The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-23
WAS NO NEGLECT
Topekans Deny Wichita Story
Coal Field 'sOutrages.''
"BeerIess Princess Guards
Kicked About Treatment.
CLAIMED EQUIPMENT BAD
Latter Probably Due Inexperi-
ence of Own Officers.
Only Real Hardship Was
Weather, Local p. e. F.'s Say.

Statements recently published in a
Wichita paper that the Wichita and
other of the national guard troops
were "shamefully neglected" while in
the coal fields were denied by Topeka
guardsmeH today.
Statements characterizing the allie
cations as a bunch of untruths" have
been received from number of men,
ranking from the lowest buck to the
commandant
Wichita national guardsmen are re-
ported to have quoted their command
ing officer, Captain White, of Kansas
City, as saying he never saw anything
in France in the way of hardships en-
dured by the Wichita boys in the coal
fields. Wichita bemoaned lack of the
following:
Camp and service equipment. s.~a.
Medical supplies and attention.
Relief from constant duty in zero weather.
Proper TRANSPORTATION equipment out of
the mining district.
According to Capt. J.. A. Ashworth,
OF Topeka Company H, in all his fif-
teen years of army experience he has
never seen a body of soldiers better
handled under conditions as trying.
He mentioned the method of han
ding troop rattons as a thing he had
never seen in the army before, in that
it was possible at all times to obtain
all the food that could possibly be
used. 1t was necessary only for the
officer in charge to request what he
wanted and he got it without delay.
they turned in food supplies enough
to last them several days, Captain
| Ashworth declared.
Claim Equipment Short.
Altho the troops were ordered out
with full winter equipment it was said
that the three Wichita companies en-
trained with only about tWo-thirds
such equipment.
Capt. r. F. Montgomery, of the sup
ply department, has signed receipts
from officers of all companies show
ing when they received supplies re-
quested. Figures at the adjutant gen.
erals office indicate that 1000 pairs
| of shoes were sent to Pittsburg and
could have been drawn on at any
time. 1t would have been possible for
troops to draw shoes on December 1,
had it been desired. Receipts indicate
| that q number of companies received
shoes on December 2. Wichita COM
panies were notified to send in lists
Of sizes of shoes desired. Local ten
listed men are inclined to believe that
IL Wichita troops were neglected. it
was due to the inexperience of their
officers in knowing how to get things
needed. Troops from Wichita started
out with two blankets. Two hundred
more were sent them on -Decembe Y,
and on December<3 they received 500
bed sacks.
sergt. G. c. Sick1er, of Company'D,
Emporia, says: Sure it was hard
service. We had all the clothes We
needed. All the food any one could
eat. But we didn't have china plates,
silver mess tools or flowers on the
table. One night I slept on the ground
with my clothes on, two blankets over
me, and piece of stove pipe for a
pillow. But you can't expect all the
comforts of home on an emergency
| expedition of that kind and no real
soldier would think of asking for
them. Weather conditions were very
| trying but the administration has
nothing to do with weather.
Were Short of Men.
afThen we were short of men and
| 1t was necessary for each soldier to
| work harder than would have been
| the case if there had been more of
| them. l went to Pittsburg with the
| Topeka boys and transferred over to
my Emporia company. but came home
with the Topeka boys L did not hear
| any unusual complaining of excessive
hardshIps from the boys in either of
| these outfits. None of them would
be glad to be called out again, but if
| the call should come every one would
turn out, am sure"
General Martin mentioned the fact
that more than 1000 volunteer miners
were taken care of despite the fact
That tAey were oiiiy SiulpPeu ~ Sohe
for their OWE men. Efforts to secure
extra equipment ten days before the
men left for the coal. mines were sue
cessful in providing an extra, supply
of mess kits and other needed equip
ment making it possible to care for
all men, both soldiers and volunteer
miners.
AS to the dearth of medical atten-
ton, Captain Ashworth stated today
his statement being corroborated by
Captain Montgomery, that he knew
nersnnaIIv every nlatnnn WAS anuinned