The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-29
ALGER IS AGAIN
IN WASHINGTON.
Secretary Of War Returns from His
Inspection Of Camps.
HE EXPRESSES QUALIFICATION,
The Cause of Much of the Sickness He
Lays Upon the Carcicssness of the
Men General John \. Wiley
Makes a General Denial.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 2s.-secretary
Alper has returned to Washington. He
came TO the War Department immediate
~ after breakfast and was soon besieged
bv 2 number Of persons VINO have been
waiting for his return. The Secretary
looked much improved by his trip, al
though II was filled with hard work after
he left Detroit
He said that he gained a great deal Of
information as TO conditions I'm the camps
and hospitals by his inspection, when
might take shape I'm official action soon
About noon he went 10 the White House
and had a long talk with the president
about army conditions $50.
REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT
The Secretary made a verbal report 10
the President on the inspection 81 the
army camps which he has just conciuoeu-
During the interview Secretary Long
came over from the Navy Department
with o. friend and joined the party IN the
Cabinet room.
ON leaving the White House Secretary
Alrer said he was much gratihed with inc
condition of tine camps generally. ne
refrained from specifically charging eN-
aggeration OF conditions Of camp ire bul
said the results of the trip OF inspection
were quite satisfactory. lie had Nleli'u'
no said every one OF the camps. the hos
pitfalls and the sick He was grained es-
pecinIlv 10 End the men In the hospitals
steadily improving and that there was
81 many c01valescents Most or the men
I'm the hospitals. he said. were In gouu
snirits. cheerful and happy and brightly
looking forward 10 the time wnsn they
would be well again lu general way
the camps were kept satisfactorily. nut
there were. he conceded numerous points
which might be improved upon. citing -
pccialiy the unsatisfactory condition OF
tho sinks at some points A. Jackson
Vile he said the reports seemed 10 show
a fairly large proportion OF sick. hlt ne
said the percentage OF sickness was ac-
counted for by The fact that the men
sick Of an regiments departing and mus
tered out were kept in the camp.
THE MEN CARELESS
"The main trouble said Secretary Al
ger. (which / found was perhaps inc
matter OF the troops not taxing care Oh
themselves AT some points the eating
tents outside the camps conducted 10y
private enterprises. proved too tempting
for soldirs and the results Of improper
and iujudicious taking Of food soon I'M
Tested themselves in the CONDITION OF lhe
mon. There are sometimes things Whlcn
cannot be helped. there was more rlsld
discipline along these lines ana inc I'm.
proved state OF affairs was very evident
The Secretary said that the report or a
scene i'm General Breckinridges hcadquar-
tors i'm Lexington when ne was inspecting
that camp is absolutely without fOunda-
t1n. There was no scene, no hlSn
words and no excited language. The
Secretary SAYS the story was made OF
the whole cloth. Secretary Alger and
Generals Ludington and Sternoefg each
have letters from General Wiley VINO
was reported as having made accusations
against them. expressing his regret thar
any such report was circulated. That 20
Secretary Alger was as follows:
GENERAL WILEY ; DENIAL
"Heldquarters First Brigade.
Third Division, First Army corps,
Camp Hamilton. KY. September =.
"AIv Dear General Alger,-I hear that
some of the northern papers are making
great display of headlines showing how
.pitched into Generals Alger Luding-
tom and Sternberg M General Breckin-
ridges headquarters on the 10th instant,
how called YOU down. etc. A Tot OF
untruthlul trash.
"Everv word I said was directed 10 you
personally. and we were wlsnn four or
FIVE feet OF each other and you no DOUBT
heard every word of IT, Not word or a
sentence was uttered az that or any othei
time with reference 20 yourself, General
Tudiugton or General Stemberg except in
expression OF the highest regard and
respect for your successful and faithful
performance OF a great task.
81 am. very respectfully. your obedieni
servant
egned JOHN a. WILEY,
"Brigadler General Volunteers