New-York tribune., 1898-11-22
TESTIMONY ABOUT MONTAUK.
WITNESSES TELL OF CONDITIONS AT
CAMP wIKOFF
TWO PHYSICIANS SAY TYPHOID PATIENTS WE'RE
ALLOWED TO LEAVE CAMP TOO SOON
S J.. PARRISH WANTS
CONGRESS INVESTIGATION.

The War Investigation Commission was mainly
occupied yesterday the third day OF its inquiries
n this city in hearing evidence relating the
G,.ons which prevailed at Camp Wikon The tesu-
rnony OF witnesses who visited Montauk either In
a professional capacity or relief workers went TO
show that many shortcomings existed in the camp.
II was declared that there great made
ouacy OF hospital accommodations and that there
was want OF proper supplies for invalids and
even OF food In the earlier days OF the camp. 1t
was also said that large numbers of suffering
from typhoid fever were allowed TO leave Montauk
or .urlough. and were subsequently found in the
streets Of this city. unable for themselves
While these men were Immediately received into
the metropolitan hospitals and most OF them re-
covered witnesses believed that there was want
q precauton on the part OF the military medical
oHicers at Montauk which might have led to a
wide dissemination of the infectious typhoid dis
case in this and other cities.
II has been frequently asserted that the enorts
o. the Commission might be impeded by the fact
that the Commission has no power to compel test'-
nlony or 20 punish witnesses for contempt. This
illustrated yesterday when one OF the most I'M
portant witnesses OF the day. who has knowledge
OF Camp Wikoff through personal observation. re-
fused natly to give the information the Commission
IS seeking. The witness refused 10 put himself
IN what he considered nvidious position
lie declined TO put himself in the light Of man
who came forward voluntarily TO bestow critical
;udgment upon the administration OF Camp Wikof
and 10 st!gmatze certain officers as incompetent
The witness was Samuel l.. Parrish. a lawyer or
this city. who did a considerable amount OF rele'
work at Montauk He intmated that before wit
nesses would dvulge all they knew II was neces-
sary that they should be proteCted-that II should
be known that their evidence was compelled under
the pain Of punishment for contempt There were
hundreds OF officers Mr.. Parrish declared. who
would be delighted TO testify to facts which came
within their experience II they were protected as
,e suggested. The truth coud be aScertained,
rf.I r,-. Gov inv
A TILT WITH THE COMMISSION.
The statement OF his views led somewhat
breezy encounter between Mr.. Parrish and the Com
mission The matter brought up by General
NcCook asking: "Dd you any officer OF the
Army or any other officer neslecting his duty in any
way?
General. that Is a pretty hard question" replied
NJ Parrish, because II you had the power OF pun
isament for contempt | would have to answer, and
ma. is the trouble with this Commission. man
does not feel he Is protected because every
he says is really volunteer testimony. and there
fore
Colonel Sexton Gnterrupting)-But you don't need
any protection: you're private citizen.
Yes ! know" persisted iho witness. but know
q case where ! think most improper
man 70 have in a responsible position. and yet
would not Ike 10 say 80. He treated me very niceiy
personally and FOR ne 10 come here and voluntarily
cay that l think he was thoroughly incompetent
person. don't think that would help.
You yourself" said Or. Conner ARE acquainted
with the facts. The country is complaining OF the
Government and certain officers Of the Govern
ment. and particularly that the medical department
Of the Government rad not been doing It's duty
You are familiar with tho fact that the Comn Ssion
Is appointed without authority 20 compel you 10
answer; do you think It fair TO any parties TO the
country. or TO us the Army TO decline 10 give
Us facts that you have. and TO decline IT on 'ne
ground that can't compel you 10 give H.?
kaya 0iSa nv nprE
lions which were pleasant. and against an In
dyi.ual 1t seems TO me that your Commission ought
20 have been clothed with authority TO compel test-
mony % arrive at the thoroughly Satisfactory
knowledge OF great many things that you can't
get Otherwise because as say. the people feel just
as do There are hundreds OF officers who would
he delighted to tell you wha; they knew II they
could protect themselves by stating wis, they had
TO tell" - ..-.,
You are The first man that has said this TO this
Commission" exclaimed Dr. Conner angrily' 'tha'
YOU decline 70 give information because you are not
compelled 70 give f.. There has been great outcry
in this country and all sorts Of charges are made
and the newspapers are fun Of the crimes ana enor-
mites and we ask you aid us in finding out VINO
is at fault. and you reply that you are not com
PEELED to-"
Il am glad that you put IT that way. say that
yoi, can't get al the truth here except by Con-
sressonal investigation that has power to compel
hope the gentlemen will take that down. returned
Mr Parrish. ,
The Army officers do not seem TO he afraid. said
DR. Conner "and they are the only people that need
to shield themselves. because the President OF the
1-nied States says he will stand by any Army Off
cer who tells us all he knows and we have uni
torrolv said we will stand between you by the au-
thority OF the President and any consequences ars-
ing by your telling all you know. You are pT'-
,ate citizen. nobody can command you and there Is
no libel IN Il.
M, position Is accentuated as showing tho
necessttv or a Congressional investigation" replied
Mr Parrish
We did not appoint ourselves" said Colonel
Sexton.
.I would be very glad to hear anything further
mat Won have 10 say on the subject" said DR..
Conner although having declined TO give the IN
formation asked for, that IS the end as far as am
ooncer ned"
Il snail have TO continue 10 decline"
THAT Is your privilege" put in General Beaver.
sharnlv III there are other gentlemen like you
who want 20 testify before Congressional COM
rnittee and A trip TO Washington. you may not
have an opportunity to do So and It would be bet
ter for you 20 testify before US now
General II you by that that am per-
sonally seeking a trip TO Washington at the ex-
pense % the Government you do me an MUS
tice'-
Il don't say that" Interrupted General Beaver
Il consider that very unfair suggestion" said
NJ Parrish "and II you knew a little more about
me and my position IN this community. and the
fact that ~ wanted 10 go 70 Washington could
do so | don't think you would make IT."
After some further talk Mr. Parrish ended the dis
pute by leaving the witness-cha!r.
COLONEL. ROOSEVELT CALLED.
colonel Theod re Roosevelt was invited yesterday
10y telegraph 10 appear before the Commission on
a Gay mutually 20 be agreed upon. Up 10 the hour
when the Commission adjourned a reply had not
been received from Colonel Roosevelt, but rs. he
Will te a. the Fifth Avenue Hotel to-day 10 attend
conferences at the Republican headquarters he VIII
undoubtedly consult with the Commission as 70
the most conyenen, time for taking his testimony.
before opening the morning session yesterday the