The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-20
AN OUTSP0KEN WITNESS
CONDEMNED SOME METHODS IN
VOGUE IN HOSPITALS.
MADE CHARGES OF INCOMPETENCY
Or. Fry Also Said that at Third Division Hes
pitaI There was Always one Nurse 10
Every Theee Patients -Fe-
male Nurses.

Jacksonville, Fla. Oct. 19.-The war
investigating commission held its ses-
sions in the City Hall to-day, examining
large number of regimental and other
officers One of the most outSpoken
witnesses of the day was DR.. Fry, of the
Third division hospital. He condemned
some of the methods in vogue in the hos
pitals. and said that i'll many cases the
contract physicians and members of the
hospital corps We're incompetent. The
commission has decided that one of its
members should be in the commission
office at Washington, and Colonel DENLY
has been designated to this service. He
was selected largely for the reason that
his health has not been so robust here
as when in Washington.
NO SERIOUS SHORTAGE.
The commission began its work with
Major Noble ii. Creager, depot quarter
master on the stand. He said there had
never been any serious shortage of sup
plies in the Seventh corps, and he was
sure there had been no suffering caused
by deficiency of supplies. In the be-
ginning of the history of the camp there
had been some complaint as to the quail
ty of clothing, but there had been an
Improvement in this respect in recent
months. He had also had some little
difficulty in securing a proper assortment
of sizes, but had been able to meet the
demands of the men in this respect.
Major Creager was followed by Con-
gressman James Il. Campbell, colonel
of the Ninth Illinois volunteers, who was
questioned in regardsto the general treat
ment of the troops in the field, and ask
ed for, suggestions for the benefit of tho
service He spoke in complimentary
terms of the administration of the off
GERS of the army, saying that requisi-
tions of all kinds had been promptly fill
ed, and that the quality of the articles
supplied was generally good. There had
been some complaints, however, as to
the character of the refrigerator beef,
but investigation had developed the fact
that while the meat had been received
in good order it had spoiled because of
exposure in hot weather. The difficulty
was overcome by exchanging the beef
for ham, no fresh beef now being taken
by the regiment.
Colonel Campbell expressed the opin-
ion that a large part of sickness IN
camp wash caused by drilling in the
early morning when the dew was on the
ground.
RED TAPE AND HOMESICKNESS.
He had no suggestion to make beyond
a request that his regiment be supplied
with -Jorgensen rifles, as his regi-
ment had taken first place for mark
manship. He also complained of the red
tape methods of the army, but made no
specifications. He said there were very
few of his men who were now homesick.
Lieutenant Moore, acting commissary
of the Ninth Illinois was questioned in
regard to the quality of rations. He
said there had been no difficulty except
as to the fresh beef and agreed with
Colonel Campbell that there had been no
trouble on account of meat since the
arrangement had been made to take
cured hams instead of beef. Lieutenant
Tolliver, quartermaster of the same regi-
ment, also testified favorably as to the
quality and quantity of the supplies
reaching the command through his office.
He thought the tent material poor, but
made no requstion for other tents.
DR.. Il. ID. Fry, major and executive
officer of the Third division hospital,
testified as to the management of the
Second division hospital at Montauk
Point, from which place he was transfer
red to this camp and the military hospi-
tails at Fort Mcpherson, Ga, where he
was also stationed for Il time He said
the Montauk patients had lacked foI
nothing and were eXcellently taken care