New-York tribune., 1919-03-22
Calder Promises Inquiry
Why Men of the Booth
We're Sent Into Battle
Inadcquately Trained
Betrayal of Trust Seen
Kahn and Wadsworth Are
Depended On 10 Assist
in Fixing Responsibility

Senator William NJ. Calder, of New
York, told The Tribune last night that
on the convening of Congress he would
90 before the Senate and insist upon
IAN immediate and thorough investiga-
tion' of Colonel William Hayward's
. charge that the 369th Infantry-the
old 18th New York, which he led over
seas--was thrown into action by the
commanders of the American Expcd-
tionary Force without proper training.
Colonel Hayward made his charge
in an address before the Circumnavi-
gators Club at the Hotel Commodore
Thursday night In an interview with
The Tribune, Senator Calder declared
that while Colonel Hayward's state
ments were startling" they contained
nothing that had not already come to
mis- attention from other sources"
Senator Calder declined to disclose
these sources" or to discuss further
the information he obtained from
them. The name of the officials re-
sponsible for sending unframed men to
the firing line ought to be disclosed to
the public, he said.
One Of the purposes OF the investi-
cation, Senator Calder declared, would
be to ascertain whether the condi-
tions Colonel Hayward said existed in
his regiment were true of other units
in the American forces.
Aims to Place Responsibility
"lf it was the general policy of the
War Department to put men on the
firing line before they had proper
training, this should be brought to
light and the responsibility for it es-
tablished," said he.
Senator Calder declared he was sure
both Representative julius Kahn, of
California, who will be chairman of
the House Military Affairs Committee
in the next Congress, and Senator
Wadsworth, of New York, who, Sena-
tor Calder said, probably would head
the Senate Military Affairs Committee,
would render all aid in their power in
the proposed investigation.
Senator Calders statement nj full
was as follows:
II read Colonel William Hayward's
charges this morning, and while they
are startling, they do not contain any
thing that has not already come to my
sttention from other sources
ut is my purpose immediately upon
the convening of Congress to lay Colo
mel Hayward's charges before the SEN
ate, and insist that an immediate and
thorough investigation of the same
be made.
1.-THE name of the official or officials
responsible for the orders putting
men into battle with so little knowi-
edge of warfare ought to be disclosed
to the public.
r. If 1t was the general policy of the
war Department to put men on the
hrlng line before they had proper
.rainlng, this ought to be brought to
light and the responsibility for it es-
tabished.
No country ever gave up her bows
20 willingly, and that they should have
oeen forced to fight without sufficient
PREPARATION IS betrayal of the conf
aehcc the American people placed in
the hands Of the War Depa rtmcnt.
IT will be interesting to learn
*hether other units in the American
army fought under similar conditions
"i.nout proper training.
representative julius Kahn, of
california, is in France. He will be
SSnsIrman OF the House Military Affairs
Committee of the next Congress.
~ am Informed he is gathering in
formation on the conditions Under
which our men fought, and I am certain
NAT both he and Senator Wadsworth,
sno probably Will be chairman of the
i SENATE Military Affairs Committee and
gno was in France for two months
ssi'er the signing of the armisticc, can
oe depended upon to give every assist
ance @ IN their power to see that these
sasrges are thoroughly inquired into
sao tnat those responsible for this
Dail,lng condition of affairs are ex-
posed no matter how high they be-"
Colonel Hayward declined yesterday
% 20 make any further statement con-
sefhing MS Hotel Commodore address.