Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1917-12-29
HUNDREDS DIE
FROhLACK Of
CLOTHING
SPACE; CLAIM
Generals Wright and Greble
Tell of Health Conditions
at Camps Doniphan a n d
Bowie. Also of Europe.
CBy Review Leased wirel

(By Review Leased Wirel
WASHINGTON. Dec. 2S,-DiSease
epidemic and clOthins and equipment
shortages at Camp Bowie, Texas, and
Camp DOniphan. Oklahoma, were de-
sCribed 20 the senate military cOul-
rsittee by the respective commanders
OF those national guard cantOnments
Major Generals Grsble and Wright.
Both officers said the epidemics al
their posts now were under control
and that adequate supplies OF over
coats had been received. bu, they
save dismal pictures of earlier cOndi-
tions. They told. too. OF enormous
shortages OF rifles. machine guns and
other equipment siill existing. Food
has been plentiful. they said. and OF
good quality.
Camp Bowie Worst.
General Greble's story showed con,
ditioRs at Camp Bowie to have been
the worse. He declared the lives OF
many men who recently died there
would have been saved had winter
clothing. sufficient tents TO avoid
ove-crOw6ing. and proper hospital
facilities and sanitation been prOvid-
ed. He told how the war department
ordered twelve men housed in each
tent where, he said. they were SO
thick YOU couldn't walk between
them During November. General
Greble said. 5000 men OF about one
third of his command. passed through
the hospital. with deaths from pneU-
monis. measles and other diseases.
averasing sixteen daily. At one time
$500 men, he stated. were crowded
into a hospital built 10 accommodate
500 and that without a sewage sys-
TEN.
In September. the general said he
protested against crOwGing twelve
men into a tent. and gave warnins
that sickness would result. Before
more tents arrived the epidemic broke
out. Now. however. he added. there
are only 500 men or the sick list.
Baker Reports.
DCrinS the hearing the committee
also received from Secretary Baker a
letter IN reply 10 its resolution re
ques ing immediate action to relieve
clothing shortages il the canton
msnts, stating the Necessary steps
had been taken and that he would re-
port fully as soon as all camps were
heard from.
Zach of the camps investigated to-
day has about $4,000 men. with Mis-
souri, and Kansas national guardsmen
largely composing the personnel at
Camp Doaiphan. and Texas and Okla
hCma suardSmen that AZ Camp Bowie
Health conditions at both were re
Gently reported by Surgeon General
GOrgas. who General Greble said to
day had made a correct report OF con
Giticns at the Texas cantonment.
The two camp commanders were
before the committee all day. testify
ing behind closed doors regarding
forces, whom they recently inspected.
They said General Pershing is short
OF no supplies except motor trucks.
At Camp Doniphsn.
Although all the men at Camp Don
iphan now are well clothed. General
Wright said his command Stin was
short for overseas service. However
he felt confident he would get suf-
ficient clothing upon starting for ENi-
rope.
Most OF the men at the camp are
under canvas. the witness said. but
the tents are well flOOred and are
heated too well" General Wright
said the death rate was low. averaS-
ing only one a day. while the sick
rate was not large considering that
many cases OF measles were brought
10 camp by drsst men from Camp
Funston.
Senator Hitchcock said all congress
men had received letters from par
entS OF soldiers. protesting very bit.
terly" against alleged poor treatment
OF the sick in hospitals. General
Wright answered all officers were
keen" to give the best possible care
10 the sick.
General Wright said his troops had
not used brOcmsticks OF wooden
rifles. He did not agree with Gen
eral Crozier's view that men could
be trained sufficiently with only half
having rifles and taking turns in their
use. Training with Lewis machine
suns. even II the new Browning guns
are later used in actual fishung. the
officer said. would be valuable in
teaching men the handling Of the arms
and general type Of mechanism. He
disclaimed any knowledge OF the com
parative merits OF the two guns. but
said he intended 20 teach his men to
shoot.
II his command was fully equipped.
General Wright said. its training
could be completed in two OF three
months.