The times., 1898-10-14
CREDIT MOBILIER DODGE
His Whitewash Syndicate
Likely to Be 0bstructed.
THE CHAIRMAN CRITICISED
Other Members of the Commission
Threaten to Break Over the Traces
ana Make nm Attempt to Get Mt
the Truth-Ex-parte Proceedings
May Soon Cease.

There are some encouraging signs of an
early break or division among the men,
bers of the Alger Relief Commission, and
| that the President may be called upon TO
| fill number of vacancies on the COM
mission If the so-called investigation is
continued on the lines laid down by Gen.
Credit Mobilier Dodge, the chairman.
There are known to be, at least two, and
perhaps three. members of the commits
sion who are honest and sincere in their
efforts to probe the rottenness in the War
Department 10 the bottom and expose any
rascality wherever it may be found to ex-
list. They have been chafing under the
restrictions imposed upon them by Gen.
Dodge and it is only question of time
when they will feel justified in speaking
their minds very bluntly.
In speaking about the matter yesterday
commissioner. who wishes his name
withheld for the present, said:
u think that there are several men,
bers of the Commission who are
honestly endeavoring to get at tho
truth in this investigation and are
not trying to shield Alger or anyone.
But l am free TO say that it looks to
me very much as If Gen. Dodge, our
chairman, Col. Sexton and one or two
other members of the Commission were
doing their level best to prevent any
thing coming out that would reflect on
Secretary Alger or the War Department
/ have seen unmistakable signs that
such was the case. | believe that in
the end the Commission will get at the
bottom of things; l do not see how the
truth can be suppressed altogether. but
the facts are not likely to be developed
until after election. The chairman, as
you will readily understand, has a great
deal of power He can direct the inves-
tigation along lines that are not pro-
ductive of any real information, and yet
do it in such a way as to leave no peg
to hang "A direct accusation on. Gen.
Dodge is a postmaster in the art of
steering clear of breakers"
Continuing, this Commissioner said
that undoubtedly many of the COM
plants made against the War Depart
ment were found upon investigation, To
be without foundation. Many reckless
statements had been made upon mere
hearsay evidence, which, of course. was
no evidence at all.
For instance" he added, take the
case of DR.. Hamlin, of this city, who
preached a sermon a few Sundays ago
attacking the War Department severely.
We wrote him letter requesting him If
he had any information of his own
knowledge in his possession to please
come forward and testify. He replied
that he had no personal knowledge of
any mismanagement by the War De-
partment; that his sermon had been
based upon what he had heard and read
in the newspapers. So it would have
done no good to have summoned DR..
Hamlin TO appear before the Commits
sion"
DO YOU think that it will be wise to
wait until after election before you make
a move to call Gen. Dodge dOwn?' the
Commissioner was asked.
ut will depend a little on circum-
stances The majority of the newspapers
have got on to what is going on and have
a pretty good idea of the real state of
the case. so not many people are really
being deceived, and it may be just as
well TO let things go on as they have been
for time at least"
'The idea is to give the Alger apologists
more rope?"
The Commissioner smiled. Perhaps"
he said.
And 1t is Just possible" the Commits
sioner added, that there may be some
developments tomorrow that will change
the aspect OF things materially. Major
Seaman will be here, and If his testi-
mony is anything Ike as strong as the
published interview with him, we are
bound to have a lively session. If there
should be an effort made on the part of
Gen. Dodge to suppress Major Seaman l
think that you will hear of a row of some
magnitude right in the commission it
self.
''I eft lis wait and see"