Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-10-03
WILLING TO COOPERATE
Surgeon General sternberg to the Investi-
eating Commission
Gen. Beaver the Only Absentee This
HorniuE-Gen. "heeler 10
Testify Tomorrow.


| mission was continued this morning at 10
O'Clock There were present Gen. Dodge,
chairman; Col. DENLY, Capt. Howell, Gen.
Wilson. DR. Conner, eX-Gov. Woodbury.,
Gen. McCook and Col Sexton. Ex-Gov.
Beaver of Pennsylvania was the only Tnem-
Der of the commission absent from the
meeting. He is expected to be here this
evening and it is believed that there will
he Il full meeting of the commission tomor-
row morning.
The commission today continued to cor
slider communications that are being re-
ceived in large numbers, nearly all of them
reciting complaints In addition to the COM
municaticns received by the commission as
a body and Individually, Il batch of letters
was sent over from the White House. In
regard to these communications the course
hat was followed last week was adhered
to- In nearly every instance a letter was
sent to the writer asking further details in
regard to the things complained OF. In
few cases letters were explicit enough to
permit them being fled as fully covering
the facts complained of.
Gen. Sternberg Asks for n Visit.
The following communication was re-
ceived from Surgeon General Sternberg:
Il have the honor to submit for the con-
sderatiOn of the committee of investigation
the inclosed statement relating to resDon-
sibility in the medical department of the
army. | respectfully suggest that the COM
mission, a whole or Il subcommittee, visit
the office of the surgeon general at an early
day for the purpose OF investigating the
organization and methods of work which
have been employed in my office during the
war with Spain.
Il have received a copy of the questions
relating to the medical department, and
shall do my best to answer these questions
iy,f frYIl rIy dat nS iG a Ia
But considerable time will be required,
owing to the enormous amount of import
ant official business pertaining to the regu-
lar administrative work of the office. To
neglect this would give just cause for criti-
cism, and I am sure the commission will
agree with me that my first duty is to pro-
vide for the proper care of the sick of our
armies in the field and in garrison, so far
as this lies in my power. This has been
my earnest endeavOr from the outset OF our
short and glorious war with Spain
The above letter was read to the COM
mission. together with the statement ac-
ccmpanying it. This statement has been
published heretofore. No action was taken
on the letter, but the commission will
carry the investigation desired by the
surgeon general though that will not be
done until a number of witnesses have
been examined
The commission took no important action
today. it being determined that nothing
would De done in the way of deciding upon
full mem bershtp of the commission was
present. The absence of Gen. Beaver was
sufficient to stand in the way of any i'm
pGrtant action.
Gen. Wheeler to Testify.
1t is expected that tomorrow morning
Gen. Wheeler will appear before the COM
mission and give his testimony regarding
events at Santiago. 1t is understood that
Gen. Wheeler has not prepared any matter
for the commission and that his testimony
viii be given in reply to questions put to
him He will answer anything he is asked.
1t is likely that Gen. Whecler'S testimony
will consume all the time of the commits
sion tomorrow. 1t is not possible to indi-
cate how long it Will last That will de-
pend altogether upon the questioning to
which he is subjected.
The commission met again at 9 O'Clock
this afternoon to remain in session until
o'clock.
Status of the Commission.
Today's session was devoted largely to
the consideration of the method for the
examination of witnesses, and in this con-
nection the question of administering oaths
was discussed at considerable length. The
members generally took the position that,
under strict construction. the commission
had no authority 10 compel witness to be
swora by q member of the commission. but
there was also a general opinion that the
witnesses would not raise technical objec-
tions and that they would in all probability
submit to be sworn without opposition 1t
was decided. however, to inform witnesses
frankly OF the status of the board and to
afford them an opportunity to decline in
case they so desire.
II was suggested that the whole difficulty
might he avoided by getting the President
TO appoin, oHe OF the officers of the board
to the office of a CCtary public, and 1t Is
probable that this request will be made
with the end iE view of having an officer
caTable Of sdrninist eriug oaths present in
case of emergency.
To Gov. Beaver was assigned the task Of
| leading in the examination of Witnesses
but there is an understanding that other
members of the board shall ask such qucs-
| tons as they may desire to ask.