davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25

Democrat, asked who was responsible
for the use Of shoddy in the army cloth.
ing. Mr.. Chamberlain replied that il
was Mr.. Eiscnman, chairman of the
supplies committee, advising the Coun-
Gil of Defence.
"What WIS the excuse? 2" asked the
Mississippi Senator.
"Conseryation Of WOOL" Senator
Chamberlain replied.
"1'd rather have conservation OF
life"
Turning to the Presidents structure
upon him, Senator Chamberlain read
that part assailing Congressional in.
vcstigations.
"With all due respect to the Presi-
dent, who has served notice on Con
gress that there must be no rneddlns
and must be no Investigating unless il
meets the smile ofEXccutvc favor" said
he, III differ from that view. We arc
81 coordinate part of the government
Whom / become a rubber stamp in my
Gutics III get out Of the Senate and
public life and let somebody subser-
Went take my place"
Senator James, Democrat, inter
rupted to explain that the President
had referred to the war cabinet bill. in
complaining that Legislation was being
introduced in Congress without his
consent. Senator Chamberlain said he
was of the impression that the Presi-
dent referred to the munition director
bill, but he hoped he was mistaken.
Senator James said he had letter
from President Wilson saying that SEN
ator Chamberlain had been to sec him
regarding q bill for minister of mu-
nitions, but gave no details, and that
he had learned from others Of the "sur-
prising pro o,osal" for a war cabinet.
"Thc Presidents statement that be
was not consulted concerning the war
cabinet proposal is true" said Senator
James.
Senator Chamberlain then stated that
last Friday .he Military Affnirs Com
mittec had delegated Senator Hitchcock
to lay the war cabinet plan before Sec
rotary Baker, and he believed that had
been done.
"But probably the Cabinet had not
met up to the time the President made
the statement," persisted Senator
James. "llc is absolutely right in his
statement."
Turning to the Presidents criticism
that the Oregon Senator appeared to be
against the entire Administration pol
icy, Senator Chamberlain stepped far
up the centre aisle, raised his hands
and smiling, said:
"Et tu Brute-the most unkindest
cut of all i"
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
One to 100 Per Cent
Shortages Revealed

Il will not read the whole list of
these shortages, but the Senators may
take each item, and it will be found
that these camps are short all the way,
as ! say. from l per cent to 100 per
cent. This information comes from
the men on the ground. They know
what they are talking about; they do
not have to make their estimates on a
per capita basis, as to which l tried to
while ago. They make their estimates
on the ground, just as General Glenn
did when | asked him what the condi-
tions WERE
"Mr President, right in this connec-
tlon--this is as good Il place to do il
rs any. though | did not intend to do
this, but it will not do any harm, I
thought it might possibly not be neces
sary-but in view of the situation that
confronts me, with my integrity called
IN question, feel it my duty to the
country to let them know, and I am
going to call attention to the reports
or General Gorgas himself, to show
mat nearly all of these deaths and
these epidemics could have been avoid
ed IT the War Department had been ef-
ticient and effective.
In addition to the testimony of Gem
eral Gorgas, We have the testimony of
men on the ground. We had General
Greble come up here. He is a splendid
Old fellow ought not to say old fol-
low for he is younger than am. and
ne IS still in service. He is a splendid
man fine and a fearless soldier,
whenever you get a soldier who has
not any other ambition than the ambi-
tion to serve his country, YOU will in
varlably get the truth. 1t is not AS
with one Of these swivel-chair artist
fellows who wants to so higher, and
from whom you cannot ascertain what
the truth is
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
ShotUs a Conflict
In Death Figures

