The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1918-01-28


as nothing beside the object we al
seek. / am not here to deny short
Cumings but / think can say this:
That where we have found such
SHORTCOMINGS, whether it seem well
Rounded or not, that you instantly
refer 1t to me in order that the pro-
tcesses OF the department may sift
The truth"
From Senator Chamberlain's speech
MIR. Baker said 1t had seemed to him
that, although 1t was not the sena-
tors purpose to make 1t so appear,
Fthe country got an impression from
the failures and delays that made
them 'disproportionate to what was
going on"
Are Only Instances.
The secretary said there might be
s'instances Of shortcomings but only
Instances" When he appeared pre-
vtously, Mr.. Baker said 1t was with
the intention Of being frank" but
despite this desire he seemed ito
have left the feeling that ! was fenc-
ing in defense Of some Of my sub
ordinates." He denied any such in
tentton and said when he conclud-
ed, if there was anything else the
committee desired to investigate he
would do everything possible within
khis power to assist without fear or
favor" and to effect any improve
lnent.
The secretary said that when he
heard Of the two letters read by
Senator Chamberlain concerning bad
treatment of sick soldiers he i'm
for all the details.
L want to follow those through to
the very end" said he, "and find out
who is responsible, in order that l
can punish the guilty"
Although more than one million
men are under arms in this country,
mr.. Baker said, the number of com
plants received have been relative
ly small, probably not more than
eighteen. In each instance, he said,
investigations have been made i'm
mediately.
Recommended Big Army.
Major General Wood, Mr.. Baker
said, recommended calling out a
large army, although the men could
not be provided at once with rifles
and clothing.
Every soldier who needs a rifle has
one, Secretary Baker said, and Of
better type than If the British En-
field rife had been adopted.
Some reports. the secretary said,
have not proved serious upon inquiry,
Tections followed.
In the case OF the body Of an off,
Ger who died at an aviation train
ing school being shipped home IN a
Eheet Secretary Baker said, inquiry
developed that the camp was in
charge Of a British aviation officer.
who followed the British method of
sending bodies home unclothed. the
mans clothing being shipped in q
separate parcel. An American off,
Ger was then put in charge
Complaint uniustified.
Another complaint. of neglect Of a
patient at Camp Wheeler. he said.
developed that it was unjustified and
resulting from the distressed
Imagination Of the widow" There
still are in the hands OF the inspec- |
tor Eenerai nine cases being investi-
gated. Mr.. Baker told OF inVestiga-
tons which resulted in discharge of |
Lieut.. Charles w. Cole and Lieut.. |
John q. Dye, for neglect of patients, |
as published in the newspapers |
Saturday and Sunday. The Judge |
advocate general advised adding a !
prison sentence to the dismissal. and !
that Is being considered.
''The department sets its face
against that sort Of callous disregard
OF soldiers health" Secretary Bak-
err said. Il want doctors and the
country TO know that their lives and
welfare are a responsibility which l
VIII not permit to be lodged or
handled in a cavalier fashion"
Daily Inspections.
While camp commanders are held |
responsible for health conditions,
Secretary Baker said, the surgeon
generals office has daily inspections
and he has appointed Dr. John A.
Hornsby, a hospital expert, as his
personal inspector. A telegram from
DIR. HOrnsby regarding camp condt-
tons, which Senator Chamberlain
assailed, disclosed them greatly i'm
proved" with mortality reduced and |
ample accommodations for all sick"
Secretary Baker read a letter from
Mrs, Mary Roberts Rinehart, the
writer, who has a son in the
service, commencing hospital con-
ditions she recently inspected. Mrs.
Rinehart said she was impressed by
Senator Chamberlain's tragic letters.
'SBut l feel the mothers of the coun-
try should know" wrote Mrs. Rine-
hart, that the number of such
cases is small. It 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 remedied. The
shortage Of women nurses is serious.
But Of cruelty and indifference I
have found nothing. Ninety-nine out
or a hundred boys are receiving
better care than they could afford at
home"
s And wish to point out further"
added Secre etary Baker, that the
very heads Of the medical profession.
the masters OF the profession, are in
constant TOUGH with the surgeon
general"
s No army could be raised in any
country, 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.
The Ordnance Bureau. s
Taking up Senator Chamberlain's
attack on the ordnance bureau, Mr..
Baker said that mems minds differed {
about the types OF guns to be used
and about the quantity. He then
that the decision to adopt {
the sO-called re-chambered Enfield I
rifle was reached late one night in '
bis Office at a conference attended by
General Pershing, who was prepar- [
Ing to so to France; General Scott, q
chief of stan; General Bliss, assist
ant chief; General CroZier, chief of
and General Kuhn, then
bead Of the war college, and several
other staf officers, experts in S
rifies." 1t was late in May or early
b June o
The American Springfield rifle, +
Secretary Baker said, was admit e
.edly the best military rifle develop Il
"a by any country" when this deCis- Il
on was reached. There were in o
stock about 500, 900 Of them. e.
IT was not then known, Secretary a
Baker contended, whether American V