American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-03-21

Her, homesteader of Igo, has written |
for the Boise Statesman the most IL
Eliminating statement of the condl-
tions at Brest France, that has ap-
peared. A heated controversy has been
raging over Brest for some time. IL
started in this country on the ARRIVAL
of some of the first American troops
to return through that port. me con-
ditions as described by them were SO
narrowing as to raise nationwide
protest. A little later Senator owen
and other members of congress came
home, and Senator owen declared that
whoever was responsible for the con-
ditions there should be prosecuted.
The war department then got busy and
ordered an investigation, and an army
officer reported that the conditions
were good. The controversy has not
ceased. and the public has been in
douht as to what the conditions re-
ally we're. Young Collier, who was a
reporter on the Pocatello tribune at
the time of entering the service, says
it all depends upon when the camp
was inspected as to the conoltions
that would be reported. HIS most IN
teresting article follows:
81 am not a general, nor was l on
senate investigating committee Wneh
7 was in Brest, but as a doughboy SER
" geant. who was in Brest three times
on duty with troops, l can give you
some straight information when VIII
allow you to form an opinion Whlcn
90 Won said in your editorial on March
II is difficult for the people at home
who read conflicting reports from
those in authority who have seen
Brest.
What Officer COnfided.
"On January 27, this year, my bat
TALON of the 163rd unloaded from our
'hommes 40, cheveauxS cars at Brest
and after getting a feed OF SUM,
which was good and was appreciated
by us. our battalion commander torm
ed his command and to us he sald
these words:
"'The commanding general of Brest
camn evidently is an autocrat for our
orders for marching are far more ty-
sNnnical than ever | have seen aIleI
year in the lines, but regardless OF
this condition we (the whole battal-
ion) will march from the uochs
(where we detrained) up TO FohlalNeh
barracks at attenllOH.
"I enjoin you to comply 10 tne
man. Seventy pounds on your PACK
hiking up a two per cent grace VIII
sweating bodies does not excuse us
from marching at rigid attention. oui
chances of embarking for Amerlca
depend upon the report of a private
military policeman. You have your
orers. Comply"
1t Was Some Hike.
We slung our packs and peeah lh'
ascent. Four kilometers we marche'
tat attention, sweating, the suspender'
fairly tearing at our shoulders, neVel
. looking to the right or left, always al
ewes on the back of the neck OF tn
man preceding you in the column o
SQUADS. 1t was "some hike" AT TN
top of the hill we then stood motion
less for two hours waiting 10 nav
our heated bodies famed by chii
wind with the only physical resui
until we we're assigned certain Sc
Of mud covered by tentage.
Half of the floor space OF each ten
was boarded with duck boards, IN
remainder lust mud, soft, and so dee
a man without wadeTs was handlcal
ped-neeulehs W e"S 'AN
boots.
Immediately the companies wer
ordered to turn out all available PRIV
ates for detail. One week previous a
ranks we're issued new home-gom
uniforms only to besmirch the'
with the dirt always incident to
fatigue party.
Plenty Of Good Food.
The food was wholesome and plel
tifuI One month previous just II
onnosite could be truthfuily said ar
and the food itself was by far less
nrohIem than the work of lining u
IN December 20 fell out for brea
fast at 7 O'Clock, and at 1880 o'cloc
after four and one half hours stan
ing in mud in a mess line ! got n
alum and was then glad to get
MANY men could not stand the me
line gaff. They were the ones WI
soon contracted the influenza al
died. However. that problem nj
been solved in January and we pral
the messing administration for its O
velopment
I'VE were at Brest the last time
a period of eight days, awaiting shi
lutte and crushing we lin order 10
bome) literally stood on our hea
until the day came for our emoarF
ton.
Great Seas of Mud.
Everywhere there was mud-gr'
seas of mud There was mud on
roads. inside the tents, beneath
around the hunks in the corruga'
iron barracks: in fact, you were star
ing in four inches of soft muik WI
eating meals. Here and there signs
attempted drainage would appear,
all ranks will instantly agree II
with all America behind them, mon
men and material, the commanders
= the camp long ago should have T
q dered the camp fit for an animal
live. because, where horse or
could thrive in the interior. we
ways made out and thrived, There
n l.. H. rTv