Evening journal., 1918-08-27

Delaware regiment, as they are VIII
sons Pets This latter statement
cannot believe, but II true, want TO
know II. and II the above stated con-
dltions are true | want to know 10 be1
cause II such treatment has been ac-
corded the Delaware regiment by your
| department, there should be an end put
TO IL II II Is within the power Of Con
gress to do so, and / think II is.
81 am not writing this letter In any
spirit OF criticism, but with a desire
TO learn actual conditions and because
7 am being urged by those who have
! investigated the matter 10 ask for a
committee to investigate The treatment
OF the Delaware Pioneer Regiment by
your department.
III the charges ere not true. would
not want TO place myself in the posi-
tlon Of f6thering such a resolution. hut
II they arc true those responsible
should be brought TO book
"One other matter 10 which / desire
10 direct your attention. ! understand
that your department resents the ac-
ton taken by the Delaware Senators
and myself 10 re-assemble the Flrs.
Delaware Regiment. and from several
sources 10 has come to me that the war
department had It in for the Senators
and myself and not much EFFORT Is made
TO conceal such attitude. I am almost
persuaded that this Is true, because
OF the treatment which has been ac-
corded me at times by your depart
ment; but as 10 Is common comment by
members OF Congress that less court
esy Is shown members by the war de-
partment than in any other department
Of the government, naturally, l might
conclude the lack OF courtesy Is the rule
In your department and that treatment
havO received on occasions Is not the
unusual thing.
This may be the explanation OF the
hostility OF many members OF the
House Of Representatives toward your
department which has on several Occa-
slOns been shown on the floor Of the
House. This matters lite TO me per-
sonally as l seldom visit your depart
ment any more, because l feel 10 Is use
less with such a feeling In your de-
partment because Of an honest effort |
TO accomplish the desires OF those /
whom l represent, but II Il a condition |
which should not exist ss there should !
be absolute cordiallay and coordination |
between Congress and every depart |
ment Of the government
In view OF the magnificent achieve |
ment OF your department in the move /
ment OF troops, supplies, etc. over |
seas, It Is disappointing that there /
should be occasion for even the sus-
plcion OF such 'smallness' in the /
department as the statements above /
made would indicate, II true.
Il trust / may be favored with a
prompt response 10 this letter and that l
a disclaimer may be made that will be
full and convincing or an admission /
that will be full and frank.
The enclosed clipping from the VIII
mington. Delaware, Every Evening
shows that the public is taking notice
OF the attitude Of the war department |
toward the Fifty-ninth Delaware Pio-
neer Regiment.
Very sincerely.
ALBERT P. POLK.
Bakers Reply.
War Department Washington Aug
ust %, 1918.
"My Dear Mr.. Polk: have the hon
or TO acknowledge receipt OF your let
ter Of August Z, relative to the 59th
Pioneer Infantry Regiment which is
composed largely Of men belonging TO
the First Delaware. and in reply there
TO l beg to inform you that the fol-
lowing are the facts in the case:
when the 29th Division was being
formed the First Delaware was merged |
with other National Guard Regiments
to form the Hath Infantry. In view OF
the fact that this left the state OF
Delaware without an Identified unit OF
Delaware troops, and for
historical and traditional reasons this
was regarded as unfortunate by the
people Of Delaware and by the members
OF the old First Delaware Regiment.
and for the further reason that the leg
lslatiOn providing for the increase in
the military establishment directed the
war department, as far as possible. TO
preserve the identity OF historical units.
ihe President directed that all OF the
former members Of the First Delaware
be Withdrawn from the ii4th Infantry
and sent TO Camp Dix, New Jersey. TO
form Pioneer Infantry Regiment. This
was done. the regiment being given the
number %. II was realized at the time ,
That this action would necessarily de-
lay the opportunity for the Delaware
men TO 90 abroad because their Pioneer
Regiment would have 20 be fllled up TO
war strength and would take its place
In a different part OF the military pro- !
gram. On July -. 1918. the command {
ing general at Camp Dix was directed
10 nj the 59th Pioneer Regiment This !
has now been done and the regiment is
It full strength.
with regard 20 the question of on
'ers not being allowed 30 purchase uni
'Orms from the camp quartermaster, /
I'm informed that this was a temporary