The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-06-04
BETTER WATER SUPPLY.
General Graham Promises 10 Give
Relief to the Thirteenth.

Special from a Staff Correspondent
Camp Alger June 3.-The Thirteenth
regiment was the fourth command to
put in an appearance at Camp Alger,
arriving here May 10, two weeks ago.
1t was promised them that arrange
ments to provide a good and sufficient
water supply were under way and that
within a few days the Thirteenth
would be provided with plenty of water.
The promise has not as yet been full
filled and no steps have been taken to
keep the promise good.
Yesterday Acting Colonel Stillwell
ard Acting Surgeon Major Keller went
direct TO Major General Graham and
told him in plain terms that the Thir-
teenth wants better water supply
and that right away. General Graham
called in Colonel Girard. chief surgeon
of the corps, and interrogated him
about the Thirteenth's water supply
Just what the nature of the interrog-
atories We're or what replies Colonel
Girard made is not known, but it is
very evident that the generals ques-
tions were rather pointed, for when
the chief surgeon emerged from the
interview he went over to the Thir-
teenth's officers and told them in a
roundabout way that they were too
fresh; that the complaint should have
been transmitted to him through the
brigade surgeon. and that they were
discourteOus, if not to say insolent, in
taking the matter over his head to the
commanding general.
That was just what Lieutenant Kel-
Ter was waiting for. 1t was expected
the chief surgeon would be heard in
just about that strain.
That is very true" said Lieutenant
Keller, "but when the prescribed means
do not bring the desired relief other
means must be tried Colonel Grard
wanted TO know what he meant.
Just this" rejoined Lieutenant Kel-
Ter. Major Parke sent a complaint to
the medical board Of the war depart
ment two davs after we arrived here,
setting forth that the water supply
was scant and of a poor quality: that
II was in danger of contamination from
surface and sink drainage, and that q
sanitary officer should be appointed 70
look into the matter and make recon-
mendations for the betterment of the
Conditions.
You were sent here at that time as
chlef surgeon on General Graham's
staff with special instructions to give
the water supply your first attention.
A few days later Major Parke's COM
plant came back to him with a mes
sage to the effect that he must he mis-
taken, as Colonel Girard found the
water supply TO be all right. We are
responsible for the health of the men
In our regiment and in line with what
We regard as our duty we have made
this direct complaint after finding tbat
the formal one has been Intellectual"
General Graham had joined the grour
While Lieutenant Keller's little speech
was on and heard the greater part of il
Before Colonel Girard could saw any.
= thing, General Graham broke in witt
Colonel, we will ride over and person
ally investigate this matter" With E
big string of aides and accompanied by
Colonel Girard, General Graham pro
ceeded to the Thirteenths camp.
Whether 1t was that someone whC
overheard the conversation, fastened Il
the camp by a short cut and gave motto,
of the coming of the general or wheth
er 1t just happened that all the com
pany cooks wanted water at that par
tlcular hour cannot be said with Ger
tainty, but at all events, when the gen
eral and his party was led into tn,
camp by Major Stlllwell and Lieuten
ant Keller, sixty or seventy men will
buckets and boilers stood around tn,
little spring waiting their turn To-
water.
General Graham looked at the size o