From the News

Dated:

Alberta Veterans Charge Cooks and Stewards Dismissed from Northland Were on This Vessel and Bled Them Unmercifully - Sleeping Accommodation Foul, Wash Room Facilities Bad

The Northland cooks and stewards have been up to their pranks again, according to W. J. Dyson, the traveling representative of the Alberta Returned Soldier Commission. For some time now, indeed, since all the rumpus that was caused by the inquiry as to the treatment of returning soldiers on board the Northland, there have been few complaints on the score of food and accommodation.
This, however, has not been the case with the men who crossed by the steamer Saturnia. As a matter of fact, most bitter protests have been lodged, and these are supported by the whole of the western men who reached Calgary Monday evening. It is stated that the cooks and stewards of the Northland, who were cashiered after the inquiry, were signed on the Saturnia, and the steamer had hardly left Liverpool before they commenced to “draw the coin” from the veterans.

The Old Procedure

The old, customary procedure was resorted to. The men were more than half clammed, so that the cooks and stewards might have the surplus food which was served up in pies and other ways. A meal of chicken cost $1.20. Three apples were retailed at 25c. Pies averaged 50c each. Even a “quarter” was charged for six ship's biscuits.

Soldiers Helpless

It was a Hobson's choice with the soldiers. They were compelled to patronize the stewards, as much of the food that was served in the ordinary way was tainted and unfit for consumption. Eggs were absolutely “rotten” and the fish so bad that it almost made the soldiers vomit.

Sanitary Conditions Frightful

But this was not all. The sleeping accommodation was foul, and as many as six men were placed in a compartment 9ft. by 8ft. There was no attempt at ventilation, and the temperature, taken in the presence of the ship's officers, stood at 95.

The sanitary conditions almost beggared description. Two wash basins, one closet and one bath had to serve for more than 90 men.

Statements Vouched for

All these statements have been vouched as being correct by Sergeant-Major McKinley, Sergeant-Major Ching, Sergeant-Major Jenkinson, and Sergeant-Major Stone, all of Calgary, supported by a long list of 79 Alberta men, and 190 men whose homes are in British Columbia.

Mr. Dyson informed a representative of the Calgary Herald Tuesday morning that he was reporting the matter to Harold Stutchbury, the chief secretary of the Alberta Returned Soldier Commission, and the latter would, doubtless, communicate with the officials in Ottawa without delay.

The only redeeming feature of this party's trip was the accommodation and treatment on the C.P.R. train. This, it is stated, left nothing to be desired.