Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-29
Sec. Baker Says. Ships
Are Biggest Problem

(Con.inued from Page one)
spector general, nine cases being inyes-
tigated. He told Of Investigations which
resulted in discharge Of Lieut.. Charles
w. Cole and Lieut.. John D. Dye for
neglect Of patients, as published in the
newspapers Saturday and Sunday. The
Judge advocate general advised adding
sentence to the dismissal and that is
being considered.
1.-THE department sets its face against
that sort Of callous disregard Of SOL
diers' health" Secretary Baker said.
Il want the doctors and the country
to know that their lives and welfare
are a responsibility which l will not
Unit to be lodged or handled in u
cavalier fashion
Daily Camp Inspections
While camp commanders We're held
responsible for health conditions, he
said, the surgeon generals office had
daily Inspections, and he had appointed
DR.. John A. Hornsby. hospital expert,
as his personal inspector.
\ telegram from DR.. Hornsby re-
2arding camp conditions which Sem
ator Chamberlain assailed disclosed
them greatly improved" with mortal
ity reduced and ample accoinmoca
tons for all sick
Secretary Baker read a letter from
Mrs. Mary Roberts Rhinehart. the
writer. who has a son in the service.
commanding hospital conditions she
recently inspected. Mrs. Rhinehart
said she was impressed by Senator
Chamberlain's tragic letters"
But feel the mothers Of the
country should know" wrote Mrs.
Ehinehart. that the number of such
cases is small. 1t is cruel to allow
every mother to judge the medical
corps because here and there men are
unwilling or unable to give the care
that is their duty
There are conditions to be rene
died. The shortage of women nurses
is serious. But of cruelty and indif-
terence l have found nothing. Ninety
nine out of hundred boys are receiv-
ing better care than they could af-
ford at home"
And ] wish to point out further
y
heads Of the medical profession. the
masters OF the profession, are in con-
slant touch with the surgeon general"
NO army could be raised in any
country, the secretary commended with
out danger from communicable dis
eases All that could be done was TO
provide every means of science to meet
That danger That, ne insisted, was
being done.
Enfield Rifle Decision
Taking UP Senator Chamberlain's at
tack on the ordnance bureau, Mr.. Ba-
ker said that mems minds differed
about the types of guns TO be used
and about the quantity. He then dis
closed that the decision to adopt the
so-called re-chambered Enfield rife
was reached late one night in his Of
flee at n conference attended by Gen.
"ral Pershing, who was preparing to
go TO France; General Scott. chief Of
staff; General Bliss. assistant chief;
General croZier, chief of ordnance, and
General Kuhn. then head of the war
colleg" and several other staff Off -
Gers. experts in rifles" 1t was in
May or early in June
The American Springfield rife. Sec
rotary Baker said, was admittedly the
best military rifle developed by any
country, when this decision was reach
ed. There were in stock about 600
900 OF them
II was not then knOwn. Secretary "a
ker continued, whether American troops
10
French The British used a rim cartridge
'ine OF one ca!ihre and the French a rim
cartridge gun Of another calibre The
british government had been prepared to
re-arm the entire British army with the
tnhe!d when the war broke out in 1914
The excellence of the American weapon
was SO we'll known that the British de-
'ided TO remodel their guns but the sud;
"enness OF the war prevented them max
ing the change
That decision made that night Mr.
Baker added. had the uaanimo,,s con.
rent OF every man at the conference
After America entered the war. Mr.
Baker said, Major General Wood came tn
MS once ana advocated the necessity Of
'aiing out large army Secretary Ba-
ker said there were not the clothes or
arms. but General Wood replied he know
mat put commended the men needed to
i've together for preliminary training
ue told General Wood that he agreed th,.
the army should he assembled a. ran
fuly as possible but it was the ipten.to,
TO build up the regular army and tho
National Guard first and then the No.
tional Army.
CALLING Mary Men Early
Concluding his statement regarding th.
decision to call many men early. Score
tary Baker said:
Il was deemed wise to put men INFO
camp 10 learn camp living and essentials
a. soldier's life a little IN advance no
fors they could be fully supplied ..:;b
arms
Regarding Senator Cnamberla.n.s s.a-.-
melt that rifles originally sent 70 ram,
were motley collection" Secretary RI.
ker said he did not object to the term
but that the facts were that we had
about $1,000 Springfield rifles and some
thing over 10000 kraSs.
The German army. best prepared in IN.
world. he added. furnishes an obsolete
rifle for practice until men learn to take
care OF better weapon
Il do no, mean to say. he added .tha,
The question was decided infailibly. Rut
s.o mean t. say that ii was decided CON-
cautiously. that now every man in this
. ouatr, intended to carry a rife b,a o,o