Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-10-01
TRIP OF INSPECTION.
Secretary Of War Alger Returns
from His Visit to the Camps.
VERBAL REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT.
The Secretary Says That In General Way
the Camps We're Kept enthusiastically
Although Some Points Might
No Improved Upon.

Washington, Sept 20. Secretary Al
ger has returned to Washington. He
came to the war department immedi-
ately after breakfast yesterday and
was soon besieged by number Of per-
sons who had been waiting for his re-
turn. The secretary looked much i'm
proved by his trip, although 1t was
filed with hard work after he left De-
troit Later he made verbal report
TO the president on the inspection Of
the army camps which he has just
concluded. He was occupied with the
president for 2lS hours. During the
interview Secretary Long came over
from the navy department and joined
the party in the cabinet room. On
leaving the white house Secretary AL
ger said he was much gratified with
the conditions of the camps generally.
He refrained from specifically charg.
ing exaggeration of conditions Of
camp life, but said the results
OF the trip of inspection were
quite satisfactory. He had visited,
he said, every one Of the camps, tho
hospitals and the sick. He was graft
fed especially to find the men in the
hospitals steadily improving, and that
there were SO many convalescent,
where the odds against them from
their maladies had been great Most
of the men in the hospitals, he said,
were in good spirits, cheerful and
happy and brightly looking forward
to the time when they would be we'll
again. In q general way the camps
were kept satisfactorily, but there
were, he conceded, points which might
have been improved upon, citing par
ticularly the unsatisfactory condition
of the sinks at some places. At jack
sonville, he said, the reports seemed
to show fairly large proportion
of sick, but be said this per-
centage was to be accounted for
by the fact that the sick of
all the regi ments departing and
mustered out were kept in the camp.
1.-THE main trouble l found" said Sec
rotary Alger, WAS perhaps the lack Of
care the troops took OF themselves
This was one Of the great difficulties
encountered. Tents outside the camps
conducted by private enterprise proved
too tempting for the soldiers and the
results of improper and injudicious
eating soon manifested themselves in
the general condition of the men.
These were things which sometimes
could not be helped and where there
was 4 most rigid discipline along these
lines the improved state Of affairs was
evident" The secretary said the re-
forms or changes which might result
from this inspection would be discussed
later.
Secretary Alger says the report OF a
scene In Gen. Breckinridge's headquar-
tiers at Lexington, when he was in
specting that camp, is absolutely with
out foundation. There were no high
words, and no excited language and
no scene. The secretary says the story
was made out OF whole cloth. Secre-
tary Alger and Gems. Ludington and
Sternberg each have letters from Gen.
Wiley, who was reported as having
made accusations against them ex-
pressing his regret that any such re-
port was circulated. That to Secretary
Alger follows:
Camp Hamilton Ky. Sept ss-My Dear
Gen Alger: hear that some OF the northern
papers are making great display Of headlines
showing how I pitched into" Gems Alger.
Ludlngton and Sternberg at Gen Brecken-
ridges headquarters on the Goth inst-"How
called you down." eta lot OF untruthful
trash Every word said was directed TO you
personally. and we were within four or i've
feet OF each other and you no doubt heard every
word OF It Not word or sentence was uttered
ut that or any other time with reference to
yourself Gen Ludington or Gen. Sternberg.
except In expression OF the highest regard and
respect for your successful and faithful per-
Torrance OF great task am very respect
fully your obedient servant.
JOHN A. WILEY,
nrI0adier Canarnl VOluntearR