The times., 1898-10-28
ALGER'S POOR 7HN9AGE
The Relief Commission Un-
earths More Trouble.
TROOPS HEALTH In PERIL
Rain Pours Through the Eight
Ounce Duck-Doctors Fear Lung
Troubles, Fever and Pneumonia
Col. Duffy Condemns the Tampa
Camp - Fatuous Attempt at Ex-
culpatiOn.

Huntsville, Ala, Oct. 27.-The investiga-
ton proceedings were resumed by the AL
ger Relief Commission here today. The
testimony was of much the same non
committal sort as yesterday.
Col. Duffy, of the Fifty-ninth New
York, testified that there was no lack
of commissary supplies but some delay
was experienced in receiving quartermas-
ter's supplies. Tentage had been poor. He
said that sickness in his regiment was
due to the swampy location OF the camp
at Tampa. He did not know why it was
not removed to higher ground.
Capt. Charles Parkhurst, of the Second
Artillery, testified that there were provi-
sions enough for his men on the LIST and
I'd of July before Santiago. but that they
did not have time to cook them and con-
sequently suffered.
Lieut.. John Conklin, of Battery a, when
asked about conditions at Montauk Point,
said the excellence Of the food there was
beyond all expectations. 1t was undream-
ed of and the men ate so much as to
become Ill. He only knew of one case
where man had been dismissed from the
general hospital unit to travel
The commission examined Daniel ].
Nevins, sergeant in Company G. Sixty
ninth New York, and Private Patrick J.
Finan. of Company B. Of the same regi-
ment. Nevins expressed himself IS very
well satisfied with the cond lions in the
regiment. but FiEan complained that he
did not get enough bread.
In the afternoon the members of the Al
ger Relief Commission drove u the camps
and made careful inspection.
Chairman Dodge tonight authorized the
statement that the Commission was well
impressed with tae splendid appe rance
OF the troops.
Few complaints were received except
from some OF the volunteer commands
In the SiXty-ninth New York there was
some complaint but the majority of tie
men We're very well satisfied.
There is general complaint in near,y
all camps about the condition Of the tent
age. and the Commission has determined
TO investigate the contracts fof this ma
teriaL All the new te2tase issued at
Montauk Point to these mer. is practically
worthless. Much of it is only eight-ouncs
duck, and in rain the water pours
through and the men are drenchej. Con-
sidering the cold weather prevailing here,
the troops are not very comfortable un-
der such circumstances. ana unless sCon
remedied the doctors believe 1t Will result
in lung troubles fever. and pneumonia.
In several of the cavalry regiments this
teuJage has been condemned, but 10
other has been issued.
The use of conical wall tents has been
recommended for winter, as they have
room for a stove. There is some dis
satisfaction also because of the delay in
the arrival of winter clothing, but the
men say they have been informed that
these are now on the way to Huntsville.
The inspection of the camp force will,
doubtless, lead to some report by the
Commission that will hasten the provi-
sioning of the men.
The Fifth Cavalry, which is TO leave
soon for Porto Rico, is fully equipped.
Preparations have been made for 1t to
leave Huntsville next Tuesday
A special session was held tonight TO
listen to the testimony of DR.. Charles
Martin Lee. who was the surgeon in
charge of the detention hospital at Mon
tauk Point. He charged that there was
not tentage sufficient for the patients and
overcrowding followed. Several times
sour milk was delivered at the hospitals.
On other occasions it soured for want OF
ice to keep it.
Altogether there were fourteen surgeons
TO care for the patients that at one time
numbered about 100. In his opinion. men
suffered for medical attention because of
lack of proper hospital furniture.
The methods of treatment were not
modern. and. considering that they were
very near New York city. he did not con-
slider that the sick received such treat
ment as could be expected. Notwith-
standing these conditions, the men did
not complain.
He approximated the total number Of
cases during his stay there at about 1,5)J.
OF this number he thought not 90 died.