New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-21
PLAIN TALK FROM ALGER.
FRANK DISCUSSION or. CONDITIONS IN
CAMP AT LEXINGTON. KY.
AFTER HEARING STAFF OFFICERS BLAMED THE
SECRETARY SAID HE SHOULD HOLD ALL
COMMANDERS To STRICT

[Rr rrLEGRArn 10 TIE raIErYE. J

Lexington. Ky. Sept 20.-secretary Alger
called all the generals and colonels OF the Ihlrd
Division before him in General BreckinrldSes
tent this afternoon and told them that ne had
sent for them to ask their opinion OF the d.
vision hospital He said there had beer mueh
criticism of the division hospital. and he wanted
to know their views on the subject
General Sanger was the first TO speak. he
declared that while he thought the DIVISION nos
pital was good thing. he was free to say that
as it was conducted it had been a disgrace 70
the service, had robbed the regiments OF their
surgeons. and had entled untold hardships on
sick men who should have had attention at the
proper time General Wiley. who followed Cen
eral Sanger took up the Chickamauga trouble
and said:
The neglect 20 furnish supplies gentlemen
was criminal. While in Chickamauga was IN
command of the division over which fenerai
Sanger Is now and while holding that COM
mand frequently made acquisitions Whicn
were not honored An imperative order had
been sent to MS 10 have all water boiled. Now
YOU can't boil water. Mr. Secretary. without
boilers and made requistion on Chief quar-
termasror Lee for water boilers. No attention
was paid to this. and | repeatedly urged MIN
n send the boilers. as men were taking
drink Falling to get any reply to my repeat
ID kilograms | sent him sassy message ana
] received a prompt reply. which read: The
War Department does not furnish boilers
Failing to get boilers from the War Depart
ment. I bought them myself Bat much valu-
able time had been lost. the seeds Of disease
had been sown: and Mr. Secretary. you have
seen the results Of this criminal negligence in
the large death reports which have been sent
out from every camp in this broad land. These
men IN the Quariermastcrs Department cannot
stand off and say It was somebody else's fault.
II was the fault of Quartermaster Lee. and 1t
was the fault Of Quart armaster Ludirgton, who
is standing right there"
Here he pointed his finger at Ludlngton. who
WINGED perceptibly.
General sternherg came To tho defence Of his
Department. and said:
We have had difficult problem. No requi-
sitions came to Washington which we're not
honored ", honorcd them all promptly and
tried ~ secure the best. regardless Of cost as
Secretary Aleer had instructed us to do II the
medical of'cers failed to do their duty they
should have been reported. II their requsitons
were rot honored complaints should have been
lodged against the proper persons
Secretary Alger closed the meeting by saying:
II want one more word with YOU. | shall hold
each and every one Of you personally response
bic for the sanitary condition Of your camps
ANY officer faillrg to report any negligence in
camp 10 his superior officer shall be held ac-
countable and any higher officer falling 10 cor
rect these things will no severely dealt with
Have every man in his place. With the light
of the Axpe RI ance have had We ought 10 per-
fec, our camps and keep sickness down to a
20. hal hey n r.
being cared FOR as We did in the Civil War. and
I v,il assure Won that there will he no trouble. .
Secretary Alger and his party Inspected Camp
Hamilton and reviewed the troops this morn
,rr surgeon General Sternberg praised the
d,v,sion hospiral The brigade Of immunes was
inspe-ted in the afternoon. The Secretary said
m. condition of the troops was excellent.
After the review tho Secretary made a snort
address 10 the soldiers. admonish,ng them TO ne
strong in their duty 10 their country. he Saii
the Government had always done and would
continue - do all In its power Tor tn" enIIs'ru
men. H declared that all citizens instead ot nnd
irg fault with the Government shouih lr,ln
their .ountrv their assistance by helplns the
soldiers ali they could This sentiment was
,Sarrulv ch@ered and the secretary ADDED mat
he was 4lad 10 say that he had heard excellent
reports from the citizens of Lexington and ne
wanted 10 thank them for the great good tley
had done in furnishing 50 many dencscies Tree
of charge to the sick. ana Tor REFUSING To p'a'-
tise extortion on the well
General Breckenridge spoke next ana pald
Secretary Alger high compliment. as being the
most humane Secretary OF Mar TINS country hdu
ever had He declared that the secretary was
doing all in his power. and was causing others
10 do all in their power, 10 take the best care
of the sick and the we'll
Knoxville. Tenn. Sept. 2o-Camp Poland IL
looking forward 10 the visit Of Secretary Ager
tomorrow The review will take place In the
morning The Secretary and his party will pro
coed AZ once to camp Poland on their arrival
here
Prigadier- General ROsser Is expected here on
September 2S TO take command of tho Thrd
Dripade He has been at home sick.