The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-09-30
It Gives Out a Number Of Docu'
ments Outlining the Work to-
Be Undertaken.
ALGER'S LETTER TO The PRESIDENT.
The Secretary of War Asks That Every
Bureau of His De 'artment Be Thor
oughly Investigated-The Queries Adj
dressed to- Secretary Alger by the Com
mfssion-The Resolutions Adopted.

Washington, sept. SN-1ne war III
eestigating commission resumed its Ia
bors at ten o'clock to-day in the
Lemon building, and at the close OF
the morning session gave out q num-
Der of documents, outlining the work
to be undertaken. These comprise
the letters of Secretary Alger to the
president. requesting that investiga.
ton be made, a brief address to the
public in the shape of a resolution,
a letter from Chairman Dodge to
the secretary of war, inclosing
list of inquiries to the secretary
anef to the heads of the various divi-
sfons 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
quarternaster general, the subsistence
department, the ordnance department
and the a0jutant general
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 to ask that
board, consisting of from five to seven mem
bers Of the most distinguished soldiers and
civilians that can be selected be appointed by
YOU with full power to investigate thoroughly
every bMreau of the war department In con-
nection with the mastering clothing. supply
ing and armin2 of troops, transportation, the
letting Of contracts and chartering vessels
and all expenditures of every kind, as we'll as
OF orders issued by this department-indeed,
that everything connected with the army be
thoroughly investigated for your information
r A. ALGER Secretary Of War;
At the conclusion of the morning
session of the war investigating COM
mission the following letter to Secre-
tary Alger outlining the scope of their
work was given out:
Sir: Pursuant to authority conferred upon
us by the president, we have the honor to re-
quest shat you direct the adjutant general the
quartermaster general the commisSary gen.
eral, the surgeon general the chief OF ord
nance and the chief Of engineers to furnish us
as soon as practicable information as to the
condition of their several departments at the
time OF the declaration of war with Spain and
Interpretations Of those departments from that
time until the present.
We desire the Information 90 include the fol-
lowing. viz
ton 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
appointed from the permanent establishment
fromahe national guard orfroIn civil life.
Third-Yhe amount and kind OF camp and
garrison eqdipage and other supplies that were
on hand at the beginning of the war, the
amount subsequently purchased, when and
where purchased when and where delivered to
your department and when and where actually
issued to the troops
Fourth-Sithlar information in regard to
furnishing the troops with arms and accouter-
ments.
Fifth--Which of the volunteers were armed
and equipped in the various state camps and
which in the general camps
Sixth-Upon whose recommendation or judg
ment the various general rendezvous were Sc
lection and the reasons for such selection.
SeveAth-Full particulars relative to the
transportation of troopS by sea, giving an
count of the provisions made for the accommo-
dation and care of the sick and when wounded
Eighth-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 to 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 ut any time, state the reasons therefor.
Tenth-Whether the medical stag was eff
cient at all times for the proper care OF the sick
and wounded and if not state the reasons there
for. o
Eleveuth-Such Information relative to the
conditions and operations of the ordnance and
engineering departments as will beyof value to
us in our Investigations
We outlined briefly portion only of the in
formation that we trust you will be able to
give US 1t will be satisfactory to have it COM
municated to US in writing. or by the chiefs of
the several bureaus in person, with the sub
mission of such records confirming their state
ments as they may be pleased to hand to US
To aid you In complying with this request
there is submitted Herewith q list of special
questions to which, as far as possible. answers
are desired. Very respectfully.
GRENvILLE NJ DODGE President
To Secretary Alger the commission
has addressed six queries for his neply:
l. Plan Of campaign proposed Immediately
after the declarations OF war: was It intended
to move at once on Havana, or that the cam
paign should be postponed until autumn?
When was the Santiago campaign deter
mined upon?
Why was Tampa selected as the base OF
operations?
Why were suufmero camps organised at
Fernandina, Jacksonville aud Tampa:
When was the Porto Rico campaign deter
mined upon.
6 Why were the troops held in transports
after embarkation at Tampa and not permitted
to sail for several days?
VIII Start Wednesday Morning.
New York, Sept aS-The battleships
Oregon. Capt A. S. Barker, and Iowa.
Capt Silas Ferry, received orders a.
tho nauv ward THE vnnrn;~- -,