The Red Cloud chief., 1898-09-30
INVESTIGATORS MEET
M'KINLEY READS A TATE
MENT TO COMMISSION.


@.S ~ pstg
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25.-Thc commits
sion to investigate the conduct OF the
War Department during the recent
conflict with Spain held its initial
meeting In the Office Of President Nc
Kinley at the White House to-day.
There were eight members present,
and IL was announced that the
services OF q ninth man we're counted
upon, though his name was not
made public. The eight who
were present were: Major General
Granville NJ. Dodge Of Iowa, Colonel
j. A. Sexton of Illinois, Captain +. =.
Howell OF Georgia, Major General j.
NJ. Wilson, chief engineers Of the
United States army, Charles DENLY Of
Indiana, late minister to China, ex-
Governor Urban A. Woodbury. of YER
mont, Ex-Governor James A. Beaver OF
Pennsylvania and Major General II.
Med. McCook OF the army (retired).
The appearance Of Governor Beaver rs
a member Of the commission was n
surprise, as his selection was not
known until he appeared at the White
house Mt the beginning Of the session.
The commission spent an hour and a
half with the President and then pro-
ceedcd to the room assigned it al the
war department for the purpose of or.
ganizing and beginning work.
The proceedings with the President
consisted In the main Of a general cx-
change OF views al to the scope OF the
commissions investigation, in which
the President participated quite free
ly. He told tho members that the or
ganization of the commission had
been undertaken at the request of
Secretary Algcr and read a letter from
the secretary in which the request was
made. The President had put his own
views in writing, and read them be-
fore proceeding to a verbal discussion.
In this statement he said that com.
plants had been directed especially
at tho surgeon general, the quarter
master general and the commits
sary generals departments Of the
army, and he suggested that
the conduct Of these departments
should receive especial consideration
at the hands of the commission. To
this specific request no added that Il
was his desire that the entire military
organization should, IL It appeared
necessary, be made the subject OF in
quiry. saying that he wished the COM
mission to 60 to the bottom Of the
subject In all cases and proceed with
Its work without fear or favor.
III" he said, in the informal dis.
cussion that occurred, ''the commits.
sion should have difficulty in securing
the attendance of witnesses or in OBJ
tanning access to papers thought to be
essential to the prosecution of its la.
bors, / hope the matter will be brought
to my attention, when l will do all in
my power to overcome the difficulty.
! want the commission to have a clear
field and j will do all that it is posi-.
BILE for me to do to see that 1t has"
The suggestion was also made to the
commission that the first effort should
be to secure general information In
regard to the organization of the army
and the time in which the work was
performed.
The President offered the name o,
Major Mills Of the army for the posi-
ton Of secretary Of the commission.
Secretary Ayers request as made In
the letter read by the President wa.
for a complete inquiry into the con,
duct OF the war, especially on the line,
Of the charges published In the news
papers. He said these charges had AS
sumed such magnitude that he did no,
feel satisfied to have tho Department,
rest under them, and that he desired
an investigation by men eminent il
military and civil life.
DR.. Phineas 8. Conner Of Cincinnati
was announced as the ninth membe,
Of the commission. He was selected
because Of his eminence as . physician
After the close of the conference al
the White house the President cx
pressed his satisfaction with the per
sonnet OF tho commission, adding that
no believed their investigation would
DO thorough and their report fair ant
impartial.
Tho commission organized by elect,
Ing Granville NJ. Dodge chaif man ant
Richard Weightman secretary; Maio,
Mills Of the inspector generals ofic,
to be military recorder. The commits
sion adjourned about 1870 o'clock 1,
meet at 10 o'clock on Monday.
The session was devoted to method
Of procedure. IL was said that prob
ably the investigation so far as exam
ination OF witnesses would be open
but ether proceedings would be in ex
ecutivc session.