The record-union., 1898-09-28
The Investigation Commission Re-
SumeS Its LaborS.
Makes Public Documents Bearing Upon
Work to Be Undertaken.
Many Questions Which the Secre-
tary of War, the Medical, Sub
sistence and Ordnance Depart
ments and the Adjutant Gen
eral Are Called Upon to Make
Answer.

WASHINGTON, Sept 27.-The War
Investigating Commission resumed its
labor at 10 o'clock in the Lemon build
ing, and at the close of the corning
session gave out a number of docu-
ments bearing upon the work to be un-
dertaken. These comprise the letter of
Secretary Alger to the President re-
questing that the investigation be
made; a brief address to the public N
the shape of a resolution, a letter from
Chairman Dodge to the Secretary Of
War, inclosing list of inquiries to the
Secretary and to the heads of the va
rious divisions of the War Department,
calling for specific information bearing
upon the conduct of the war
With the letter to the Secretary of
war were inclosed questions Indicating
the character of information desired at
the hands Of the Surgeon general. the
Quartermaster General, the Subsistence
Department. the Ordnance Department
and the Adjutant General.
The letter of the Secretary of War to
the President asking for an investiga-
ton is as follows:
War Department, Washington, Sept.
8, 1898.
'Fo the President: I have the honor
to ask that a board, consisting of from
five to seven members of The most dis
tlnguished soldiers and civilians that
can be selected, be appointed by you,
With full power to investigate thor
oughly every bureau of the War De-
partment in connection with the mus
tering, clothing, supplying and arming g
of troops, transportation, ne letting of
contracts, and chartering vessels and
all expenditures of every kind. as well
as of orders issued by this department.
indeed. that everything connected
with the army be thoroughly investi-
gated for your information
r. A. ALGER, Secretary of War"
FOLLOWING is the letter 10 Secretary
Alger, outlining the scope of the work:
Office OF Commission appointed by
the President to investigate the con-
Duct OF the war with Spain, Lernon
building, Washington, Sept. ~ 1898
To the Secretary of War-Dear Sir:
Pursuant to authority conferred upon
us by the President, We have the hon
or to request that you direct the Ad-
Jutant General the Quartermast ter
General, the Commissary General, the
Surgeon General, the Chief of Ordnance
and the Chief of Engineers to furnish
US as soon as practicable information
as TO the conduct of their several de-
partments at the time of the declara-
tion of the war with Spain, and the
operation of those departments from
that time until the present. We de-
sire the information to include the fol-
lowing viz:
'First-The times and places of the
mobilization Of the regular and volun-
teer troops.
Second-The organization of these
troops into the various subdivisions of
the army, the personnel of the brigade,
division, corps and army commands
and of their staffs, whether appointed
from the permanent establishment
from the National Guard or from civil
life
''Third-The amount and kind Of gar
rison equipage and other supplies that
We're on hand at the beginning of the
war, the amounts subsequently pur-
chased when and where purchased,
when and where delivered to your de-
partment, and when and where act
ually delivered to the troops.
"Fourth-Similar information in re-
gard to furnishing the troops with
arms and accouterments.
"Fifth-Which of the volunteers
were armed and supplied in the various
State camps, and which in the general
camps.
"Sixth-Upon whose recommendation
or Judgment the various general rem
dezvouses were selected and the reasons
for Such selections
"Seventh-Full particulars relative to
the transportation of troops by sea,
giving account of the provision adopt
ed for the care of the sick ami
wounded
"Eighth-An account of the quantity,
quality and kind of food furnished the
troops, and in case that any of them
failed of being plentifully and season.
ably supplied, state the reasons there
for
"Ninth-As to the proper tentage.
beds, linen. medicines, food and other
necessary equipment and supplies for
the use Of the Hospital Corps of the
army. If there was any lack of these
things at any time, state the reasons
therefor.
'Tenth-Whether the medical staff
NdS eIlCltIl ana SulIlcltHl DIT all lililSo
for the proper care of the sick and
wounded, and, if not, state the reasons
therefor
'Eleventh-Such information relative
to the conditions and operations of the
Ordnance and Engineering Depart
ments as Will be of value to us in ou;
Investigations
we have outlined briefly a portion
only of the supplied information we
trust you will be able to give us. 1t
will be satisfactory to have it COM
municated to us in writing or by the
chiefs of the several bureaus in per-
son, with the submission of such rec
ordS confirming their statements as
they may be pleased to hand us.
ITO aid in complying with this re-
quest there is submitted herewith a
list of special questions, to which as
far as possible answers are desired.
Very respectfully,
GRANVILLE NJ. DODGE,
President
To Secretary Alger the commission