ARMY VETERINARY DEPARTMENT. 
237 
if they wish to carry out his instructions they do so and if they 
do not they do not. An inspector-general, one of the best in the 
service, told me a great many years ago that if he stayed in that 
department another year he intended to have another veterinar¬ 
ian to go around with him to inspect the horses. 
Now, Captain Hull will remember that in this committee 
room, when this matter was being considered, an army general 
said, “ Why, gentlemen, if we commission these men, a major 
veterinarian might be in a position sometimes to say to a captain 
of cavalry, ‘ you cannot take this troop out because the horses 
have sore backs.’ ” Now, it has been stated as a fact that the 
colonel or major doctor once told a colonel of the regiment that 
•it was not right to drill the men when the weather was 15, 20 or 
30 degrees below zero. Now, I believe they have the right to de¬ 
cide climatic conditions- 
Mr. Anthony (interposing)—Do the veterinarians pur¬ 
chase or have anything to do with the purchase of their cavalry 
supplies? 
Dr. Turner —No, sir; the veterinarian has nothing to do 
with it; it is done through the quartermaster-general’s depart¬ 
ment. 
Mr. Anthony— Do you think it would improve the situation 
and promote the efficiency of the service if the veterinary corps 
should have the power to purchase its own supplies ? 
Dr. Turner —Yes, sir; that is contemplated in the bill. At 
present the veterinarian has nothing to do with his supplies. 
The Chairman— f do not think that the veterinary corps is 
given any authority of that kind in the bill. 
Dr. Turner— You will find that provision in line 8 on page 1 
of the bill, “ One as purchasing officer of veterinary supplies.” 
At the present time each troop of cavalry draws its allotted 
amount for replacing its supplies every three months. 
Mr. Anthony— Whether they need it or not? 
Dr. Turner —Yes, sir; and my experience and observation 
were that the captain always drew it every three months. At 
present there is an allotment of 25 cents a quarter for each horse 
for medicine. I think another gentleman will bring out that 
proposition, but I understand that if a veterinarian were put in 
charge of this thing 5 cents a quarter would be sufficient. 
The Chairman —Why do you want five of these veterinar¬ 
ians as inspectors of meats in the subsistence department? 
Dr. Turner— Mr. Chairman, that was simply to bring the 
