The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-13
GEN. GRAHAM STILL ON STAND.
HIS TESTIMONY CONTINUED RE
FORE THE WAR COMMISSION.

some Instances of Shortage of Sup
plies, But in Every Case a Remedy
Was Quickly Applied-Regimcnta
Officers Not Impressed with the
Importance of Drawing Their
Food-SOme Officers From Civn
Life Efficient and some Too ola
TO Learn.
Washington, Oct. 12.-Gen. Graham con-
tinued his testimony before the war In
vestgating commission to-day. He be-
heved that the proximity of the tents to
one another at Camp Agler was response
bic more than any cause for the sickness
there and said the medical officers also
were of this opinion. He thought the want
of water for bathing purposes and the
habits OF the men in eating other food
there than that prescribed by the regula-
tions had had deleterious influence. In
the beginning of the history of the camp
there were no bathing facilities, but later
the men were marched seven miles in bril-
gades once a week for baths.
Gen. Graham stated that while the com
missary supplies were plentiful. the men
were often without the prescribed food be-
cause the regimental officers were not
sufficiently impressed with the Importance
of drawing their food This was especial
~ true in the matter of fresh meat
He said that the corps was for a time
short of wagons for transportation. owing
to shipments to Florida. This deficiency
had occasoned some hardship to the men.
Gen. Graham said that in the case of
most Of the regiments there was consid-
cradle delay in supplying them with arms
and ammunition first attention being al
ways given to the troops to be forwarded
to the front
For time during the epidemic of meas
les there was a shortage of hospital linen
for the beds, but the deficiency was only
temporary. Secretary Alger had spoken
TO him personally about keeping up the
supplies for the sick asking that he (the
secretary be personally informed when
there was a deficiency and assuring him
the demand would be Immediately met.
There were occasionally shortages in other
supplies, such as ice, but he did not be-
lieve that any deaths had been due 10 this
cause. Ex-Gov. Woodbury. and DR.. Con
nor examined Gen. Graham in regard 70
the space occupied by the camp.
DR.. Connor said II had been definitely
stated to him by a medical officer that
surface drainage had found its way into
the wells.
Il positively deny It," responded Gen.
Graham
Taking It all in all, Gen. Graham said.
he had no doubt that the medical depact
ment at Camp Alger was administered In
a competent manner No doubt. he gaid
there was individual instances Of neglect
but they were not the rule. With the re-
forms inaugurated Camp Alger would
have been very healthful, and the removal
TO Camp Meade was largely sentimental.
and In obedience to public clamor Gen.
Graham declared Camp Meade TO be an
ideal camp, splendidly located and we'll
supplied with camp necessities.
At the afternoon session Gen Graham
was examined with reference to some crit
icisms of Camp Alger made by Col Smart
deputy surgeon general of the army
Gen. Graham said he remembered Col
Smarts visit, but that the colonel had
made no complaint 10 him beyond point
ing out, verbally, that the camp OF the
Pennsylvania troops were too close to-
gether for sanitary purposes. change
of site was Immediately ordered so as to
permit expansion.
Referring to officers appointed from civil
life, Gen. Graham said some of them had
proved efficient, but that others were in
corrigible. Some of them, he said, were
too old to learn.
Gen. Graham said he had no complaint
10 make as to the management of the
war department. but he thought the war
was such an emergency that the depart
ment was not at first prepared to meet
its demands as promptly as might have
been considered desirable. He thought.
however, that the criticisms of citizens
concerning the conduct of the war were
due to the ignorance of the people who
meddled without sufficient information TO
enable them to speak wisely. He had
experienced some delay in the beginning
OF the camp history on account of red
tape methods, but when the Secretary of
War heard of this he told him to report
directly TO him (the secretary.