Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-27
Refutes Charge of Discrimination
and Of Calling Them
"Wilson's Pets.
STIRRED BYLETTERF FROM
CONGRESSMAN POLK
The Latter Sent Him Pointed
Communication Setting
Forth the Facts.
REGIMENT MAY SOON MOVE
Special Dispatch From Every Evening
Washington Correspondent.

Special Dispatch From Every Evening
Washington Correspondent
Washington. Aug % Representative
Albert +. Polk of Delaware today made
public "A letter from Secretary OF War
Baker in which the secretary disclaimcd
prejudice or discrimination against the
Fiftv-ninth Pioneer Regiment Of Della
ware. which has been at Camp DIX and
kept below its full strength since January
Recently the regiment was brought TO
full strength. and ii IS now matter OF
verv few DAYS before II Will he sent
abroad
The order to fill the regiment 20 the
necessary number of men was not gwen
until last month however and tho
dissatisfaction in Delaware was so intense
that MIR Polk wrote a letter TO the secre-
tarv on August :, bringing directly 10 hls
attention the charges made. He limited
at a congressional investigating committee
unless Mr.. Bakers answer should make
full explanation.
Secretary Bakers letter dated sixteen
days later was regarded as inconcluslvc
and cvasivc, as 1t related 10 tho delay
IN filing the regiment to war strength
But since the orders, although pitiahiy
late, have been gwen, no further action
is regarded as necessary.
MR. FOLK s PROTEST.
In his letter Mr.. Polk described the
treatment gwen the regiment since II was
taken from Camp Mcclellan on January
-. Previous to that time the regiment,
which was originally the First Regiment
of tho Delaware National Guard. was
merged with other national guard units
TO make the One Hundred and fortecnth
infantry
An agitation in Delaware which was
carried TO the War Department hy the
Senators and the Represent atIve from
Delaware, resulted IN having the unit
withdrawn. TO be kept as distinctly
State organization, 50 far as personnel
was concerned.
Difficulties and delays began al this
time, asd led Mr.. Polk, in his letter to
Secretary Baker. 10 directly charge re-
sentiment and lack OF courtesy on the part
of the War Department., which extended
even 10 tho Delaware legislators them
selves Mr. Baker made formal denial
Of this III his answer
MIR Polk gave detailed statement Of
the number of drafted men from Delaware
which might have been assigned TO tho
regiment months ago, and SO permitted its
departure for overseas. Arms and equip
GftHi. lf& SdiAls tAdO NttiA t%1htA AttAiA ttAt
regiment on January s, and no new ones
issued until April 20, thus preventing
effective progress IN its training during
that period.
He called attention to the fact that
until a recent date the officers of the regi-
ment even were prohibited from buying
uniforms from the camp quartermaster
at Dix.
II am informed by constituents of
mine that YOU have made the statement
that YOU have no interest IN the Delaware
regiment, as they were Wilson's pets, ."
Mr.. Polk continued.
This latter statement cannot believe
but if true, want to know it, and if the
above stated conditions are true, / want
TO know it. MIR Polk's letter and
Secretary Bakers answer follow:
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