secretary Baker says in his printed
statement: The deaths in our force
IN the United States from Sentemb.r
TO the end OF December. rs per thou-
sand year. are slightly less than has
oeen the death rate OF the mon Of
the same age at home.
well, maybe that is true. hut Com.
cral Gorgas says that among all the
troops there has been a death rate of
81, covering little longer time. It
IS probable that Secretary Bakers
statement is correct for the time he
gives. WIN '''''0 ''o
but that is not ALL With that dis
.sngulshed man at the head of the med
lcal service OF the army and an able
eolps OF assistants here, he was not
OF the cantonment sites.
Ine man at the head of the medical
department here in Washington. WITH y
reputation IN his line second to none
among the professional men in the
world, not even consulted with refer-
ence to the selection Of these sitesi
IT may be said that with the officer
or the line who selected these camn
s, niees mere was young doctor who
10y 0iouHu "lth MN. Whether he
vas from the medical corps, or whcthar
ne was some post or contract surreon
does does not make any difference to o,' ,no
Con, =" nas | am getting at is that Surgeon
0e"eral n. 1orgas was not consulted.
y, orniu M,iu IN an TINS time he has insisted.
morning, noon and night, in season onJ M
ouC or season, that in order ~ eofa a."
guard the health Of these vouno 'ate,
mere must be at least fifty souare +.en fnat
OF 1loor space to the man. and vat otey
venture to state. Mr. President tbora fIo
IS, IS not single contonmcnt in ''''ae the
uhllea States that has been built r,;.h ;.e
vonnc (na, 'oea lea IN view of protecting the
mo but It I, may be said that these vouno
WHAT VIZ naa wss TO- to be called out quickIvs.
until s the 'ne rant use of calling them out
&c cantonments were readvo
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Appalled, by Sight
OF His Dying Son

81 notice in reading the proceedings
Of the British Parliament not long ago
and I think he was ight-Lloyd
George said: You need not be afraid
about giving Germany any information.
Germany knows more about America
to- day than men connected with the de-
partment; and SO far as am concerned,
my colleagues, I feel that America
would be better off if she would come
out in the spot light and let the plain
people of this land know what she is
doing, and then you could rely upon
them to rally to the support of the
President and for the successful prose-
cutlon OF this war. There is not any
question about that.
Take Camp Wheeler. Georgia. and
am going to call attention to some
OF the things in connection with these
shortages, Mr.. President, unpleasant
though it may be. and am going to
undertake to show the Senate and to
the country as to the hundreds and
thousands or young men who are dying
IN ALI of these encampments; that it
IS due to the inefficicncy Of the War
department itself; that is. that is my
conclusion from the testimony.
II am not an expert; l do not know;
but | charge that conclude from the
testimony that that inetticiency is re-
sponsiblc for it. 1 am not going to
make that statement on my own au-
thority; | am going to read into the
record the reports Of the surgeon gem
eral. am not making these state
ments, Mr.. President without having
sat with the committee, and never
missing single minute, except half
an hour one afternoon, when I was
called to department. I know what
every witness stated. If I had time to
80 into details I could open the eyes
even OF the Senate.
Take Camp Doniphan, in Oklahoma,
where there was a o5 per cent shortage
OF Woollen coat AT Camp Wheeler
the shortage was 80 per cent Of woollen
coats.
"Now We will takc--well there will
not be any difference on this; but I
shall have done my duty whether we
win or not. I call attention to this
condition. Take Camp Wheeler which
had shortage OF woollen coats Of 80
per cent; Camp Macarthur. which had
a shortage of 2I per cent; Camp Logan,
Texas. which had shortage OF 80 per
cent; Camp Cody, New Mexico, so per
cent; Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, SO
per cent; Camp Bowie. Texas, 40 per
cent; Camp Sheridan. Alabama, 50 per
cent. and SO on down the list | think
the highest shortage in woollen coats
was rs per cent. The shortage a Camp
Custer was IS per <<nt
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Many Appeals Made
BY General Creble

Genera Greble came up here. lie
Is one OF the men VIC took away from
his post. General Grcble is stationed
at Camp Bowie. want to read his
testimony, because he. shows the short.
age Of rythine.
In September last General Grcblc
began to reach out to try to get the
.nlngs that were necessary to protect
.hem from disease; to try to have
those things done that would save them
IT disease came. He did not appeal to
one man only; he did not appeal onIv
through the regular channels, but he
appea ed through all channels. Thcv
mad this body of splendid young men
IN pyramidal tents. twelve in tent
hacked together like sardnes, when
they ought not to have had at any time
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
more than five or six or at the outside
not Ovpr nitrht

