The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-15
MAJOR SEAMAN UNDER FIRE
a FUsILLADE OF QUESTIONS By THU
WAR INVESTTGATORs.

md Milk-Ha Repudintcs the Alleged
Interview with HIN In the Herald.
r. WASHINGTON. oct. 14.-Msior Louis I,.seA-
man appeared before the War Investigating
Commission this morning. He has been
quoted in the newspapers IA criticising the adj
ministratlon of the War Department. making
charges about the treatment OF soldiers IN
Santiago and Porto Rico. and was ordered here
20 admit or deny the truth of the intsrYiews.
He gave his address as 10 West Thirty
third street, New York city. and said he
was appointed by the President as Chief
Surgeon of the First Volunteer rEngi-
neers. He said be had received military
instruction at Cornell University. but did
not graduate there. He studied medicine
in Philadelphia and New York and then went
abroad and completed his studies at vienna.
wurtemberg. Berlin and Paris. His first duty
as surgeon was with his regiment at Camp
Townsend, N. Y. Speaking OF Camp Towns
end. he said that the supplies we're album
dant. His acquisitions we're promptly hon
ored, and when he went to the front his regi-
ment, he thought. was better equipped with
medicines and Instruments than any regiment
that left the United States. We expected
surgery and went prepared for 1t" was his re-
mark. The regiment was ordered TO forto
Rico and went on the transport Chester. Inc
voyage occupied twelve days. and there was
NOV HuCu llI0So VII bO"iN' 49,
trip consisted OF the regular army ration.
canned beef, salt pork. potatoes. hardtack and
beans, There was very little rice. but there
were no complaints from the men. On arriv-
ing in Porto Rico Major Seaman was assigned
TO general hospital service. and his duties did
not confne him with his regiment.
Gov. Beaverton were at no time In need OF
medical supplies that were not furnisheI A.
Never, sir.
Q.-You had ~tentage? Ave had sufhcient
tentage and ambulances.
Q.-How about the Commissary DEPARTMENT.
A.-There was the regular army ration. The
same as is used in the North, 4O' below zero.
although we were in n tropical innate.
Q.-What change would you suggest2 A.
I should take advantage Of my experience in
India and feed troops more OF rice and less OF
meat. .... e.,
Major Seaman declared that fresh meat was
foisted on the troops. Men we're compelled to
take it and were not allowed to have the money
value OF the rations so they could spend il for
rice and potatoes and other articles. Rice was
very scarce. The commissary did not have it.
ReQuisition was made for it. TIL beef was
supplied principally from this country. The
men did not want 1t. but they were obliged to
take It, as the supply was there. The sick
were supplied with regular army rations. The
only other food was supplied by private contri-
{ buttons and the Rel Cross. There was no
starvation. but the diet did not afford q suffi-
cient change. In his regiment the men had a
change. because he supplied it out Of his W
pocket and got articles from the Red Cross.
Speaking OF Secretary Ayers order that go
cents q day was allowed each man. he said he
did not have the money to spend. He de-
manded the money from Lieut.. Hastings. the
Commissary of his regiment. who replied that
he did not have it. He went to the corps sur
- R---1 ~ "a ,raa n~k n,ap plta fn ~
. regiment. He could not give the date he made
fr the requisition. :,
: vition in writing for the 6o-cent Communication.
Did your asked Coy; Beaver. q
me l asis %i' the c samiiEsa y q at Z the the mess g st tabs IL
4 Re t9 eas no 3 G, isetiop - because 'ss use I he did mot not much much
Gov, Beaver next directed his inquiries, to
the fitting out Of the OLDHAM and the trip viii,
, supplies on the OLDHAM were pronounced sum.
Gent. The food, though; consisted only. Of,
%Ss sIses saWy a endye ths sNt Quality h faf-. au Asked
about the adaptabilitys Of the ration for use on
I~ations furnished as the proper food for CON
Salescent patients getting over typhoid. l ap-
Pealed to the Red Cross. though. for the proper
!, 9a-What was the condition Ct your men
ceptiohy the men came into port at New York
weighing from I'm. one to five pounds more than than
G shat Of t q San 1s Who pS aisd' on Ia me s aoSsse. was
9;mDid you make Ee SSst.aIdS for Or % milk
tions would be allowed. and for that reason did
mot make a written requisition, for anything
S what | i've %a6 TED rom Sea nh fSe S ReS cr SsSsus I MADE ! SHe
{eqpisltiQn for the regular rations. as directed
Did he, Specifically direct you to make only
that reQplsltion2" was the next question.
nation 2 copy Of his order to take charge Of
the OLDHAM. This order directed him to SO;
Tation Hn " He said he never made a re4Gisiti"n
on the medical depot for tea and milk, which
sIss { IL part Hto Of teS T fTSm th su Rea joro %sG sSe ietII
The Ned Cross did not oher the articles to
SWafe ne eb ask t6e ToF co 5asp be ne peo sSia ae ,r %as n fSs
i, You diId not ask. how did you expect to
Il don't think that question necessary
t ahfV WERE reSor nef th MS9o1b eeaman' l was 'oio
.s.%ho told your" demanded Gov. Beaver.
9 snSSSsf Is h sP01 Ht16 Sns tT spfseon.
Major Seaman admitted that he had no
there was tea and coRdeased milk at the
medical depot and that he did not make requi-
-0l@Hb1o T You make AXE Sq tSe I statement that the
sSoSs oonSaie sis n9 81 fq fEe obd RTSRserA ' f2Hd ao for
Dr.. Connor-Which was easier, to 60 to the
a9IsitionS xHEThes Red Gross was easier.
&+T1b IHb why you W6uU IHcE6. mo-. i
had only six hours to supply the ship.
uQ;-pid you not know that you had author
ossAry, TO properly supply herr Al did not.
9:.Did you make q formal written com
Re lsi1 sIe E '3 AZ Gnd iId iR not. n / pa sst nG so aSG& fSt
IN writing.
Col. DENLY interrupted to inquire If It really
was Major Seaman's direct duty to make re-
QUESTION for any hospital supplies as on de-
Gached service.
cit was the duty Of the surgeon in charge of
the hospitals" said Major Seaman.
, DIR. Connor-AS surgeon Of your own reRi.
emit. was 1t not your duty to make written re-
2uisttionl,, Al suppose it was. but 1 got 1t
from outside.
Q--And you made no formal equisition on the
proper authority for Communication for the
. elekY Al did not in writing. because l
undeEstood to be useless. Il
. 9tEWho aid you talk y over WITH A.
& Surgeon General. Major Snowden, Surgeon.
tn-yhieL. and Major Birmingham Of the gem