New-York tribune., 1918-01-26
Surgeon General Tells SEN
ate Hurried Mobilization
Overcrowded Men
Agrees Rush Was
Necessity, However
Emphasis Laid ON Need of
Observation Camp for
All Recruits

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-From Sur
geon General Gorgas the Senate Mill
tary Committee to-day sought light
upon health and sanitary conditions in
the army, resuming its investigation
suspended a few days ago to present
the reorganization legislation about
which centres the committees con-
troversy with the Administration.
General Gorgas reiterated state
ments, made in his official reports to
the department after a tour OF inspec-
ton, that the crowding of men into
environments and camps not ready to
receive them was largely responsible
for the epidemcs of disease which have
ragged at some of the posts. He agreed
with other officers who had preceded
him on the stand, however, as to the
necessity for hurried training.
wouldn't it have been better to
have waited until the cantonments were
ready?" asked Senator Frelinghuysen.
"From a physical standpoint, yes"
the general replied, "but think the
training of these men should not have
been delayed"
Conditions Now Improving
Hospital construction was stopped
last summer. that barracks might be
erected faster, he explained, and no
camp hospital is complete now, though
sanitation conditions are improving, as
shown by recent mortality reports.
General Gorgas emphasized the need
for observation camps, the establish
ment of which is being considered say
ing much sickness could have been
avoided had there been such places
where men reporting at camp could
be kept fourteen days.
While he said men should be dressed
IN warm clothing, the general told the
committee he did not consider clothing
shortage as an important factor in the
pneumonia epidemic, explaining that
control or avoidance of the germ was
the principal point to be considered.
General Gorgas said he did not lack
authority and had not been interfered
with. He said he was not consulted in
the selection Of camp sites, but that,
with the exception of Camp Funston.
Kansas. all were admirably located
from sanitation standpoint. Hospital
plans are drawn by his department., he
said, but under a plan Of deccntralza-
tion he had nothing to do with select
ing the place in camp where hospitals
were TO be located.
Says Coordination Is Lacking
Senator Wadsworth suggested that
lack Of central power could be held
largely responsible for ovcrcrowding
and inadequate clothing supplies. He
said he had been informed that the War
De ri tnlcpt q aI IN NJ,
tional Guard to France before winter,
but had not cooperated with the Ship
ping Board to the extent of reauisition-
ing tonnage TO send it across
Questioned about hospital ships.
Genera Gorgas said the question had
been taken up by him seven or eight
months ago. and that he was expecting
1T had been decided that the navy
should control these ships 1t takes
from two to three months, he said. TO
reilt a trans port so that it can be used
for hospital ship.
The general described the extensive
plans being made for army hospitals
outside the camps 1t is hoped he
said, to provide 100000 beds, and cstab-
ltshed hospitals have offered the de-
partment as many as 10000 beds be
sides.
Physicians Called Ample
The $4,000 physicians in the service
he declared, are ample to take care of
the men now under arms. He said the
army had the "cream of the profes-
sion,' and when Senator Weeks sug-
gested civilian doctors might have to
help out, General Gorgas replied: ''The
shoe is on the other foot, as army doc
tors might be called upon to do the
work of civilians"
Of the new Psychological Board,
which is studying qualifications Of Of
ilcers and men. the general said he
had little confidence in the system
when first understaken, but now re-
garded 1T really efficient asset to
the department.