The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-28
PERTINENT QUERIES.
A Pointed Letter is Addressed to the
Secretary Of War,
The MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
Seventeen Questions. Covering the En-
tire Ground. Arc F8Icd at This
Branch OF the SerNicc-Alger's
Letter 20 President Mckin-
ley Proceedings OF the
Board Yesterday.

WASHINGTON. Sept. g7.--The War In
4 vestgating Commission resumed its la
! building. and at the close Of the morning
| session gave out number Of documents
( bearing upon the work 10 DO undertaken.
These comprise the letter OF Secretary
Alger TO the President. requesting that
/ the Investigation be made. a brief ad-
/ dress to the public in the shape OF
| resolution letter from Chairman Dodge
/ to the Secretary Of War. enclosing list
/ of inquiries 70 the Secretary and the
! heads of the various divisions OF the
| War Department. calling for specific In
formation bearing upon the conduct or
/ the war. The letter OF Secretary Alger
/ fOllOWs3
ALGERS LETTER.
To the President: / have the honor 20
| ask that a board consisting from I'VE
I TO seven members Of the most distinguish
/ ed soldiers and civilians that can be SEE
/ lecied or appointed by you. with fun
| power TO investigate thoroughly every
| bureau Of the War Department IN con-
nection with the mastering, clothing sup
| plying. and arming Of troops: transporta-
/ tion. the letting OF contracts. and charter
! ing Of vessels and all expenditures Of
every kind. as well as OF orders issued by
this department-indeed that everything
connected with the army be thoroughly
investigated for your Information.
(SigneO r. A. ALGER
Secretary of War.
The letter Of Chairman Dodge TO Sec
retary Alger is as follows.
To the Secretary Of War:
Sir-Pursuant 60 authority conferred
upon US by the President, we have the
honor 10 request that you direct the Ad-
jutant-General the Quartermaster-Gene-
raj. the Commissary-Gcne the Sur
geon-General the chief OF Ordnance. and
the Chief Of Engineers 10 furnish us as
soon as practlcahie Information as 20 tne
condition Of fheir several departments ~
the time Of the declaration OF wav with
Spain. and the operations of those de-
partments from that time until the pres
ent
CHARACTER or INFORMATION.
We desire the information 90 include
the following. viz.
First. the times and places Of the mo-
biiization Of the reeuiar ana volunteer
troops.
into the Vari0ls subdivisions OF the ar-
my. the personnel of the brigade. division,
corps, and army commanders, ana or
their STATS whether appointed from the
tiOnal guard or from civil ire.
Third the amount and kind or camp
and garrison equipage and other SUPP
plies that were on hand al the beginning
OF the war The amount subsequently
purchased. when and where purchased,
when and where delivered. and when ard
whore actually issued 90 The troops.
Fourth. similar Information in regard 10
furnishing the troops with arms and ac'
'EoUIPMENT OF VOLUNTEERS.
rff-b which of the volunteers were
armed and equipped in the various State
camps and winch in the general camps.
sixth. upon whose ecommcnoallOn or
.,l6rnoenf me various general rendezvous
were selected, and The reasons Tor such
seventh-Fuu particulars relative 20 the
TRANSFORMATION of troops by sea, giving an
account of the provisions made for the
accommodation and care of the sick and
wounded.
Eichth-An account OF The quantity
quality and kind of food furnished the
troops. and in case that any Of them
failed OF being plenufu'y and seasonaoly
supplied state the reasons therefor.
Niuth-Ae to the proper tcntaee. beds,
linen. medicines. food and an other neccs-
sary equipment and supplies Tor ine use
of the hospital corps Of tine army II
there was amy lack of these things at amy
umc state ths reasons therefor.
THOSE ARMY SURGEONS.
Tenth-Nluher the medical stal was
emcisnt and sufficient at an times for
thc proper care oi the sick ana wounded
and If uot state tle reasons therefor
Elovtnth-Such information relative 90
fEa conditions and operations OF the ord-
.nce and engineering departments as
uHl bo 0f value 90 us in our investea-
N0na
Kyo have outlined briefly portion only
nf fhe Information that We trust you VIII
h. nI'p f0 give us. lt viii DE satisfactory
fa have 60 communicated 20 us IN writing,
or by tho chiefs OF ihe several Daf-a1s
In person. with the submission ot sucn
records confirming their statements as
they may be pleased hand us.
TO aid YOU in complying with thlS re-
quest there is submitted herewith a list
af srocial questions 90 which as FAR az T.
possible answers are desired.
Very Respectfully.
GRANVILLE N. DODGE,
ALGER INTERKJGATED.
To Secretary Alger the commits ION has
addressed six queries for his reply:
Information desired from the Secretary
Of War:
1-plan Of campaign proposed immedi-
ately after the declaration Of war; was
II intended 20 move at once 70 Havana.
or that the campaign should De post
poned until autumn?
2-When was the Santiago campaign de-
termined upon?
s-Why was Tampa selected as the base
Of operations;
4-Why were summer camps organized
al Fernandina. Jacksonville and Tampa
when was the Porto Rico campaign
determined upOn2
G-Why were the troops held on trans
ports for embarkation az Tampa and not
permitted 20 sail fer several days;
ALL COMPLAINTS WANTED.
The resolutions adopted by the COM
mission were as follows.
Resolved First-"That the Secretary OF
WAR the Adiutant General. the Quarter
master General, the Commissary General,
and the Surgeon General. be requested 70
transmit 10 this commission all complaints
that have been received by them since
April !, 1895, touching the conduct OF the
war.
2-Resolved Second-"That this commis-
sion invites and Is ready and Will receive