Evening star., 1916-07-30
DENIES OFFICIALS
NEGLECTED TROOPS
Secretary Baker Answers
Queries About Transporta-
ton to the Border. =

Secretary Of War Baker yesterday made
a report on the transportation of troops
to the border in which he answered the
several resolutions of inquiry introduced
in the House by Representative ]. Hamp-
ton Moore of Philadelphia, Representative
Madden of Illinois and others. In effect.
the reply of the Secretary was that all
possible care had been taken with Ma
tional Guardsmen and thAt if there had
been a lack of food anywhere it will
proba bly, be traced to the inexperience
of National Guard officers. He also said
that while in some cases the guardsmen
had been transported IN day coaches, no
cars without lights and water had been
used. and that no troop trains had been
unreasonably sidetracked.
He asserted that the ratfons issued
were those of the regular army Where
cooking equipments were not placed
on trains. the men were furnished
money for coffee the same as troops
Of the regular army under similar con-
ditions.
Few Day Coaches Used.
The report states that day coaches
were used only in cases where, owing
to the urgency of the situation and the
large number of troops being moved at
one time. 1t was not practical to de-
lay. Where day coaches were assigned
three men were placed in each four
seats. In some cases railroads with
out extra charge allowed two men to
four seats. Wherever possible the men
tourist cars.
There was no reason for troopsxeek-
ing food of citizens. en- route" ne adds.
1T is not possible. unless rations have
been throwh away. that troops which
have been reported short of rations
could kave/been short. Every precau-
ton was taken to see that they started
with an ample SUPPLY. These troops are
largely recruits unframed and undis-
ciplined and under officers of compare
lively little experience"
Acting @. M. Gen. Sharpe re-
ported that to have moved all the troops
in Pullman or tourist cars would have
required 5000 cars. The Pullman COM
pany made available for the troops 80
per cent Of all tourist cars 1t owns.
Commends Conditions on Border.
Representative Slayden. who all
through the Mexican troubles has
been one of the administrations crit
les for not using the guard on the
border, spoke in the House yesterday
in commentator of the condition of
the guardsmen and conditions on the
border generally
I'VE now have an army on the Mex
lean border and across the inter-
national boundary SO well prepared
for any prospective duty that no citi-
zen need give himself the slightest
uneasiness as to what will happen"
said he.
Mr.. Slayden declared troops had
been moved without hitch and with
all dispatch necessary.
'"These troops" he said, were moved
in safety and comfort even If Pullman
berths and nine-foot linen sheets could
not be supplied to all the men, If Pull
man berths are to be supplied to all
the men of the ever-increasing armies
in all their movements. it Is a new
idea In campaigning. To pass two or
three nights in an ordinary day coach
once or twice In lifetime Is an en-
durable hardship, and one that the
great majority of our people undergo
in their travels. Solicitous governors
who are candidates again seem to have
forgotten the regulars. from whom no
complaints have come"