The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-13
SICKNESS At CAMP ALGER.
GEN GRAHAM TESTIEIES As TO THE
CONDITION OF HIS COMMAND.
Largely Due 20 the Inexperience
OF omcers Appointed From Civil
Life-DSd Not Know Their Duties.

WASHINGTON, Oct. l2-C;sn- Graham
continued his testimony before the war N
ves,igatiag committee today. He furnish
ed .he committee with a statement snow
ing the percentage % sickness n his COM
rsand from May 10 September -. The
statement showed a gradual increase Tor
the entire period. the highest percentage
being per cent. toward the end u sep
teZaber. II the beginning Of the history
OF Camp Alger there were no bathing
places, but later the men were marched
several miles in hrissstes once week for
baths. There had been no lack OF medical
supplies. but some % the uleticai attend
ants were inexperienced and inefficient
Gen. Graham stated that tha comTnis-
sary supplies were plentiful, but the men
were often without food supplies because
the regimental officers were not SUFFICIENT
ly impressed with the Importance OF draw
Ing their food. In one case an officer OF
a Kansas regiment had refused 10 draw
the fresh beef rations until he could have
a saw with which to cut It up. The gen
erai also found many of them 20 be igno-
rant or the methods OF preparing TIE Es.
QUESTIONS, notwithstanding schooi had
been regularly organized for their ecuca-
ton in these matters. He sad the corps
was for a time short Of wagons for trans
portaSon. owing 10 shipments TO FIoIlos.
This deficiency had occasional some hafd-
Gen. Graham testified 10 temporary
shortages OF hospital linen. ice and other
supplies az Camp Aiger. but did not be-
neve any deaths had been caused thereby.
He posi- lively denied that surface drainage
had found its way into the wells. There
had been complaints OF the hospital al
Dunnloring, charging drunkenness on the
part Of the medical attendants, but the at
tendants were entirely vin'Ecated in the
investigation that followed. Taking it ali
In all, Gen. Graham sad he had no doubt
that the medical department at Camp AL
ger. was adm. nistered in a compete en-; man.
her. No doubt. he said there were indi-
vidual instances or neglect, but they were
not the rule. With the reforms tnaugur-
ated Camp Aiger would have been very
healthfua and the removal 10 Camp Meade
was largely sentimental, and IN ooedlsnce
10 public clamor.
Gen. Graham declared Camp Meade TO
he an ideal camp and we'll supplied. Gen,
Graham said that he would recommend
that In the future there should be regular
officers In AL volunteer reg ments. that
camp tents should be farther apart than
now that arrang ements should be- made
for crema ting al effete matter.
Gen. Graham said some OF the officers
from c.vil life had proved efficient. but
that others were incorFfgihle. Some OF
them were. he said, too old TO learn.
He had no complaint TO make as to the
management Of the war department. but
he thought that the war such an
emergency that the department was at
first no, prepared to meet its demands as
promptly as desirable. HE thought, how
corning the conduct of the war were due
to the ignorance of tie people who med
died without sufficient !nfog mation to en-
able them 10 speak wisely.