The times., 1898-09-28

statements as they may be pleased to
hand to us
..To aid you in complying with this
quest there is submitted herewith list
of special questions to which, as far as is
possible. answers are desired.
Very respectfully,
"GRENVILLE NJ. DODGE,
President
Six Pertinent Questions.
In addition to the following communi-
cation the Commissioners have addressed
these six pertinent inquiries to Secretary
Alger:
''1. Plan of campaign proposed immedi-
ately after the declaration of war: was 1t
intended TO move at once to Havana, or
that the campaign should be postponed
until the Autumn?
80 When was the Santiago campaign
determined upon?
'-3. Why was Tampa selected as the
base of operations?
~ Why were Summer camps organized
at Fernandina- Jacksonville and Tampa?
-. When was the Porto Rico campaign
determined upon?
&c. Why were the troops held on trans
ports after embarkation at Tampa and
not permitted to sail for several days?'
Resolutions Adopted.
Following are the resolutions adopted
by the commissioners:
Resolved. frst That the Secretary of War.
the adjutant general, the quartermaster general,
the commissary general, and the surgeon general
be requested 10 transmit 10 this commission all
complaints that have been received by them since
April /. 1895, touching the conduct of the war
Resolved. second, That this commission in
viteS, and is ready and VIII receive and con-
slider any complaints about the management OF
any of the various branches of the War Depart
meHt from any person or persons.
That respectfully request that such com
plants be made in writing. stating facts that
the party may know Of his knowledge.
plainly and in detail, giving of any officers
OF enlisted men who may be charged with mis-
conduct or incompetency. addressed to the secre-
tary of the commission at Washington, ID. Z.
Seventeen questions are addressed to
the medical department. as follows:
IL What was the organization of the
! medical department on April l, 1898? How
/ many officers, with their rank. how many
! hospital stewards and what was the size
of the hospital corps?
- How many ambulances and fitters
were available?
% An army of what size was the de-
! partment able to completely fit out with
medical officers. stewards and hospital
/ corps. and necessary surgical instruments
/ and supplies of every character?
( II Between April ! and August 81. 1885,
what steps were taken for fully supply
ing an army of 250.eo0 men with all nee
essary surgeons, stewards, hospital corps,
( ambulances, itters, surgical instruments
and medical supplies of all and every
character?
- How many general hospitals were
organized where located. how equipped
and managed number of patients and
nurnbsr of deaths in each case between
! April / and August 81, 1898?
-6. How many hospitals were established
at various camps, what were the arrange
ments for the care and comfort of the
sick and wounded, how many sick were
/ cared for at each camp hospital and how
many deaths occurred?
- What. If any, railroad ambulance
/ trains were established, where were they
| located and used?
IS. How many hospitaI ships were OBJ
tanned. how were they equipped, how
managed and what work did they per-
form? What arrangements were made
and how were the armies operating in
Cuba. Porto Rico and the Philippines
supplied with medical officers, medical
supplies and food for the sick and
wounded?
80 What number of surgeons of vol
unteers, hospital stewards, nurses, at
tendants, etc, were employed between
those in the service of the United States
OF April /, 1898?
10. Were all vessels used in transport
ing sick and wounded thoroughly in
spected by a medical officer before troops
were permitted to embark, and were they
fully supplied with surgeons, surgical in
struments, medical supplies of every
character, potable water and proper food
! for sick and convalescents?
I'll. Were the armies operating in Cuba
Porto Rico and the Philippines fully sup
| piled with efficient surgeons, stewards
| and hospital corps and with ambulances
! litters. surgical Instruments, medical sup
! plies of all kinds and proper food for the
/ sick and wounded?
~ Were the chief surgeons in the
/ various camps instructed to carefully
watch their sanitary condition: TO look
/ after their cleanliness; to demand the
/ proper supply of water, to test the water
as To its character, to look into the cook
ing arrangements, TO locate the sinks and
to see to their proper care?
'13. Why We're regimental hospitals in
camps abolished and division hospitals
substituted? Were the results satisfac-
tory?
III How were the surgeons employed in
the field, in camps and in general hospi-
animation required, and as a rule have
tn y proved efficient and faithful?
'15. How were the hospital stewards,
nurses, and attendants selected?
''l6. What. if any, complaints in writ
ing have been received by the surgeon
general in reference to the prompt COM
pliance with acquisitions, the lack of
proper medical attendance, the lack of
surgical instruments, the lack of proper
care, food and water for the sick and
wounded with armies in the field, or with
troops in camp or men in general hos
pitfalls and field hospitals, or on railroad
trains or transports at sea; in fact,
what. if any, complaints have been made
in writing in reference to the issuing of
proper supplies the performance of
any duty appertaining to the medical de-
partment of the army?
III. What funds were at the command
of the department on April l. and what
additional funds were available by Au-
gust 81, under general or special legisla-
| tion?"
Subsistence Department.
Eight questions are addressed to the
subsistence department, as follows:
list. What was the organization of the
/ subsistence department April l, 1885, the
number and rank of officers, and number
! of commissary sergeants?
I'D. What additions in number and
rank OF regular officers and what num-
! Der of volunteer officers were appointed
| in the subsistence department between
April and August 81?
I'D. On April l. 1898, an army of what
! size was the subsistence department pre-
1 pared TO fully supply with officers and
the necessary field rations, and of what
hot