New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-30
U.S.S. Solace
Germ Ridden,
Sailors Say
Round Robin Letter Charg-
ing Terrible Conditions
Read in Senate
Dishes Washed in
Infected Water
Fever Victim Blanket Gov
ers Man with Mumps,
1t Is Alleged

Wasnlngton, May Ey.-DlSnes "dSueV
in water reeking with scarlet fever and
measles germs, blotted dry with toilet
paper, and distributed for the next
meal; sleeping blankets used by man
one night who had scarlet fever, the
next night by man with the mumps;
sailors with temperatures ranging u
to 103 compelled to carry their bag
gage and forced to sleep on an open
deck at sea with only germ-infested
blankets for cover-these are a few
details charged in a roundrobin let
ter signed by thirty sailors on the u.
s. S. Solace and read to the Senate to-
day by Senator Calder, of New York.
This terrible condition, which is
vouched for by the signatures of thirty
men in the navy who went through this
experience, said Senator Calder,
should be given attention by our
Naval Committee. The charges should
be investigated fully, and, if the facts
alleged should be shown to be true,
proper punishment should be heapei
on the men responsible"
There was no reply, but the round
robin was ordered referred to the
Naval Affairs Committee.
Committee to Investigate
Acting Chairman Swanson of the
committee hurried around to Senator
Calder and read the round robin. He
made no comment on the floor of the
Senate, but when questioned after
ward by newspaper men, said his COM
mittee would make an investigation.
"The trouble is," he explained, that
the Navy Department has not the land
on which to put the sailors. We need
land near Norfolk. think its acquisi-
ton would solve this problem
Both Virginia Senators, Mr.. Swanson
and his colleague, Chairman Martin, of
the Appropriation Committee, have
been trying for years to get the gov
ernment TO purchase the jamestown
Exposition site on Hampton Roads.
Text of the Round Robin
The text of the round robin read by
Senator Calder is as follows:
SANITARY conditions on board U. 5. 5.
Solace May IS to q, 1917.
"f. When we were sent from our
ships. lying at different points in the
feet base. we were compelled to carry
our own baggage, with fevers ranging
/ from 100 to 103.
"2. Drinking water very scarce. had
three glasses while on board &C.. X. E.,
and some men had only one glass
sniece. | might add that there was no
iced water and the water was very
warm.
az. The dishes used by men sick with
measles were washed in lavatory, where
vessels were standing around with
germs of scarlet fever and mumps'
which said germs were thrown in same
receptacle used by men with measles;
the dishes. forks and knives were wiped
with toilet paper.
90. All food was served to men on
one large platter. the motto of which
was Help yourself or 60 without
as. Men who were very sick were
compelled to sleep on the deck with
blankets (two). Many of these men had
high fevers.
Blankets Disease-Ridden
"s. Blankets used by men with
measles, mumps and scarlet fever were
niled up in one stack, and at night they
we're issued TO the first ones who came
for them. These blankets were not
sterilized, and there were many risks
taken BY the men OF transferring
disease to one another.
~ Sick men unable to wash them
selves went without for length OF trip
on L. s. S. Solace TO the hospital at
"Signed by men who experienced
these conditions on U. S. S. Solace.'
Secretary Daniels declined TO com
ment upon the round robin tonight, eX-
cent 10 say that the charges had been
referred to the surgeon general OF the
navy for investigation.
Surgeon General Brsisted of the
Navy referred the complaint TO Rear
Admiral Mayo. commander OF the At
iantic Aeet, for investigation and re
mort. General Braisted said tonight
tbat the Solace may have been crowded
with patients for few hours on some
recent trip, but that no unsanitary
condition or careless washing OF uten-
sils was ever permitted on the hospi-
tai ship.