more than five or six or at the outside
not over eight.
General Greblc tclegraphcd to the
Quartermaster General and stated: IF
you do not give US more space for
these soldiers we shall have measles
which soldiers take He also appealed
TO General Gorgas, and kept on appeal
ing Then he WAS sent to Europe on a
mission. When hc came back ne found
the same conditions practically exist
ing.
mot until some time in December
did he get that for which he asked.
Then the epidemic had broken out. As
many as eight thousand young men
went through the base hospitals and
hospitals down there at Camp Bowie
Think Of that
$50 here was an old officer, who
was accustomed to handle soldiers and
VINO knew what was going to happen,
as any sensible man knew what would
happen.
me surgeon general has always ad-
vIsed the War Department that there
ought to be fifty square feet of floor
space TO every man. and in those little
tents they had placed twelve men.
with until the worst had happened.
until 5000 men had passed through the
hospitals and many of them had died;
and absolutely, my friends, had died
without proper nursing because of the
lnoiilcicncies of the same system.
Il challenge my friends to read this
testimony. DO not take my word for
1t. You may single out few wit
nesses who testify in opposition to
what | am now stating, but when YOU
get down to the men who know from
actual contact and experience YOU ret
the ruth as 1T appears on the ground.
III there is one man in America who
knows what he is talking about when
he talks about disease and epidsmics
and knows how to handle them. it is
General Gorgas. He has not onlv
achieved national reputation, but he
mas achieved worldwide reputation
Ior his splendid work at Panama. and
he has made that formerly pestilential
region the garden spot of the CONT
nent III which to live because Of the
efforts Of himself and of his subordi-
mates. W.
Il am going to ask that all this be
printed in the record. All of these
cantonments are radiatng spots from
Whlch there goes out to the American
people Z, everything that is taking place;
ana God grant that every young man
"ill write to his mother and his father
ana tell OF the conditions, not in order
10 stay the patriotism of America but
70 STIMULATE those in authority 70 do
lhelr duty to protect their lives If thev
are 10 night the battles Of the countrv
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
France Furnishes
America With Guns

"Francc, bled white" he continued,
us furnishing America to-day and the
troops going abroad with heavy ord
nance, machine guns and airplanes. If
we relied on the ordnance department
in this emergency (and this is war
of artillery, the war would be COM
pleted before we ever got enough to
the front. France agreed to deliver
this artillery. To win America? Did
she furnish it in order to invite
America ?"
1t was improper, he said to give de-
tails of American purchases of ord
nance from the Allies, but referred
Senators to the confidential testimony
before the committee by Major Cen
eral Crozier, chief Of ordnance
II the Administration had wanted
to be fair to the American people," he
shouted. "why didn't the distinguished d
Secretary of War, and have the high
est regard for him. let the people
know, so that the people could assist
IN getting ready for this terrible ca
lamlty that confronts not only Amer
ica but the whole world?"
Senator Chamberlain charged that
the ordnance bureau had failed in 1916
to prepare for war when it seemed
certain.
"There were omens in the sky" he
continued, "that America could not
keep out. What was the ordnance de-
partment doing? Nothing. 1t was
lying supinely on its back, not making
gauges for manufacturing ordnance
nor discovering the possibilities of
manufacturing but doing nothing, ab-
solutely nothing"
Appropriations for jgs and dies to
make ordnance. he said, had not been
used.
I'm not blaming anybody in partic-
ular," the Senator continued. 81 have
high regard for General Crozier. But
we haven't been able to do what Eng
land France and all our other allies
have done, and that is to retire those
gentlemen who have not proven them
selves up to the mark. We ought not
to dismiss them in disgrace but in
other countries they have gone into
innocuous desuetudc.
This isn't question Of personali-
ties. This is not question between
the President and myself It's ques-
ton of America. and every man ought
TO make 1t his whole purpose to see
that America is saved.
"Takc tho machine gun" said the
Senator. '"Tt's an old controversy and
much may be said on both sides The
Lewis gun has been manufactured here
FOR the British army. and there are TO-
600 Of them on the battle fronts.
Every British officer have seen has
expressed approval of that gun.
America "as prepared to produce
them, but with the country standing on
seething volcano thc ordinances de-
partment was trying to decide on =,
gun. The War Department didn't cy,n
adopt gun until May, and finally
adopted it in June, 1917, | believe, and
then only on paper, and it still is a Gun
on paper. 1t never has had field test.
Maybe the Browning gun is Il good
weapon, but the Lewis gun is doing
good work. Why not manufacture the
Lewis gum"
The Secretary of War testified before
the committee, Mr.. Chamberlain said
that IN September the United state
mad nine Browning guns "wi.h which
ia 70 out against the millions of Ger>
many. He denounced the cry that in
Nestlgation gives Information to the
enemy.
Great Britain, he said, did not waste
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Camp Deaths Laid
To War Department

