New-York tribune., 1918-02-12
Gen. Littell Says No Con-
tractor Got lore Than
$25O,OOO
Speed Biggest Item
Army Did Not Take Time to
Get Competitive Estimates
for Camps


mcnts were built. were defended to-day
by Brgadier General Littell and his
aids. who directed the work, in tes-
tifying in the final branch of the SEN
ate Military Committees war inquiry.
General Littell declared the plan had
saved the government money. had not
given contractors excessive fees and
had speedcd completion Of the camps.
Reports Of exorbitant wages paid work
mon were declared to be exaggerated.
While the Military Committee was
investigating thc cantonment contracts
the Senate Judiciary Committee took
up the bill sent to the Capitol last week
by President Wilson proposing unlim-
tied authority for the Executive to re-
organize and coordinate government
departments and bureaus. A sub
committee headed by Senator Overman
was appointed, to proceed with consid-
Grafton of the bill.
Both Senate and House remained
silent to-day on the question of war
efficiency and organization. Several
Senators prepared speeches for deliv-
cry later this week.
Cantonments Cost $143,000,00O
In detailing the work accomplished
in preparing quarters for the war army,
General Littell said the sixteen cam
tonments had cost 5000, 900, and the
average fee Of contractors at each camp
had been from to per cent None
was over per cent and the maximum
was S250,000. Competitive bids we're
impossible, the general said, because
of the speed required.
Delay in completing hospitals was
attributed in part by General Littell to
the surgeon generals Office.
Investigation of the cantonment
question was not completed to-day, and
General Littell and his assistants will
resume their testimony tomorrow. The
committee plans to close its inquiry
with this phase Of the army's activi-
ties after hearing final statement by
Secretary Baker
$25O,oOO Not All Profit.
General Littell said it was first
planned to build thirty-two canton
ments, but it was found desirable to
build only sixteen.
The maximum fee of $4,000 to con-
tractors, General Littell said, was not
nearly all profit and, at times, con-
tractors had more than $1,000.000 Of
their own funds engaged.
Senators Hitchcock and McKellar in
dicated they believed the fees were
rather large, considering the short
time it took to build the cantonments.
The witness said the emergency con-
struction committee of the Council of
National Defence had large part in
selecting cantonment contractors, and,
he added, he thought the advisory com
mittee's assistance had been most help
full.
"There was no other way it could
have been done so promptly and sue
cessfully," he testified
Major Starrett and Frederick L. Ohm
sted, of Boston, he said, were the most
active members of the advisory con-
struction committee.
Chairman Chamberlain said that, on
its face, General Littell's statement
= AN'AG NNAAiP hOSplCdA
was a good showing" but he added
that it was not substantiated by pre-
vlous testimony before the committee
Your statement would indicate all
the hospitals were equipped, while
some of them are not euuipped vet -
the senator said.
General Littell said that stoves, if
not steam heat, had been provided at
all hospitals, some of which were be-
gun late. At Camp Doniphan, Okla.
where Senator Chamberlain said there
was serious pneumonia epidemic
General Littell said there was at least
months delay, due to discussion of
whether a hospital should be built
!nere or that at Fort Sill used. Where
1t was found that stoves for hospitals
could not be promptly secured, the wit
ness SAID, the camp commanders were
authorized to get heating equipment To-
cally or at any other source.
General Littell said the surgeon gen
erals plans for hospitals at National
Army camps did not contemplate in
stallatlon of heating, sewage or plumb
ing equi pment.
Why?' asked Senator Chamberlain.
=, Ihat, L suppose, was because it was
thought the men would soon be going
10 Europe and would not be in camp
long: and that the camps would not be
used" the general replied.
Not until July II were orders re-
celved to proceed with construction of
National Army cantonment hospitals.
the witness testified. 1--WE were told
to suspend or hold back hospital CON
structlon until we thought it would be
dangerous for the men,"
Funds Were Insufficient
Funds for the hospitals were INSULT
gent, the general said, and Secretary
BAKER did not want to cause further
dehclencles, desiring to await appro-
priation of funds by Congress.
Nobody thought we would ever have
such severe weather." said the witness.
'"and we thought the hospitals would
be completed in plenty of time"
The hospitals were built according
70 plans presented by Surgeon General
Gorgas, the general said, and he pro
duced an order from the surgeon gen
eral, dated July 80 for two hospitals.
directing him not to let contracts for
Difficulty in getting steam
fitting, materials, General Littell said.
was another factor in late euuipment
of the hospitals
General Littell disclosed that, to pre-
vent overcharging of the government
on "cost plus" contracts, Secret Ser
vice men were at every cantonment to
report loafing of workmen or unneces-
sary expenditures by contractors.
Newark Boy Dies in Camp