The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-01-25
SENATOR REPLIES
TO the PRESIDENT
Chamberlain BIames War De-
partment fer EpidemiCs in
Army Camps.
SAYS, time NATION KNEW
LaWmaker in Address to Senate
Stands by Charges of Gross lneffi-
cheney in Conduct of the War
Soldiers Died Neediessly.

Washington, Jan. 25.-After speak
ing nearly three hours Senator Cham
berlain concluded whit plea that he
was only doing his duty in arousing
the country to its danger and that he
would support the president, although
grossly maligned" Senator Kirby of
Arkansas, a Democrat, took up 4 re-
ply.
His veracity challenged by President
Wilson, Senator Chamberlain, a Demo
crat, chairman of the senate commit
tee on military affairs, replied to Pres
ident Wilson's attack upon his criti-
ciSm of the administrations conduct
of the war
Before senate and crowded gal
lerieS that sat in intent silence, fol
lowing each word uttered, Chairman
Chamberlain said that he believed the
time had come when the country
should hear the truth and judge not
between the president and himself nor
any others as individuals, but between
policies which affect personal safety
in this war of every fighting man as
well as that of the nation, its institu-
tiOns and civilization in general.
War Department and Epidemics.
The Oregon senator said he would
show that the deaths of the hundreds
and thousands of men at environments
and camps were due to the war de-
partment and that "all epidemics could
have been prevented if the war de-
partment had been effective"
This information comes right from
the men who are on the ground. They
know what they are talking about"
Nov that my truthfulness has been
questioned" he continued, Il feel it
my duty to tell the country something
I might not have told it under ordinary
circumstances. l do it as a man who
loves his country best of all and who
would willingly give his life for it. l
do it fearlessly as an American citi-
zen who desires to help and not to
hinder"
Warned Against Overcrowdng.
Senator Chamberlain referred to the
Greble commander at Camp Bowie,
Tex, last summer against overcrowd-
ing men in tents.
General Gorgas' report, he continued,
showed overcrOwding in virtually every
camp, and he asserted that the sur
geOn general, of eminent reputation,
had not been consulted regarding can
tonment locations.
Shows Wilson Was Consulted.
Senator Chamberlain read to the
senate letter received from President
Wilson opposing the creation of min
lister Of munitions. He said he did this
to counteract the presidents charge
that he had not been consulted regard
ing proposed legislation to be offered
in congress.
Senator Chamberlain opened his de-
fense by stating that, if the president
relied for the truth as to conditions in
the war department upon the same Off
cials who testified before the senate
committee on military affairs, he did
not know the truth because they had
shown they did not themselves know
1t. The senator acquitted Secretary
Baker and his aids of any attempt at
deception. He excused them on the
ground that, burdened with details as
they are, they could not know all the
facts or even know some of them all
the time.
Letter From Dead Soldiers Father.
Senate and galleries were moved to
expressions of emotion as Senator
Chamberlain read a letter to Senator
Wadsworth The writer, whose name
was not given, said he was notified
through friends that his sen was i'll
six days after he had been taken to
the camI hospital. He was first per-
mitted to see the boy through a Win
dow and the first sight appalled, him.
The room and bed were filthy, he
wrote and the patient had not been
bathed for eight days. His requests
for a nurse or to permit himself to aid
his son were refused, the writer stat
ed, but finally he was told he might
provide clean clothes. When he re-
turned his sons face and hands had
been washed, but still were dirty.
The next day he returned again as
an attendant was trying to give the
patient water from a bowl When the
father intervened the attendant said.
Il guess | better get funnel" and ac-
tually returned with a paper funnel.
The father stopped that and suggested
a spoon. Fifteen minutes later the
boy died. At headquarters of the
camp he was told that ne might have
his sons body that night. Having pro-
vided himself with pass to the hos
pital, he did not knock when he en-
tered, but as he tried to open the door
it struck heavy object. 1t was his