- lBY Telegraphl

i'SptS as 10 NSOnQltlOn HOSPITALS,
(By Telegraph.)
CHICAGO. New. S.-The war investi-
eating commission today continued the
examination of witnesses. General
Dodge. chairman of the committee,
now says that he began to see an end of
the long investigation.
DR. a. 9. Smith. of Clinton. Ia, was
the first witness. He testified that at
times the hospitals at Chickanauga
were crowded: also that there was n
shortage of medical supplies. He also
complained OF the water:
Asked about DR.. lilo b. Ward who
testified yesterday. witness said he re-
garded Or. Ward as very competent
and very conscientious man. DR.. Smith
continuing said: Il wrote once a report
to the surgeon general. but l think it
never got any further than General
Compton's office. was asked by Gen
erai Compton and Major Jenney to
withdraw it. as it might get me into
disfavor personally but told them
there was nothing in it that l wished to
withdraw"
A copy Of this report had been pre-
served by DR.. Smith and was handed to
the commission. In ii he complains to
the surgeon general about conditions in
his hospital. giving facts ana details in
accordance With his evidence today.
Charles S. Bullock. chaplain of the
tain. said that in the great majority of
c"ses Of complains of poor food or mad
en:atc supplies at Chicka manga were
alb. rlutely unfuunded. and that the sto-
ries published in the various newspapers
about the nhuman treatment of the SOL
diers was without any foundation.
Mrs Trumbul White. of Chicago, who
Went to Cuba with Miss Clara Barton
on the Texas and assisted the latter for
time at Siboney. gave as her opinion
that there was a great lack of attend
ants at the fever hospital at Siboney
and also Il scarcity of supplies.
Colonel l.. II. Smith. purchasing agent
of the United States army. stationed at
Chicago. was then called to enlighten
the commission upon the question OF
provisions for the troops the quality
supply. etc.
NO OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS.
Colonel Smith said
II have had no official complaints
about any of the supplies I purchased,
except in the ease Of eight barrels of
pork which We're reported TO have been
in bad condition"
The commission next heard two Wit
nesses from local packing houses touch
ing the character OF the canned beef
purchased for the army. They said the
same quality of goods had been DENY
cred to the French and British govern
mcnts and no complaints have ever been
received from them. They thought il
possible that the weather at the South
ern camps and in Cuba might have
some effect on the canned roast beef.
Rev. George X. Hoover. n Chicago
clergyman. whose son died in the Sec
ond Division hospital a, Jacksonville.
Fla. said
In the hospital there seemed to be
lack of medicines some of the sim
pier medicines. In talking With quar-
termasters nurses and others. I found
what thought was unnecessary fear Of
stating facts. For instance. one would
not talk TO ME without saying: You
must not give my name or will be sub
ject to punishment
A number of witnesses testified that
supplies were adequate and acquisitions
promptly filled.