Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-09-29
WAR INVESTIGATION BEGUN.
Governor Beavers Appearance az u
Mombor Occasions surprise.

Governor Beavers Appearance az u
MombOr Occasions Surprise.
WAsnINoToN, Sept. eO. The commits
sion TO investigate the conduct of the
War Department during the recent
conflict with Spain held its initial
meeting in the Office Of President Nc
Kinley at tho White House Saturday.
There were eight members present
and II was announced that the
services OF ninth man were counted
upon, though his name was not
made public. Tho eight who
were present were; Major General
Granville M. Dodge of Iowa, Colonel
j. A. Sexton Of Illinois, Captain d. p.
Howell OF Georgia, Major General j.
M. Wilson, chief engineers of tho
United States army, Charles DENLY Of
Indiana, late minister to China, ex-
Governor Urban A. Woodbury. Of Ver-
mont, Ex-Governor James A. Beaver OF
Pennsylvania and Major General II.
Med. McCook Of the army (retired).
The appearance Of Governor Beaver as
u member OF the commission was
surprise, rs his selection was not
known until he appeared at tho White
house at the beginning OF tho session.
The commission spent an hour and q
half with the President and then pro-
ceeded TO tho room assigned IL at the
war department for the purpose of Or
ganizing and beginning work.
The proceedings with the President
consisted in the main Of general ex-
change Of views as TO tho scope OF the
commissions investigation, In which
the President participated quite free
ly. He told the members that the Or
ganization OF tho commission had
beon undertaken at tho request OF
Secretary Alger and read a letter from
the secretary in which the request was
mnde. Tho President had put his own
views in writing, and read them be-
foro proceeding to q verbal discussion.
In this statement no said that COM
plants had been directed especially
ut the surgeon general, tho quarter
master general and the commits
sary generals departments Of the
army, and he suggested that
the conduct Of these departments
should receive especial consideration
at the hands of tho commission. To
this specific request he added that 1t
was his desire that the entire military
organization should, II 1t appeared
necessary, BIO made the subject of In
quiry, saying that he wished the COM
mission to go to tho bottom of the
subject in all cases and proceed with
its work without fear or favor.
Dr. Phineas s. Conner OF Cincinnati
was announced as the ninth member
Of the commission. He was selected
because Of his eminehce as physician.
After the close Of the conference at
the White house the President ex-
pressed his satisfaction with the per-
sonnet OF the commission, adding that
ho believed their investigation would
be thorough and their report fair and
impartial.
The commission organized by elect
ing Granville NJ Dodge chairman and
Richard Weightman secretary; Major
Mills Of the inspector generals Office
to be military recorder. The commits
sion adjourned about 1880 o'clock to
meet at 10 o'clock on Monday.
The session was devoted to method
OF procedure. 1t was said that prob
ably tho investigation so far as exam
nation OF witnesses would be open
but other proceedings would DO in ex
ecutive session.