Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-25

telling the truth. Tho only fear / have
Is that this discussion may have bad
encct on tho country. But IL the con-
ditionS exist they ought TO be cor
rcctcd and quickly. Great Britain
found the same conditions and cor
rectcd them quickly. So did France"
EXHIBITS PHOTOGRAPHS
OF WOODEN "ORDNASCE;"
Senator Chamberlain passed around
among Senators photographs OF wooden
machine guns. t'fcs and heavy ord
nance used al cantonmcnts and asked
Senators to study them carefully.
They arc OF some use" he explained.
'in training men. But II had a boy
training for the battle field I wouldn't
want him to have his training with
nothing else than wooden cannon"
England and France. hc said. saw
tic mistake OF haNin: army men con-
troll the ordnance department
You mus; go TO mon who have done
thes. things to get results he added
And Congress should faco this with.
out fear Of any man. but with due
regard for tho distinguished COM
mandcr in chief"
Tho commander at Camp sherman.
Ohio. told Him there was a shortage
OF 1000 ovcrcoats there. lie referred
that statement to Secretary Baker
I'm his usual placid way he said.
That's not true. remarked the Scna-
tor.
Senator Chamberlain then read from
letter from Secretary Baker, saying
Il later report showed 200 oycrcoa Is
were needed at Camp sherman. hut that
they Hcrc In course OF Shipment.
That's tho way ever since tho war
started, in course hut not getting
there" he shouted.
NATIONAL SHORTAGES
SHOWN ~ CHARTS
Then placing IN tho record a cha ri
submitted TO the Military Committee
by Secretary Baker, showing shortages
of material al all camps varying from
to 90 per cent. MIR. cha rrbcrlain de-
c'ared he wished that condition to be-
come known to tho people. II want
it shown whether | distorted the truth
when said the military system had
broken down." said he.
Heading from the table TO show short
ages OF oVcrcoatS running as high as
% per cent. the Senator reminded the
winter"
II am Going 10 show that these hun
dreds and thousands OF men dying in
tho cantonmen;s arc due to tho War
Department" he declared
This information comes right from
the men who are on the ground They
know what they are talking about.
w
of the situation that confronts me and
Involves my integrity, ] feel it is my
duty TO the country.
Il am going TO call attention TO the
statement OF SUPERINTENDENT Gorgas
that nearly all cpidemics could have
been prevented IL the War Department:
had been effective"
Senator Chamberlain referred TO the
warnings given by MaJor-General
Greble. commander at Camp Bowie
Texas. last summer. against overcrowd-
ing OF men in tents. Men at Camp
Rowie. the Senator declared. we're
packed together like sardncs," and.
epidemics broke out in December. with
5000 men passing through the hos
pitfalls.
LACK OF PROPER NURSING
CAUSES DEATHS or MEN
Men died" he asserted, without
proper nursing because OF ineniciencics
OF the system. ! challenge YOU to read
tho record. Don't take my word for il
All the environments are arteries OF in
formation and hope TO God that every
young man will write his father or
mother and tell them Just what the
conditions arc. no, to stay patriotism.
but To stimulate those in authority 10
do their duty
General Gorsass report. he contln-
ued. showed ovcrcrowding in virtually
every camp.
senator Chamberlain said if Surgeon
General GorSas's recommendations for
greater space for each man had been
observed. disease at least would have
been reduced. The Senator read \ let:
ter showing that camp authorities
failed TO notify family of the death
OF soldier, and that the body came
home wrapped only in "a sheet.
SENATE AND GALLERIES
SHOCKED ny LETTER
III were 70 prin, all the letters
get along this line" he continued.
they would shock not only Congress
but tho American conscience"
Senators and galleries were moved TO
expressions Of emotion as Senator
Chamberlain read Il letter 10 Senator
Wadsworth.
Tho writer. whose name was no,
given. said he was notified through
iiienos that his son was i'll six DAYS
aiteT no had been taken to the camp
hospital lie was first pcrnItted 70
sec his hoy through a window, and the
trst sight appalled, him. Tho room, and
ned were filthy. he wrote. and the ia
tent had not been bathcd for cirh,
days. His requests for nurse or 10
permit himself to aid his son were re
fused the writer stated. but finally he
WAS told ne might provide clean
ciothes. when he returned. his sons
face and hands had been washed hui
still were dirty.
Tho next day he returned erai, n.
the attendant was trying 10 give the
patient water from bowl. When the
father interviewed. the attendant said:
i guess l better get n funnel" and
actually returned with paper funnel.
The athcr stopped that and suggested
II spoon. Fifteen minutes later tho boy
died. ~ headquarters of the caInp he
was told that he might have his sons
hody that night. Having provided
hiihScif with pass TO the hospital he
ana not Knock. but as he tried 10 omen
Inc 100! ii struck 4 heavy object. !,
was his sons body.
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