Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-25
Against the War Department..

duct Of the War Department during the
recent conflict with Spain held its ini-
tal meeting in the Office of President
Mckinley at the White House to-day.
There were eight members present. and
N was announced that the services of a
ninth man were counted upon. though
hts name had not been made public. The
eight who were present were Major-Gene-
ral Grenville Nj. Dodge. OF Iowa: Colonel
d. A. Sexton, Of illinois,; Captain T. p.
Howell. Of Georgia; Major-General J. NJ.
wilson. Chief Of Engineers of the United
States army; Hon. Charles DENLY. of
Indiana late Minister 70 China; ex-Gov-
ernor Urban a. Woodbury. Of Vermont;
Ex-Governor James A. Beaver. of Penn
sylvania. and Major General A. ID. Nc
Cook. Of the army, retired.
The commission spent an hour and
half with the President, and then pro-
ceeded to the room assigned it at the
War Department, for the purpose of or
ganizmg and beginning work.
THE PRESIDENTS VIEWS.
The proceedings with the President con-
OF views as TO the scope of the commits
sion's investigation, in which the Presi-
dent participated quite freely He told
the members that the organization Of
the commission had been undertaken at
the request of the Secretary Of War and
read a letter from Secretary Alger in
which he made the request. The Presi-
d xrfax In, frafg
and read them before proceeding to n YER
bal discussion. In this statement he
said that complaints had been directed
especially at the Surgeon Generals. the
artermaster-Generars. and the Com
m.ssarg Generals departments Of the
army and he suggested that the conduct
of these departments should receive es-
pe.u consideration at the hands of the
commission. To this specific request he
added that it was his desire that the en-
tire military organization should, If ii
appeared necessary, be made the subject
Of inquiry, saying that he wished the
commission to 80 TO the bottom Of the
subject in al cases, and proceed with its
work without fear or favor.
ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES.
"If' he said, in the informal discussion
that occurred, 'the commission should
have difficulty in securing the attendance
OF witnesses, or in obtaining access 10
papers thought to be essential TO the
prosecution Of its labOrs, 1 hope the mat
ter Will be brought to my attention, when
] Will do all In my power TO overcome the
difficulty. / want the commission to have
a clear field. and l will do all that it is
possible for me 10 do to see that IL has.
The suggestion was also made 10 the
commission that the first effort should
Dc 20 secure general information in rega--
20 the organization Of the army
and the time in which the work was per-
formed.
The President suggested the name Ct
Major Miles, of the army, for the posi-
ton of recorder of the commission.
CHARGES IN THE NEWSPAPERS.
Secretary Ayers request, as made II
the letter read by the President, was fol
complete inquiry into the conduct OF
the war, especially on the lines Of the
charges published in the newspapers lie
said these charges had assumed sucl
magnitude that he did not feel satisfied
TO have the department rest under them
and that he desired an investigation by
men eminent i'm military and civil life.
Dr. Phineas S. Connor, of Cincinnati
was announced as the ninth member o
the commission He was not present
to-dav's session, but no doubt was eX
pressed that he would serve He was
selected because of his eminence as
pbvsician. and the President has beer
anxious from the beginning to secure III
services of a medical man. because th'
medical department of the army is mucl
involved i'm the charges that have beel
made.
THE PRESIDENT SATISFIED.
After the close Of the conference at IN
White House, the President expressed M
sat.sfactlon with the personnel OF IN
commission. adding that he believed tnei
inveetieation would be thorough ana thei
report fair and impartial.
The commission organized by electln
Grcnvule M. Dodge chairman. ana hlch
ard Welghtman. Of washington, secre
tary: Major Miles, OF the lnspector-Geh
eraPs office. 10 be military recorder.
The commission adjourned ABOUT 10
o'clock, 10 meet at 10 o'clock on Mol,uas
The session was devoted TO methou
o. procedure. nothing definite penn
reached. ,..,
II was said that probably the invest,
cation. so far as the examination ol w
nesses IS concerned would be OPEN ou
that the other proceedings wouid DC
executive session.
DIR. CONNOR ACCEPTS
CINCINNATI, O.. September I'D,
Pnineas S COnnor, Of this city prom
nent physician and surgeon, who serve
with distinction in the civil war, mas ~o
cepted the invitation OF the Presiaehl
D. . ,,.,,,yer ~ the commission 10 lnVes