The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-28
UNCOMPLAINING REGULARS.
Official Red Tape Has Caused Needless
Suffering at Montauk.

New York Letter in Philadelphia Press.
1t is due entirely to the generosity and
the energy OF those who represent the Red
Cross to individual sympathy that the
regulars have within a day or two been per-
mitted to taste appetizing and nourishing
food. A West Pointer, captain Of one Of the
regular companies sent word to friends in
New York a day or two ago that he feared
every man In his company would collapse,
not so much from fever as from exhaustion,
and added that the exhaustion due to
the fact that his men were compelled to
eat hard tack, which was not fresh, and
bacon, which was not appetizing. He want
ed to know If some would not remem-
Der the regulars and do for them what so
many kindly hands have been doing for the
volunteers. He said his men did not COM
plain, but it sight which saddened
him to see them attempt to make the best
of their rations although their stomachs
revolted against them.
Then, again, others spoke to the news
paper correspondents who are at the camp,
saying that these regulars, who stormed
the blookhouse at San Juan. who were five
days in the trenches. drinking rain water
which they caught in their hands or i'm
provised cups and eating the pith of wild
grass, which grew in abundance there, were
without any complaint accepting govern
ment rations which ought to have been
thrown into the sea and asked the CORE
spondents if they would not make an APP
peal for the regulars.
The appeal was made and it Is nobly an
swered. No delcacy was too choice for the
regulars and some of them tasted for the
first time in months chicken. eggs, JellleS
and other nourishng and palatable food
Some of the richest women in New York
more than that, for they have gone into the
camp. passed through the hospitals and
know how best to lavish their generosity.
The gift of $4,000, made by Miss Helen
than the giving of her time to an examina-
ton of the conditions in camp. There are
many soldiers who will bless her name, not
so much because her princely benefaction
| will make it possible to give them physical
comforts as because of the kindly, tender
| sympathy which she revealed as she passed
here and there throughout the camp
The Red Cross and its representatives at
| Montauk are in position now to supply al
most all the comforts that these men need
and yet it must be remembered that but for
| this individual philanthropy the men who
! fought before Santiago and who lay IN its
| trenches would be in no better condition,
so far as food and medical aid are con-
| cerned, than they would when they were
under that tropical sun.
Everyone who knows of these conditions
speaks of them as a disgrace, the single
! shadow upon the entire history of our war
cusation against this or that officer Of this
or that department. All that is done is to
! say that disgraceful condition exists. and
| that II is not to the honor of this country
| that through faulty system or faulty or
| ganization it was necessary to rely upon In
| dividual or organized philanthropy in order
! to bring these soldiers out of conditions
which history will do well, perhaps, to be
| silent about.
| The Press the other day spoke of the diff
| ference between organization controlled by
| an executive head. as illustrated by the
| manner in which President Baldwin, of the
| Long Island Railroad. has met his respon-
| sibilities, and the disorder. conflict of au-
! thority and neglect which, unhappily, under
the authority of the government, character
| ize the condition of the men who are at
| Camp Wikoff.
| It is a frequent comment here that if It
| were possible for a little railroad corpora
ton Of a sudden to meet the vastly in
creased responsibilities. some Of them very
difficult to meet. as President Baldwin has
| met them it ought certainly to be possible
for the government of the United States to
create an organization in the army which
| could do as much as President Baldwin has
| done. The comparison is already being
brought to the notice of the public through
the local press It is pointed out that with
| ceiVeG from the Cover nment that troops
| were to be sent to Montauk a notice which
| of the road Mr.. Baldwin became an execu-
| tive who could execute and transported the
men.
There was no red tape In his MANAGEMENT
that is the red tape which suggests jeal-
ousy and confusion. nor was there any
| heavy dignity on his part He was here,
| there and everywhere mastering every de-
| tail. as some one should have mastered
every detail in camp He caused many miles
| of sidings to be laid. built enormous sheds
| and freight houses and created great sup
| ply station in which there has been no con-
fusion. almost over night II he did not have
| locomotives enough he hired them from 9TH
| e. roads. so that there was no delay in
| hauling trains. Foreseeing possible embar-
| easements he collected cars from whatever
source possible. knew where they were and
had them ready for use upon a moments
notice.
He transported troops without delay. and
! he has taught somebody. perhaps Congress,
| perhaps the staff. perhaps subordinate Off
| GERS, the lesson of executive responsibility.
| of perfect organization that extends even
| TO the most trifiing of details.
If his example had been followed ii would
| not he possible to contemplate a camp full
| of misery to look ahead for six weeks,
which. 1t is said. will be required to make
| that camp all that the American people be-
| lieye that il ought TO be-
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