The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-02
The War Investigating Commission
Given Something to Look Into.
THE DRINKING WATER TAINTED.
AmbuIances Needed to Transport the
Sick Used by Friends Of the Off
cers-DeliCacies for the Pa
tients Consumed by the
Physicians-Thc Wit
nesses Ready,

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1.-The War IN
vestigating Commission devoted its time
to-day largely to the consideration OF 4
statement filed by Mr.. Nelson Hersch on
behalf Of the New York World, giving
what he styles. a record OF facts con-
cerning the establishment Of Camp Wikof
and its management, together with spe-
cidc instances Of abuses, charged 70 have
existed; dates, number of sick in hospi-
tails. deaths, etc. IL is asserted that al
the time M0ntauk P0in was selected as
the site for the camp ii was "a DafIeh
waste" II IS charged that when the
first detachment OF 215 troops arrived Au-
gust Sth "the camp was not READY 10 re-
Ncelve them, and they slept upon lhelr
blankets and in the open air ana no 'en'S
had arrived" This, it IS added, was
eleven days since It had been declded 10
establish the camp. -o.
THE SICK SUFFERING.
Continuing. the assertion is made that
nv the 10Th of August the sick were re-
norted suffering from want OF proper ac-
commodatlons and food. that their tents
were without floors. and with only their
blankets between the sick men and the
Ground. and that a glass OF sour mix
=
apiece was the only nourlshment tney
received I'm twenty-four hours. Inc war
Department IS charged with frequent
changes Of plans. and 10 is asserted that
General Young was given only SIX days
for thc preDaratiOn Of the camp before
the arrival OF the troops when Two weeks
were necessary, which caused great
ON the 18th OF August DR.. Edison visited
the camp and found that the l'iyJ troops
there were also wholly dependent lor
water for drinking purposes on q pouy
of water without inlet or outlet. known
or port pond. This pond received I'M
pure drainage. and the doctor found tne
v-tcr to contain ninety grains ~ st't
10 the gallon. ...-.l.r.
A CONSTANT MENACE.
This condition. he said, caused disease
aud rendered the pond constant menace
20 tbe men. BY August 30th there were
On ooO men I'm camp and 1900 IN the hos
pital with many unable 10 secure ad-
mission from the transports. The regu-
lars we're reported TO be suffering for the
nocoesaries of life and had received no
nav for three months. Contract surgeon
were reported 10 be living al the eA-
pense of the patients.
after the doctors had lunched' says
the account. "twenty-hye empty Apoli'
naris bottles were counted on the table
said TO have been diverted from the hos
pital stores
Particulars are given OF the death ID
his tent Of Private Hugh Merritt on Au-
gust 22d. and it was said Or. Talbot re-
fused him permission 20 enter the nos
pltal on the ground that he was not SICK
LACK OF AA1D . FCES-
The assertion IS made that when on
the 9Th Of September DR.. Lee went 10
Camp Wikon with q speciabu ualn no take
sick soldiers 10 the Brooklyn hospllal
che was unable 20 get more than tiieen
men TO the train on account Of the lack
of ambulanccs. which were being used
fo carry sightseors around the camp
While hundreds Of sick soldiers were
waiting to be transferred to foats and
trains dozen ambulances were M the
deDot filed with lauehing men and wo.
men who were seeing the camp Ni.
officer friends.
After this incident General Young gave
orders that the amhulances were 10 be
used for the transportation Of fhe sicl
A l0ng list of witnesses was forwarded,
and there was a general request that cor
respondents and reporters OF the World
be called.
The commission directed that a reply
be forwarded 10 Mr.. Hirsch informing
him that the statement should have care
! ful consideration.