The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1918-02-07
CONDITIONS AT CODY
Military Authorities Denounce False
Stories Circulated as to the
Situation in Camp.
Statement by Lieutenant Colonel ]. M.
Coffin, Medical Officer of the
34th Army Division.
Princeton Union:

Camp Cody, Feb. Delightful
weather the past few days has made
camp life very agreeable. A little
snow and rain settled the dust and
there has been scarcely any wind. The
weather, too, has been balmy and
springlike.
The military authorities are decided
ly weary, of the malignant stories that
are being circulated in communities
where relatives of soldiers make their
nomes regarding camp conditions.
Major General Rlocksom last week de-
nounced those responsible for the
spread of the unfounded stories
as directly aiding in the dis
senaination of spy propaganda,
and it is predicted that such state
ments will be Investigated by the in
telligence section Of the army. =
Everything is proceeding as usual
here, and the latest rumor is that the
125th will go on Today hike in the
near future. If true it promises to be
interesting.
Lieutenant Kalkman left this week
for Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to receive in
structions. Lieutenant Cutter depart
ed for the same place some time ago.
Both are fitting themselves to become
aerial observers, and those who know
them feel certain that they will aquit
" themselves with credit. Lieutenant
Morton will not be connected with that
branch of the service and expects to
be assigned to a battery in the near
future. He will make good wherever
placed.
Nels Olson of Battery A and Tony
Prescott of the Supply company are
afflicted with ear trouble, but their
comrades hope they will be on deck
soon. Wallace Brown is rapidly re-
covering from an attack of rheuma-
tism. .-,.. =.
The supply company received 80 new
mules today and, as we will have about
700 cords of wood to move this month,
we will have plenty to do to keep us
busy.
Am enclosing a statement by Lieut..
Col. J. M. Coffin of the 34th division
which would indicate that camp condi-
tions are satisfactory:
No civil community in the world can
boast of mortality rate or sick rate
so low, in men of the same age period,
as that of an army encampment in
America today. The figures are open
testhe public that they may know this
statement to be fact.
In six months at Camp Cody there
has occurred eighty-three deaths, none
of them from preventable disease. The
early period of training, which totally
changed methods of living, has gone
by, as have the most severe climatic
conditions. The death rate for the
six months has been 6.3 to 1000 men
for period Of one year; with the Sc
: we're test of early training and the
most unfavorable climatic conditions
past, the death rate for the entire
year, it is estimated, will be 28 men
to the Thousand.
The death rate in the civil communi-
ty of the same size as that of the 34th
division, with persons of the same age
period, as estimated by insurance as
sociations, is 1924 to 1000. In other
words, the soldiers chances of living
are from twice to three times as good
as they were in civil life.
The risk rate is CORRESPONDENCE
low, the records show. Meningitis, ty-
phoid, scarlet fever, smallpox and
diphtheria are practically unknown.
Meningitis, hitherto the scourge of
armies in camp, has caused only two
deaths in the division. Not single
case of typhoid has developed.
The largest percentage Of sickness
may be classed under the heading of
minor ailments, such as measles and
tonsilitis, and they have never reached
a stage where they have interfered
with the work Of training.
JULIE.
County War Finance Com mitteo