Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-09-30
r. A. ALGER. Secretary Of War"
AIuer,s Aid Reuuested.


At the conclusion of the mornings
session Of the war investigating com
mission, the following letter to Score
tary Alger, outlining the scope u their
work, was given out:
"offlce Of Commission Appointed by the
President to Investigate the Conduct Of the
War Department in the War with Spain
Lemon Building, Washington, D. c., Sept
n, 1898: To the Secretary Of War-Sir:
Pursuant to authority conferred upon us
by the president, we have the honor to re-
quest that You direet the adjutant general.
sary au general. the Surgeon general,
the chief of ordnance and the chief Of -el-
gineers 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 the OPP
erations OF those departments from that
time until the present
1--WE desire the informatiop tn include the
following, viz:
"First3The times and places of the mob
tlization of the regular and volunteer
troops.
SECOND ~ The organization Of thaEe
troops into the various subdivisions Of the
army. the personnel of the brigade, divt-
sion, corps and army cemnaHders, and of
their STATS, whether appointed from the
permanent establishment, from the ma
tional guard or from civil life.
.'Third-The amount and kind of camp
and garrison equipage and supplies that
were on hand at the beginning of the war,
the amount subsequently purchased. when
and where purchased, when and where de-
lvered to your department, and when and
where actually issued to the troops.
"Fourth-Similar information in regard to
furnishing the troops with arms and ac-
coutrements.
tFifth-Which of the volunteers were
armed and equipped in the various state
camps and which In the general camps
"sixth-Upon whose Recommendation or
Judgment the various general rendezvogp
were selected, and the reasons for such Sc
lection.
"Seventh-Full particulars relative to the
transportation of troops by sea, giving an
account of the provisions made for the
care of the sick and wounded.
"Eighth-An account of the quantity, quail
ity and kind OF food furnished the troops.
and in case that any Of them failed of being
plentifully and seasonably supplied. state
the reasons therefor.
''Ninth-As to the proper tentage, beds.
linen, medicines, food and all other
necessary equipment and supplies for the
use Of the hospital corps of the army. II
there was any lack of these things at any
time, state the reasons therefor.
'Tenth-Whether the medical staff was
efficient and sufficient ct all times for the
proper care of the sick and wounded, and
II not, state the reasons therefor.
''Eleventh-Such information relative to
the conditions and operations of the ord
nance and engineering department as will
be of value to us In our Investigations.
1--WE have outlined briefly only a portion
of the information that we trust you will
be able to give u.s. 1t will be satisfactory
to have 1t communicated to us in writing
or by the chiefs of the several bureaus in
person, with the submission of such rec
ords confirming their statements as thcS
may be pleased to hand to us.
ITO aid you in complying with this re-
quest there is submitted herewith a list Of
special questions to which as far as is pos
sible answers are desired.
Very respectfully,
GRANVILLE NJ. DODGE. President"
SIX Queries.
To Secretary Alger the commission
has addressed six queries for his reply:
Information Desired from Secretary of
Wars-l. Plan of campaign proposed i'm
mediateig after the declaration of war;
was 1t intended ID move at once on Havana,
or that the campaign ehould be postponed
until the autumn 0 ffSt . II