The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1898-09-30
The PROBING BOARD
The War Investigation Commission
Gets Down to Business.
QUESTIONS FOR DEPARTHEET HEADS
The Searching InquIrIas Seat Cat Ter the
Specific Information Desired b. the
Commission Bearing Upon the
Coaduct OF she Wax.

Washington, Sept 2a-The war in
vestigating commission resumed its Ia
bors at ten o'clock yesterday in the
Lemon building. and at the close OF
the morning session gave out q nun
Der OF documents, outlining the work
to be undertaken. These comprise
the letters Of Secretary Aiger TO the
president. requesting that investiga-
ton be made, a brief address to the
public in the shape Of q resolution
a letter from Chairman Dodge 70
the secretary Of war, inclOsing a
list Of inquiries to the secretary
and to the heads Of the various divi-
sions Of the war department. With
the letter to the secretary Of war were
inclosed questions indicating the char
acter Of information desired at the
hands Of the surgeon general, the
Quartermaster general, the subsistence
department, the ordnance department
and the adjutant general
The resolutions adopted By the com
mission are as follows:
Resolved First-That the secretary o. war,
the adiutant general, the commissary general
and the surgeon general be requested 70 trans
nit 20 this commission all complaints that have
been received By them since April I, 1873
touching the conduct OF the Wal.
Resolved, SeOOnd-That this commission in
vites and is ready and wiz receive and consider
any complaints about the management Of any
Of the various branches Of the war department.
from any person or persons, that We respect
fully request that such complaints be made IN
writing, stating facts that the party may know
Of his own knowledge plainly and in detail.
giving names Of any officers or enlisted men
who may be charged with misCOnduct OF IN
competency, addressed TO the secretary OF the
commission at Washington
The letter Of Secretary Alger to the
president, asking for an investigation
Of the war department, has been made
public, as follows;
War Department, Washington, Sept $40
the President: ] have the honor 70 ask that
board. consisting OF from i've 20 seven mem
bers Of the most distinguished soldiers and
civilians that can. be selected be appointed BY
you, with fun power to investigate thoroughly
every bureau OF the war department In con-
nection with the mastering. clothing. supply
ing and arming Of troops, transports ton, the
letting OF contracts and chsrtering vessels
and ali expenditures Of every kind, as wen as
Of orders issued BY this epartment-indeeo,
that everything connected with the army be
thoroughly investigated for your information
R A ALGER, Secretary Of Wsr.
At the conclusion of the morning
session Of the war Investigating COM
mission the following letter to Secre-
I
work was given out:
Sir Pursuant to authority conferred upon
US by the president. We have the honor 70 re-
quest that you direct the sdJutaut general, the
0uartermaster general. the cOmmissary gen
eral the surgeon general, the chief Of ord
nance and the chief Of engineers 70 furnish rs
as soon as practicable information as 70 the
condition Of their several departments at the
time Of the declaration OF war with Spain ana
the operations Of those departments from that
e=- 81 81
We desire the information TO include the fol-
lowing, viz:
First-The times and places OF the mobiIiza-
tfon Of the regular and volunteer troops
Second-The organization Of these troops
into the various subdivisions Of the army, the
personnel Of the brigade, division. corps and
army commanders and Of their stans whether
appointed from the permanent estab ltshnents
from the national guard or from civil life
Third-The amount and kind Of camp and
garrison equipage and other supplies that were
on hand at the beginning Of the war, the
amount subsequently purchased when ana
where purchased. when ana where delivered 70
your department and when and where actually
issued 70 the troops
Fourth-Similar information in regard to
furnishing the troops with arms and accouter-
ments
Fifth-Which Of the volunteers we're armed
and equipped IN the various state camps and
which IN the general camps
Sfxth-Upon whose recommendation or i1dg-
lection and the reasons Tor such Selection
SeTeath-Fuu particulars relative to the
transportation Of troops BY sea, giving an &C
count OF the provisions made FOR the accommo-
dalton and care Of the sick and when wounded
Efghth-An account Of the quantity, quality
and kind Of food furnished the troops, and in
case that any Of them failed Of being plenti-
fully and seasonably supplied. state the reasons
therefor
Ninth-As 70 the proper tentage. beds. linen,
medicines. food and other necessary equipment
and supplies for the use Of the hospital corps
Of the army. II there was any lack OF these
things at any time, state the reasons therefor.
Teuth-Whether the medical star vas en-
cfent at ali times for the proper care Of the sick
ana wounded and II not state the reasons there
for.
EleYenth-Sueh information relative 70 me
conditions and operati0us Of the ordnance ard
engineering departments Gs viii be Of value TO
rs in our investigations
We outlined briefly portion only q the In
formation that We trust you viii be able 20
give Us It viii be satisfactory to have e CON-
municated 70 rs in writing. OF By the chiefs Of
the several bureaus IN person. with the sub
mission Of such records confirming their state
mentsas they may be pleased 70 hand 70 rs
To aid you IN complying with this request
there "a submitted herewith list Of special
questions to which, IS Tar IS possible. answers
are desired very respectfully,
GEEEvLLE n DODGE President
To Secretary Alger the commission
has addressed six queries for his reply:
L Plan Of campaign proposed Immediately
after the declaration o. war vas It Intended
20 move at once on HzTauas or that the cam
pafgn should be postponed until sut1mnl
2 When was the Santiago campaign deter
mined uponz
3 WY Was Tampa seleeted IS the 5sss Of
operatiOnsg r--.-
4 FhT we're summer camps orEanIzsd az
Fernaudina, Jacksonville and Tempaf
8 Whsa was the Porto Rico osmDsigh deter
mined upon7
G why we're the troops held IN transports
after enub1rlzstion - Tampa and net permitted
% sail f0r several days.
Seventeen Questions were addressed
to the medical department.. . 10 fiIs
Subsistence department. and six 70 the
Ordnancs department The adjutazss
general was also requested to supply
certain 5nformatfon. The commission
then adjourned.
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