Evening star., 1898-06-02
Secretary of War Orders Investigation
at Camp Alger.
TEE LOCATION MAY Be ABANDONED
General Orders Issued Changing
Camps of Regiments.
SOLDIERS SERIOUSLY ILL
Special c,rresporaence # The EvenIn. Star.

CAMP ALGER. Va, June 2 1888.
In consequence of numerous and repeated
complaints against the unhealthfuness or
Camp Algcr the Secretary of War has given
personal instructions :or thorough and
impartial investigation of the sanitary con-
dition of the camp and its surroundings
He has irtrusted this work to his military
aid, Maj. George II. Hopkins of the volua-
teer army, who had considerable experience
in the field during the civil war, and in
who's Judgment military questions Sec
retary Aiger places implicit confidence. Col
c. X. Greenledf, assistant surgeon general,
and Col J. NJ. Moore, assistant quarter
master general. recognized as the highest
authorities in the army en- questions per
tanning TO their respective departments
have been specially detailed to assist Maj
Hopkins in his investigation
The three gentlemen came to camp this
morning and spent the entire day in the
prosecution of the work assigned to them
In accordance with th>ir instructions they
will make their report direct to the Secre-
tary of War as promptly as possible. The
principal complaints made against the camp
are that the water supply is insufficient and
OF bad quality. that it is infested with ver-
min and that existing conditions predispose
the soldiers TO diseases of malarious cnar-
acter.
1t is understood that If the report of the
army board shows that these complaints
are we'll founded the War Department will
order the camp abandoned in favor of
more healthfuI site in this vicinity, al
though the Secretary has said that in case
a suitable place cannot be procured within
a shorter distance from the national capital.
he will establish the camp at Harpers
Ferry or some other salubrious place,
equally or even farther distant from this
city.
The question of tina continuance of the
present camp at Falls Church will depend
altogether on the character of the report of
the board. OF which Maj. Hopkins Is presi-
dent. That beard will undoubtedly COM
plete it's work within the next few days, so
that the important question of the location
of the troops Of the ID Army Corps will not
remain long in abeyance. In anticipation OF
possible change, several tracts OF land In
the vicinity of Washington. most of them
along the upper Potomac, have already been
suggested to the Secretary of War as spe-
cialIy adapted for the encampment of
large body OF troops.
Liquor Positively Prohibited.
Major General Graham this morning or
dered closed all shops and eating houses in
the camp where liquor of any sort is sold.
This action finally terminates the contro-
versy between the authorities of Fairfax
county and Landlord Campbell, who rents
the ground on which the I'd Corps is now
encamped.
The corps commander was first apprised
OF the true situation of affairs this morn
Ing. His information was to the effect that
and being conducted exclusively for conf
missioned officers: that this eanteen was
politely called an officers mess, and that
officers paid a tax of 10 cents per bottle of
beer for the privilege of belonging to the
mess; and, finally, that when a commission
Of county officials, accompanied by the
chaplain of the 9th Pennsylvania, came to
investigate the situation, they We're threat
ened by the landlord and jeered at by
crowd of soldiers.
There was no delay when once the true
situation was understood. Major Vollrath,
the provost marshal, was ordered 10 report
Immediately, and was instructed to close
the so-called officers mess" at once.
Gen. Graham's Statement.
My purpose in Issuing a general order
prohibiting the sale of beer or other alco-
holic beverages in camp said Gen. Gra-
ham to The Stars reporter after issuing
The order, was to conform eractiy with
the custom of the army. When a camp is
located in a local option or prohibition
county the commanding officer of the camp
never permits beer to be sold there. This
Is the invariab.e custom, and it will, of
course. be observed here.
"But commissioned officers have always
enjoyed certain privileges denied the
IL he
They have commission to lose. and their
retention of that commission depends large
ly on their good behavior. My order was
not meant 10 deprive the officers of the
privileges granted them everywhere else.
1t was meant to prevent the sale of liquor
IN a prohibition county, and it will be so
construed and enforced.
Officers will still be permitted to have
consignments of beer or wine sent TO their
tents. but no one will be allowed to sell
beer on the grounds An officers mess is
ridiculous attempt to beat the devil
around the bush, and 1t will not be per-
mitted. As for Mr. Campbell and his privi-
leges. / shall not hesitate to have him put
OF the grounds If his conduct should be at
all disorderly or in anywise in opposition
to the established rules of the camp
Soldiers Seriously Ill.
Three members of the 9th Illinois are re-
ported this morning seriously ill., They
are PriSates Roy Estleman, Company e;
Richard Kelly, Company Nj, and Albert
Crane. Company B. EshIszhan came to
Camp Alger with severe cold and this
cGld mas since developed into consumption
he - TO be at oyce sent TO his home in
SterlnS III T>,e two others. Crane and
he!ly. also Pave coles, but their ailment
Ias deNrJped into typhoid d-pneumonia.
1Esy Woe 1T once taken to Fort Myer
Gp. Frank Anthony. the surgeon of the
9tp Illinois, has done everything possible
under existing conditions to arrest the pro-
gress of the diseases. He has, however
either because of the position of the hos
pital or the aggravated form in which the
complaints manifested themselves, been
vi able to do anything more than keep
them well under control.
Privates Davidson and Stevens of the
same command, who were sent to Fort
Myer some weeks ago. now reported
out OF danger. and recovering rapidly. To-
kether with Davidson and Stevens Mai
Anthony sent Private Frank Burrill who
had caught cold at Springfield. Burriifs
complaint now shows undoubted signs of
tuberculosis. ard unless Improvement is
effected within the next two or three days
he. like Eshleman. will be sent home and
dismissed from the service as physically
A ~