Evening star., 1898-09-28
ONLY FOUR PRESENT
Shiny Attended Session of the In
vestigating Commission.
FULL MEETING EXPECTED BY MONDAY
Gen. Wilson's Statement of Work
of the Engineers.
RECEPTION OF COMPLAINTS

The commission to investigate the War
Department in it's conduct of the war with
Spain resumed its session al 10 o'clock this
morning in the Lemon building. There
were only four members of the commission
present. they being Col. DENLY. vice presi-
dent. who sits as chairman In the absence
of Gen. Dodge. Gen. Wilson. Capt Howell
and ex-Gov. Woodbury.. Gen. Dodge had
gone to New York for a couple of days
and other members had returned to their
homes to look after their private affairs
before permanently settling down to the
business of the commission. 1t is expected
that every member of the commission will
be present Monday.
Work of the Engineer Department.
The absence of several members will not
affect the work of the investigation, which
went forward today as usual Gen Wilson
presented a statement concerning the con-
dition of fortifications. torpedo obstruc-
tions. &c. on April l. together with an ac-
count of what the engineer department had
done since that date in connection with the
war. The statement went into every detail
of the work of the corps of engineers un-
der Gen Wilson. and Gen. Wilson said he
was perfectly satisfied with the showing
his corps had made. The statement will
not he made public by the commission un-
I'll after all the members have seen it.
Complaints Must BE Written.
Several letters were read from persons
In various parts Of the country. stating
that they knew Of Instances of abuses in
the military service during the war, and
expressing their Willingness to give the
commission TIE benefit of their informa-
uon. one man wrote that he was author
lied to represent the volunteers from the
of MaIu in To Ill
correspondents the following reply has
been sent:
Dear Sir: Referring to your communica-
tioE uf the commission requests
that. upon receip; of this. you will forward
written statement, giving in as specific
and complete a form as may be practicable
all facts. hased upon your own persona! ex-
perienc- and knowledge. that Will aid the
Tending investigation.
This statement will be Cor the informa-
tiOn Cf the commission only
1t is tEe expectation of the committee
that very large part of this volunteered
Information will Toe received by them in the
form Of signed statements. and in cases
that seem to warrant further investigation
the witnesses can be sent for. 1t is feared
that # a free opportunity is given every
one WEo wants to say something to the
commission to come to Washington there
would lie danger of having many people
take advantage Of such an opportunity to
MAKE trip TO the capital where they
would go to a first-class hotel for days or
weeks II tbtE cOuIl not De neGrQ at once,
all al the expense Of the government.
Experience has shown that such cases are
very likely to occur when an opportunity
Is freely offered to people to come on and
testify whenever they say they have in
formation tC give.
commissioners to Travel.
Another plan that is likely to be adopted
b. the commission to avoid an excessive
amount Of travelling expenses on the part
Of witnesses contemplates having the COM
mission or committees of its members sit
In different parts of the country. where
witnesses can be called before them to be
examined 1t is likely that every one of
the camps occupied by troops during the
va win be visited by the commission, so
that these camps can be inspected and
witnesses located in them can readily give
their testimony.
II Is not improbable that the commission
viii 90 to Cuba before their work is over
50 that they will be enabled to see lust
what obstacles We're encountered at Sibo-
ney and Santiago. both in the handling of
troops and in the transportation of sup
plies
These matters Were talked over today by
the members Of the commission but no
formal plan was adopted and formal ac-
ton viii not be taken until the full COM
mission meets on Monday.
The commission resumed its session short
ly after O'Clock this afternoon continuing
the discussion Of its plans.