New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-27
INVESTIGATORS AT WORK.
FIRST SESSION OF THE ARMY CONMIS.
SION OF INQUIRY.
COURSE OF PROCEDURE OUTLINED AND
LETTERS TO WAR DEPARTMENT OF
FICIALS DRAWN Up.


LETTERS TO WAR DEPARTMENT OF
FIcIALs DRAWN Up.
WASHINGTON Sept 26-The Commission ap-
ponted by the President to investigate the con-
duct OF the War Department held its first formal
session to-day. with all the members present
The meeting was in the room Of the Fortihca-
tions and Ordnance Board of the Army, but it
was found to be too small for the purpose, and
II was announced that future meetings would be
held in apartments secured in the Lemon Build
ing in New York-ave The Commission was IN
session only two hours. and an adjournment was
taken until 10 o'clock to- morrow
The proceedings were limited to outlining
general policy and formulating letters of in
ouiry. which will be made public tomorrow
The letters which have been decided upon are
70 he addressed TO the Secretary Of War the
Ouartermaster- General the Commisssry Gen
eral the Surgeon General and the Chief OF
Ordnance They will consist chiefly OF inquiries
intended 70 bring out all the facts that can re
secured relative to the organization OF the vol
unteer army. The officials will be asked to give
speci1c information in regard to each OF the oe-
partments in question. concerning the condition
Of the Army both at the beginning and the
close Of the war. For this purpose date IN
April has been selected for the beginning Of the
reports and another IN August for the close.
TO BRING OUT ALL THE FACTS.
The questions are so formulated as to call out
answers covering the organization OF camps, the
purchase of supplies and the making OF con-
tracts with transportation companies, and also
TO show the methods adopted for furnishing sup
plies and for protecting the health OF the SOL
diers An especial effort will be made to learn
the motives which governed the Department in
hay
charges that they were located as matler 'ol
favoritsm to railroad companies.
The Commission also considered several let
ters Of complaint from persons processing TO
have information bearing the subject Of the
Investigation. and decided TO address replies
10 the writers requesting them 10 put their
charges in specific shape. and informing them
Of the scope OF the inquiry. II the replies sho"
the writer's 10 be in possession or real lnlc:ma-
ton II IL intended 10 summon them hefore the
Commission when il is feasible 70 do so, or
otherwise to secure their afidavits When'
however. II become. evident that the accuse
tons are merely idle complaints. With NJ intor-
nation back Of them. the writer's will receive no
further attention.
The Commission also expects 10 extend its IN
ouiry before II closes It's work by summoning
before It the commanding officers Of the various
II TO the colonies Of regiments from which com
plants have ennanated They will be expected
10 give fun information to the pains they
NAV have taken or failed TO take concerning
the location of the troops and their general
welfare
II was decided 10 hold two sessions daily. one
from 10 a m 10 II 90 and the other from
2 to4 D. m
,-.-. DR. CONNER PRESENT
DR. Phineas Conner sat with the Commits
ZION to-day for the first time. He arrived from
his home in Cincinnati early in the day, and
rallied on the President for a brief interview be
fore Joining his colleagues at the War Depart
rent The President expressed his appreciation
Of the doctors acceptance Of the appointment
and outlined his wishes In regard TO the inresti-
estion DR.. Conner found II impossible 10 re-
main with tn. eornsnissscrr fer the. present. and
occurred a leave Of absence for tvo or three days
In order 70 return Cincinnati and put his
Affairs in shape 10 be absent as long as the work
BE- Of investigation may require
In DR. Conner the Commission secures the
services OF q man who is not only eminent In his
profession but is also familiar with The CON
;uct Of the medical department Of the Army, In
which he served for four years. He was born in
West Chester Penn. on August %. 1899. and
went 10 Cincinnati In 1874 He was graduated
from Dartmouth College In 1853 Or. Conner
,erved in the Army from 1862 to 1856 being
assistant surgeon and hrevetrnajor. He re-
signed on August l. 1856. and since then has
been in practice in Cincinnati He has been
.or many years professor Of surgery In the
Medical College Of Ohio and in Dartmouth Medl-
cal College