Il am going to show that these hun
ofeds and thousands Of men dying in
the cantonments are due to the War
department. he declared. "This in
formation comes right from the men
VINO are on the ground They know
what they are talking about I didn't
intend to do this but in view Of the
situation that confronts me and in
wolves my integrity, | fee! it is nv
duty to the country.
am going to call attention to the
statement Of Surgeon General Goreas
that nearly all cpidemics could have
been prevented if the War Department
had been effective"
Senator chamberlain referred to the
Nreb!e, commander at Camp Bowie.
Texas, last summer against overcrowd, ,
ing men in tents
Men at Camp Bowie, the Senator de-
clared, were packed together like sar
dines. and despite frequent warnings
disastrous epidemics broke out in De-
fembcr. With 5000 men passing throuea
the hospitals.
"Men died. he asserted. "without
proper nursing because Of inefficicn
cies OF the system. | challenge you to
read the record. Don't take my word
tor 1t. All the cantonments are ar
terles of information. and l hope to
God that every young man will writs
his father or mother and tell them lust
what the conditions arc. not to stav
patriotism, but to stimulate those in
authority to do their duty"
General Gorgas's report, he contin-
ucd, showed overcrowding in virtually
every camp, and he asserted that the
surgeon general, of eminent repuia-
tion, had not been consulted rcyardinp
cantonmcnt locations.
Vhink Of that" Senator Chamber
LAIN shouted. "llc was not even CON
suited with reference to the sites. And
not single cantonmcnt was built in
accordance with his recommendations
Tor NIFTY feet of space for each man. "
senator Chamberlain then read prc
v,ously published reports OF camp con-
dlt'ons, showing lack of winter CLOTHING
IN some instances, ovcrcrowding and
prevalence of measles, and interruptcd
to refer TO Secretary Bakers state
mont to the committee that "everv-
thing was all right at these CANTON
mcnts.'
Senator Chamberlain said if Sur
seon General Gorgas's recommends
tons for greater space had BEEN or.
served disease, at least, would have
been reduced.
.havc these recommendations been
tollowcd?' asked Republican Leader
Gallingcr.
They arc attempting to, in some
places, but the recommendations
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Father Finds Son Dying
In a Heatless, Dirty Room

When this father heard OF his sons
illness he went at once to the camp
where he was He found his son in =
dirty rcom- There was want of skilled
attendance The sick boys hands and
face had not been washed in eight days
There vas TO heat, though it was zero
weather. The next day the father
came back and found the boy lying
naked on the bed, except for cotton
nightshirt- the bedding being on the
floor. There was no heat and no at
tendance Finally tho father obtained
permission to nurse his own son, but
is was too late. The boy died.
When the father came to claim the
body he opened the door Of the room
where it was. The door struck against
something. 1t was the dead boys head.
His body had been left on the floor,
Although the Senator disclaimcd any
intention to raise an issue Of veracity
with the President, Mr. Chamberlain
declared that MI. Wilson had been
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25

/. and have these disjointed and
uncoordnated defects weeded OUT
In his letter the Senator also offered
to go over the whole situation with the
President, but said he received no re-
ply, and on the following day the Presi-
dents statement criticzing him was
published.
The Presidents statement and SEN
ator Chamberlan's reply then were
read TO the Senate, and the Oregon
Senator observed
~ do not know if any reply TO my
letter was necessary. l assume that
statement is the answer The state
ment of the President challenges me,
of course, for proof Of the statement
in "The New York Times" to which
statement l adhere and repeat before
this body.
The people OF this country may not
see this as I do. but as chairman of the
Military Committee. as an American
citizen and a member of this distin-
guished bady, l felt that should say
the things that are in me, and if sue
ceed in making a rift in the clouds
through which the American people
may see will feel that my efforts have
not been in vain"
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25

