Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-29

ditions intervuptipg training and 9th
er desirable and nom desirable consid-
erations.
Praising Gen Woods experience and
qualifications to select sites, Secretary
Baker referred to the fact that the
general had been a medical officer and
also Originated the training camp
idea, carrying it to a demonstrated
success at Plattsburg." Gen. Wood.
he added, was recognized by com
mon consent in the army as the most
capable to select camp sights and in
augurate training camp system.
In every instance, Mr.. Baker sale.
the boards. including medical officers.
had recommended the selected site and
the surgeon general had been noti-
fed when the final selection was made.
In only one case-Camp Zachary Tay-
| lor, at Louisville-was there 1t ques-
| ton. and Surgeon Gen. Gorgas sent an
expert sanitarian. who approved 1t.
Il am not raising any question with
the surgeon general" Mr. Baker said,
after pointing out that 1t had been
suggested that the sites had not been
referred to that Office. But 1 want
it perfectly understood that his de-
partment was consulted and Its advice
followed"
Sickness at Camps
The fact is Mr. Baker said. that
most Of our sickness contrary To *
| pectations has occurred at the camps
IN contra -distinctio!i to cant1"nients'
on basis O. eight men to each ;"nt
there was ten age enough IN Sept 20
az Camp Bowie to hou+a :G.c9S mon, the
secretary told the committee. AT that
time, however. there We're UnlT 1900
/ men there. Testimony previously pre-
sc nted to the COMMITTEES had tended ,u
show there was great OVercroWdin-
there and much sickness as a result.
What exactly happened" Mr.. Baker
/ said. was that We gathered men in
uniforms who had come from spe rse. \
settled parts of the country ana the y
we're not accustomed TO community liy-
ing They were attacked With measles
| o. which one of the ordinary results Is
/ pneumonia.
| The secretary ADMITTED that illness
at that camp was perhaps caused by
! too many men being housed in one tent
/
Additional Tentage Ordered
! Our expectation was that the men
in the tents would be safe, but as soon
as it was discovered that the boys were
circumventing automatic ventilation
by closing down the flaps of the tents,
additional tentage was ordered"
Isn't it likely the men would not
have done this had they had adequate
clothing?" asked Senator Hitchcock.
Il think that is entirely possible, n
was the reply
! Senator Weeks asked if the pncr-
monia epidemic did not result from,
, inadequate hospital facilities.
Il don't think So" said the secretary.
Secretary Baker said it was not
| thought at first that base hospitals OF
q permanent character would be need
ed at National Guard camps, from
which troops would be promptly re-
moved. Later. he said. it developed
that more permanent hospitals must
be established. General Gorgas, he
said, had not recommended permanent
sewerage and water systems for the
National Guard camps for that reason.
at first; but when he did recommend
! them the orders We're immediately Civ
en-.
The fact is Mr. Baker said I'VE
We're overtaken by epidemics before the
nase hospitals We're ready at some Ma :
tional Guard camps. When Gen. Cor
gas made his inspections the condi !
tlons We're remedied instantly.
| After General Gorgas returned
about the middle of December, from
MS inspection, he suggested for the
flrst time the wisdom of building de-
tention camps for observation of meI,
arriving, to prevent them from bring
| ing disease. His recommends to thar
END We're not made earlier"
| Secretary Baker said ne would nrn-
| ceed with a larger subject-the plans
Tor the War-hut Senator Reed asked
MIN 10 explain recent orders prohibit :
ing soldiers from writing letters TO,
publication unless they are censored
! lie asked if that would prevent men
from telling their families of lack of
clothing or improper food.
Absolutely no." said the secretary
/ explaining that ii was done to IRE
vent soldiers from acting as regular
correspondents for newspapers with
out censorship. but that men were on
couraged to write for publication in
'helr nome papers after censorship.
Army Of 100000 Men
! AS the climax of a DAYS explauat;o,
! OF all that the military establishment
had done. the secretary of war discIos-
| eo what hitherto has been guarded as
! Il military secret and what the Gernan
! people little suspected.
Secretary Baker told the senators
! that the United States would have q
! half million fighting men on French
soil early this year and that one aud
one half million more ready to go would
be available this year
This great lighting force. probal,l,'
. little expected by the German general
STAFF itself will he composed of the mrn
! now with Gen. PershIng, the 80 divs-
ions of troops now in cantonments and
camps in the United States and read
to move. Secretary Baker said, and ~
the next increments to be drawn and
trained this spring under the seiectiVe
service law
Tells Of Army Preparations
The secretary of war went even fur
/ Their ara laid the facts regarding prep
aIations for the American army N