Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-13
HITCHCOCK
At CAMP HANCOCK

Distinguished V1SllOf UeVidIeS |
That Investigation of Senate
Military Committee Had
Wrought a Wonderful Ref0r-
nation in the War Depart
anent-PraiSeS Efficiency of
28th Division
The United States is now rapidly APP
Preaching a war footing; the first shock
I'd the republic of being converted from
VA nation at peace to a nation at war WIN
he most efficient lighting machine IN
u history has passed and the country
b fast becoming adjusted to war con
Ztions. The American, under discip- !
Vac. is the most formidable opponent
Cling today and with the hundreds OF
~ ousands of American soldiers now un- !
:, arms in training camps in this coun-
II \, in addition to those already with
%o)neral Pershing's expeditionary forces
- German dream of world conquest Isl
#S1omed to disappointment. -
@A'n substance. the foregoing are some OF
& lie declarations of Hon. &. M. Hitch
-ock, U. S. senator from Nebrasks. VINO
9 as been in Augusta during the past
a Yeek for rest and recreation, having
topped over on his return from FLORIDA
0 Washington
n Senator Hitchcock discussed the war
#yith a Herald reporter Saturday after
moon at the Bon Air Hotel. 1t VIII ne
RECALLED that Senator Hitchcock Is q
member of the senate military commit
Atee and was one of the leaders Of the
war department investigation, during
which inefficiency on the part of Seer
lretary Baker was charged
Executive ineffIciency.
TSha SENATOR WAS asked il, after WIZ
essing the review OF the 2th DlvlsloI
aturday and the exhibition In payonet
ractice on Fridsy, he had CHANGED ms rs
,hich men in training camps are being,
|Arepared for intensive fighting.
Sd You evidently misunderstood the ma
|sure of the military committee er ~
Aism of the war department" replied TIE
lsssnator. I'VE never doubted the eff
2 ency OF the material at hand-the man
it was the lack of display
WI executive ability on the part or thel
SSar department. Complaints poured int
ssne military committee about the lack OF
e%othing and equipment for the men, and,
RI Realizing the unfortunate psychoiogicaN
Effect of such a condition upon the civil
Van public the committee began assem-
@iing it's data and ascertained that while!
SINE of the complaints were not 1ustl-I
Esed, many others were"
WI Senator Hitchcock then mentioned al
sssslfnber of instances to sustain his posi-
dSon that there had been lack of efficiency
aaSl the war department., StAIlHg fnat thti
{ acretary of war had not been in close
Nnough touch with the siuatiton, but had,
expended upon those under him for his
nformaton, with the result that hei
>arned only of the favorable side of the
rogress of the war preparations.
Results of investigation.
- The senator declared that the Sen3tel
lvestigetion had brought about won /
ee}erful reformation in the war department
t md while he would not say that tn !
rthanges which have followed the invest
Grafton absolutely satisfied the advocates
riu- the war cabinet measure he STATE.
IS TT many of the results contemplated
Of the war cabinet measure and the dill
led ctor of munitions are now being att
larlned since the senate committees in,
8, sstigation. His point was that the IN
v estigaton had completely aroused thu
lisrar department to point of alertnes' |
e, nd that greater efficiency is being at
ldained thereby.
iui Senator Hitchcock spoke In glowing
igerns of the 28th Division-the general
pkealthy appearance of the men, and their
knowledge OF the mlltary game
Techey bear every evidence Of having been
vefficiently trained, he declared, addlnFl
lmlat since Witnessing the review Satur-
IN ay morning and the bayoHet practice
and why the 2Sth is looked upon as the
n fize division of the country. The sena'
Wr also praised the camp itself, saying
seNat the premises appeared to be per-
1
to which they are being put.
nm Duration OF tho War.
8 '"Well, how long do you suppose Ia
Sar will last?' he was asked.
zone mans guess is about as good q
nother's," he replied. THE duration q
iehe war depends altogether upon man!
We have hoped that thA
g economic situation in Germany would
.ause a collapse, and there is 10 doubt
/. tut that there is some ground for that
oaope but so little news Of a reliable ma,
tGure is permitted to get out of Germany
athat on this side we are almost ignorant
cas- to what is really going on in the
kempire. But the stagnation of Germany
commerce and the prodiguous war debt
n that has been rolled up are certainly
scausing widespread unrest. Whether il
lewill ever reach the Jn'int of causing a
-tcollapse of the gcN ernHncnt though, rex
bnnains to be seen"
! new draftee had arrived. What