hardly fair in saying that he had not
been consulted about the proposed leg
,slation. He said he and Senator
H'tchcock had discussed tho munitions
director bill with the President. and hc
lcad letter from the President re-
terring to the discussion and opposing
the munitions plan.
Here occurred ono Of the dramatic
incidents of tho speech. The Admins
tation apparently did not want ths
impression that letter would make to
reach the country. Senator James, too.
bad letter from the President, He
interrupted and read it la effect the
president explained that in saying he
had not been consulted he was think
ing OF the war cabinet bill. and not Of
the munitions bill. Senator Chamber
lain thereupon read from tho Presi-
dents statement about him, He called
the Scnatc's attention 10 tho fact that
the President said he had not been con-
suited about tho proposed "rcorganiza-
tions' in the plural number. And tho
senator thought he had been quite fair
IN his usc OF MIR. Wilson's letter. He
hadn : thought to raise any issue OF
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25

haven't been carried out. If these ara
the conditions existing with soldiers
in their home country, what must be
the fate Of the boys sent to Europe to
meet the dangerous and treachcrous
conditions Of warfare ," replied Scna-
tor Chamberlain.
Senator Chamberlain read letter
showing that camp authorities failed
to notify family Of the death Of "A
soldier and that the body came home
wrapped only in sheet
Senate and galleries were moved to
expressions of emotion rs Senator
Chamberlain read letter to Senator
Wordsworth.
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Clothing Not There,
Chamberlain Charles

But when YOU talk TO tho men that
command these boys you find it sn't
there" hc continued. "On n per capita
basis it is there; but when it comes
to effective distribution they simpl,
haven't got the clothing.
Il realize the difficulties Of the quar-
termastcr general. Hc has done tho
best he could undcr the present sys-
| tenn. The President Inherited that sys
n, tenn and has done the best he could
The President isn't responsible for the
system. But the fact remains tha;
we haven't the clothing.c
Senator Chamberlain said he nro.
posed to show by Secretary Bakers
own testimony that the Secretary did
not know Of actual clothing conditions
"That's why l say" he continued,
that the President didn't know the
truth. And l did. He must have rotten
his facts from the Secretary, who in
turn got them from somebody else,
and somebody must have lied. And
that's why say the President has not
been given the truth"
S,tridlng out into the centre aisle
shouted:
II feel it my duty to my country
and my conscience to tell the truth.
have no fear of God, man or the
devll when my conscience prompts.
AND no man in the country can keep
me from telling The truth. The on]v
tear | have is that this discussion NAV
nave a bad effect on the country. But
II the conditions exist they ought TO
DC DC corrected, and quickly. Great
Britain found the same conditions and
corfectcd' them quickly. SO did France" F."
Senator Chamberlain passed around
at v,l,
machine guns, rifles and heavy ord
nance used at cantonmcnts. and astod
senators to study them carefully.
-. "They are of some use," he explained
IN training men. But if had a bow
training for the battlefield I would not
want him to have his training With
nothing else than wooden cannon.''
England and France, he said saw the
mistake of having army men control
the ordnance department..
y GU must 60 to men who have done
these things to get results" he said
and Congress should face this without
lear OF any man, but with due regard
Tor the distinguished commander in
o,: Inc commander at Camp Sherman,
OF 1000 ovcrcoats there. lie refcrred
that statement to Secretary Baker
=, in his usual placed way he said
mats not true," remarked the SEN
ator. viz 'eii-
Senator Chamberlain then read from,
a a letter letter from Secretary Baker, saying
q later report showed 1000 oyercosts
we're needed at Camp Sherman. but
1hat they "were in course Of ship.
"Ihat's the way ever since the war
sSSarlea' IN course but not getting
Then. 7 placing in the record a chart
iSuonlltted 81. to the military committee
ny secretary Baker, showing shortages
OF material. varying from / to 80 Ser
e5 ce5nv, at all camps. Mr. Chamberlain de-
clared he wished that condition to be-
come COM known to the people
i want it shown whether I distorted
,ne ne, truth r. WI when said the military sys-
Reading from the table to show
M shortages of overcoats running as high
as as % q per sent, the Senator reminded
the senate that the troops we're "in the
midst Of winter" S'o