Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-09-27
Investigation is begun.
Commission to Probe Conduct of
War Department During Recent
War Holds First Meeting.
IT is COMPOSED OF NINE MEMBERS

DR.. Phineas S. Conner. of Cincinnati,
a the Last Man ChOsen-Appearance
of Ex-Gov. Beaver, of Pennsyl-
yania, on the Commission, Comes
in the Way of n Surprise.
Washington, Sept. 26.-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 the white house Saturday.
There were eight members present
and it was announced that the serv-
ices of ninth man were counted upon,
though his name was not made publlc.
The eight who were present were:
Mai. Gen. Granville NJ. Dodge, OF
Iowa; Col. j. A. Sexton, of Illinois;
Capt. E. P. Howell, of Georgia; Maj
Gen. j. M. Wilson, chief of engineers OF
the United States army; Hon. Charles
DENLY, of Indiana late minister to
China; ex-Gov. Urban A. Woodbury.,
of Vermont; eX-Gov. James A. Beaver,
of Pennsylvania, and Maj. Gen. II. Med.
Cook, of the army (retired).
The appearance of ex-Gov, Beaver as
a member of the commission was
surprise, as his selection was not
known until he appeared at the white
house at the beginning of the session.
Alger Requests the Investigation.
The commission spent an hour and
half with the president and then pro-
!ceeded to the room assigned 1t at the
war department for the purpose OF
organizing and beginning work.
The proceedings with the president
consisted in the main of a general ex-
change of views as to the scope of the
commissions investiga ton, in which
the president participated quite free
~. He told the members that the
organization of the commission had
been undertaken at the request of
Secretary Alger, and read letter
from the secretary, in which he made
the request. The president had put
his own views in writing and read
them before proceeding to a verbal
discussion, In this statement he said
that complaints had been directed
especially at the surgeon generals, the
quartermaster generals and the COM
missary generals departments of the
army, and he suggested that the CON
duct of these departments should re-
ceive especial consideration at the
hands of the commission. To this spe-
.ciflc request he added that 1t was his
desire that the entire military or
ganization should, if it appeared neces-
sary, be made the subject of inquiry,
saying that he wished the committee
to go to the bottom of the subject in
all cases and proceed with Its work
without fear or favor.
VIII Lend His Aid.
eff" he said in the informal discussion
that occurred, f'the commission should
have difficulty in securing the attendance
OF witnesses or in obtaining access to pa
pers thought to be essential to the prose-
pution Of Its labors, hope the matter will
be brought to my attention, when I will
do all In my power to overcome the diff
GUILTY. want the commission to have a
clear field, and I will do all that it is pos
eib1e for me to do to see that 1t has"
The suggestion was also made to
the commission that the first effort
should be to secure general informa,
ton in regard to the organization o!
the army, and the time in which the
work was performed.
Mills for Secretary.
The president offered the name o:
Maj. Mills, of the army, for the posi-
ton Of secretary of the commission.
Secretary Ayers request, as mad
In the letter read by the president, wa
for complete inquiry into the conduc
Of the war, especially on the line
Of the charges published in the news
papers. He said these charges hat
assumed such magnitude that he dit
not feel satisfied to have the depart
ment rest under them, and that he de
sired an investigation by men emf
nent in military and civil life.
The Ninth Member Chosen.
DR.. Phineas s. Conner, of Cincin
natl, was announced as the ninth men
Der of the commission. He was no
present at Saturdays session, but n
doubt was expressed that he woul
serve. He was selected because of hi
eminence as a physician. The pres
dent has been very anxious from tn
beginning to secure the services of
medical man, because the medical d.
partment of the army is much involve
IN the charges that have been made
After the close of the conference a
the white house the president e1
pressed his satisfaction with the pei
sonnel of the commission, adding tha
he believed their investigation woul
be thorough and their report fair an
impartial.
The commission organized by cleo
ing Granville M. Dodge chairman ar
Richard Weightman secretary. Ma
Mills, of the inspector generals offic
Is to be military recorder. The cor
mission adjourned about 1880 to me
at ten o'clock on Monday.
The session was devoted to methc
of procedure, nothing definite beil
reached. 1t was said that probab
the investigation SO far as eXamin
ton of witnesses would be open, b,
other proceedings in executive sc
sion.
Brings Gold and Miners.
Seattle, Wash, Sept. 26-The stea
schooner Samoa has arrived here fro
st. Michael, Alaska, with SO Klondi
ers and gold dust estimated at $4,000
Nominated for Congress.
on 7 T 4.