The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-09-28
TIE ARMY INVESTIGATION



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Secretary OF mar sigcr,t Lsttcr dsking Jor
the Investigation Made Public
Washington. Sept 27-The letter OF
Secretary Alger to the President. ask
ing for an investigation Of the war de-
partment has been made public as fol-
lows:
war department Washington. Sept
s. 1898.
"To the President
Il have the honor to ask that a
board. consisting Of from FIVE to seven
members OF the most distinguished
soldiers aud civilians that can be se-
lected. be appointed by you with fu.
power to investigate thoroughly. every
lreau Of the war department. in con-
nection with the mastering. clothne
supplying and arming Of troops. trans
portation, the letting Of contracts and
chartering vessels. and all expenditnr-
es Of every kind. as well as orders is
sued by this department, indeed. that
everything connected with the army
be thoroughly investg tied for your
Information.
Signed: II. A. ALGER,
Secretary Of War"
SECRETARY ALGER NOTIFIED.
At the conclusion of the morning
session OF the war investigating com
mission. the following letter to Sec
retary Alger, outlining the scope Of
their work was given out.
"Offiee of Commission Appointed by
the president to investigate the con-
duct Of the war department in tho
War with Spain. Lemon Building
Washington. d. c. Sept, 27,1S9s
ITO the Secretary OF War:
"Sir-Pursuant TO authority confer
red upon us by the president. we have
the honor TO request that you direct
the adJutant general, the quartermas-
tel central, the commissary general
the surgeon general. the chief or ord
nance ana the chief 81 enqiu "a
furnish us as soon 1e urac....n.. IN.
formation Gs 10 the condition ot tneii
several departments st III. time OF n,
declaration II war with Spain snd ,h
operations Of these department from
that time until the present
we desire the information 90 .n-
olude the following. viz:
First The time ana places of n,
mobilization or the regular and .Olnn.
Ieer troops.
Second The organization of tines.
troops INTO the variouq sub division. of
the army. the personnel ot the brigade
divisions, corps and army c,mmand-
ers, and of their etaffs whether APP
pointed from the permanent estab-
lishment, from the national guard Oh
from civil life.
"fhird-The amount and kind OF
camp ana garrison equipage and othei
supplies that We're on hand at the be
ginning or the war, the amount subse.
quently purchased. when and where
purchased, when and where delivered
to your department, and when anC
where actually issued to the troops.
"Fourth-Similar information in re.
gard TO furnishing the troops viii
arms and accoutrements
"Fifth-Which of the volunteer,
were armed and equipred In the vari
Gus state camps and which In the gen
eral camps.
"Sixth-Upon whose recommends,
tion or judgment the various genera
sons for such selection
'Seventh-Full particulars relativ,
To the transportation Of troops by sea
giving an account of the provision
made for the accommodation and car
ofw the sick and wounded
"Elghth-An account OF the quantity
quality and kind Of food furnished tn,
troops, and in case that any of then
failed OF being plentfully and season
ably supplied state the reasons there
for.
"Nlnth--As to the proper tentage
beds, linen, medicines food and othe
necessary equipment ana supplies 70
the use OF the hospital corps OF the ar
my IL there was any lack OF thes
things at any time, state the reason
therefor.
''Tenth--Whether the medical stat
was efficient and sufficient at all time
for the proper care of the sick an
wounded, ana IL not, state the reason
therefor.
"Eleventn--Such information relatiy
to the conditions and operations Of IA
ordnance and engineering department
as viii be OF value to as in our investi
cations.
I'VE have outlined briefly a porto
only OF the Information desired"
"Twelve-What was the capacity c
each vessel. Was il properly arrange
for the comfort OF the troops SO far O
possible Was there a full supply ,
water for use OF troops arranged in eN
cry case and was each and every ves
sci carefully inspected by an office
OF general department and pronouI
ced satisfactory before troops WEI
permitted TO esmbark.
'Thirteen-What arrangements wei