The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1918-01-31
The secretary said there might be
instances of shortcomings. but only

SOAiSluuCl IL tllleTS Was ally cASS
the committee desired to Investigate he
would do everything possible within
ms power to assist without fear or
favor" and to effect any improvement.
/, The secretary said that when he
heard of the two letters read by Sen
ator Chamberlain concerning bad
treatment Of sick soldiers he fmmedi-
ately asked Mr. Chamberlain for all the
details
want to follow those through to
the very end" said he, land find out
who is responsible in order that can
punish the guilty"
Although more than 100000 men are
under arms in this country, Mr. Baker
said. the number of complaints re-
ceived have been relatively small,
probably not more than Is. In each in
stance he said. Investigations have
been made imrnedi lately
Wood Favored Call.
Major General Wood, Mr.. Baker said,
recommended calling out a large army,
although the men could not be pro-
Vlded at once with rifles and clothing.
Every soldier who needs a rifle has
one" Secretary Baker said. and of a
better type than if the British enfield
rifle had been adopted.
Some reports, the secretary SAID,
nave not proved serious upon inquiry,
While others had. in which case correc-
lions followed ~
Trace Trouble to Briton.
In the case of the body of an officer
who died at an aviation training school
being shipped home in sheet, Score
tary Baker said inquiry developed that
the camp was in charge of a British
aviation officer. who followed the Brit
ish method of sending bodies home I'M
clothed, the mans clothes being shipped
IN IN a separate parcel. An American of
1lcer was then put in charge.
,34a Another complaint of neglect of a
patient at Camp Wheeler, he said, de-
veloped that it was unjustified and re-
sulting from the distressed ina gination
of the widow
/. There still are in the hands of the
inspector general nine cases being in
Vestlgated. Mr.. Baker told of invest
lgatlons which resulted in discharge of
Lieut.. Charles w. Cole and Lieut.. John
g. Dye, for neglect of patients, as pub
lished in the newspapers Saturday and
Sunday. The judge advocate general
advised adding a prison sentence to
the dismissal. and that is being con-
sidered.
The department sets it's face against
that sort of callous disregard Of SOL
d1ers' health, Secretary Baker said. IT
want doctors and the country to know
That there lives and welfare are re-
sponsihility which I will not permit
to be lodged or handled in a cavalier
fashion,
Sick Are Well Treated.
While camp commanders are held re-
bonslble for health conditions, Secre-
tary Baker said, the surgeon generals
o1fice mas daily inspections and he has
appointed DIR. John A. Hornsby, hos
pital expert, as his personal inspector.
telegram from DR.. Hornsby regard
ing camp conditions, Senator Chamber
lain assailed, disclosed them greatly
improved with mortality reduced and
ample accommodations for all sick
No army could be raised in any coun
try, the secretary contended, without
danger from communicable diseases.
All that could be done was to provide
every means Of science to meet that
danger That, he insisted, was being
done.
Why Rifles Were Changed
Taking up Senator Chamberlain S
attack on the ordnance bureau. Mr.
Eaker said that mems minds differed
about the types of guns to be used and
about the quantity. He then disclosed
that the decision to adopt the so-cailed
rc-chambered Enfield rifle was reached
late enc night in his office at a CON
ference attended by General Pershing,
VINO vas prepai,ing TO go to France
General Scott, chief of staff: General
sclYtnf of o,.d,,.,,,,,a y . -
tlSen haad of 4na -" Irs,.eia, MIN
,.iftes !, ,r, 49, re- ol !, Ms apsrts N
limo &C. ave III Nay or carry IN
Tha An,er;c., s,,,.;..e;a,a ,.;e,.
s,scretary rs Rs,t -a,.'i 'p.iasile5u rue
tht hast ,,,iIit.pr, FL Ma5 a.. a
country, when this decision was
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<socsas,rv r.ai.a,. oat Was i,ol hiloMil
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e,.;,.f3e,t had Lee, ,,.al,sad soN-
tnn entire Rr,,isI =, 81, 70 Iear an
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