The times., 1898-09-29
Uneyentful Session of the War
Investigators.
MORE QUESTIONS ASKED
Gen. Wilson Presents the Report of
His Own Department., Which
Places Him in Peculiar Position
a Circular Letter Prepared i'm
vate Persons.

peculiar position of a person who is in
vestfgating his own department Gen
Wilson gave to his colleagues on the COM
mission the fullest details in the posses
sion of his office In regard to the condi-
ton of fortifications and harbor defenses
on April ! last, and then told what the
engineer corps had done since that time
TO defend the country against the enemy.
The statement will not be made public at
present.
Only four members of the commission
were present at the meeting yesterday.
These were Hon. Charles DENLY, who
acted as chairman; Gen. Wilson, Capt.
Howell and Hon. Urban A. Woodbury..
The five other members had gone to
their homes to transact personal business,
and some of them will not return until
next week.
A Circular Letter.
After the statement of Gen. Wilson had
been presented, several letters were read
which had been received from various pri-
vate persons who offered to give testimony
pertinent to the pending inquiry The fol-
lowing circular letter will be sent by the
commission to such persons.
Dear Sir: Referring TO your communication
OF --, the commission requests that, upon re-
celpt OF this you will forward a written state
ment, giving in as specific and complete a form
as may be practicable all facts, based upon your
own personal experience and knowledge, that will
aid the pending Investigation.
This statement will lie for the information OF
the commission only.
This formal statement was made by the
commission yesterday afternoon:
The members of the commission TO in
vestigate the conduct of the war have
each received numerous requests from
many persons to ask the War Department
Tor promotions, change of camps and
many other favors. The commissioners
have unanimously decided that # would
be improper for them, under the circum-
stances, TO make such requests.
1t has not yet been definitely decided
that the commissioners shall visit the
several army camps, but there is still a
probability that such action will be taken.
1t is possible that the commission will
also go to Cuba
More Pertinent Questions.
In addition to the inquiries addressed
to the heads of several War Department
bureaus Tuesday the following questions
have been addressed to Quartermaster
General Ludington:
!. Upon the declaration Of war. was the
organization and were ahe regulations of
the Department OF such a character as to
admit of the prompt equipment and move
ment of troops?
= How many officers belonged TO the
department when war was declared and
how many with their rank) have been
appointed in the volunteer service since
that time?
3. For an army of what size was the de-
partment prepared to fully supply all nee
essary clothing, camp and garrison equip
age on April l, 1898?
4. Was the clothing on hand and ready
for issue to troops and that previously
Issued of a character suitable for use in
a tropical climate?
8. What amount of tentage was availa-
BILE and were the troops sent from garri-
| son life to the field at once furnished with
| necessary tentage and other auartermas-
| ter supplies necessary for use in camp
! life?
! 6. What steps were taken for fully sup
plying an army of 250,000 men with suit
! able clothing, camp and garrison equip
/ age. and what amount Of material of each
| kind had been obtained and what amount
| issued up to August 81, 1898.
Z. How many public animals and how
| many wagons with harness were aVaiia-
| BILE April l. 1898?
s. What steps were taken for obtaining
! additional animals, wagons and harness
| how were they obtained and what number
had been purchased and issued by August
| 81. 1895?
8. What arrangements have been made
| previous to April /, 1898, for the rapid
movement of troops by land and by
water?
10. What arrangements were made and
| how many troops were actually moved
! by railroad and by vessel between April
and August 81, 1898?
II. Were full and complete arrange
ments made for supplying the troops
| operating in Cuba, Porto Rico and the
| Philippines with suitable clothing anC
garrison equipage and quartermaster':
stores for armies operating in the field?
r. How many and what vessels were
| purchased or chartered for transportation
of troops? What was the capacity o
each vessel? Was it properly arranged
for the comfort of the troops so far a
was possible? Was there a full supply o
water for use of troops arranged in ever,
case, and was each and every vessel care
fully inspected by an officer or agent o
the department pronounced Satisfactor,
before troops were permitted to embark
13. What arrangements were made 70
the Decentralization of troops, when ther
was a possibility of it being done outsid
of a harbor?
IA When so-called permanent camp
We're located for a large force what ar
rangements were made for full an
complete supply of potable water for us
of the troops? Were tent floors furnishe
in any cases other than for hospitals? /
so, where and to whom?
15 When troops We're moved by rail 70
long distances were there any arrange
ments made for supply of water? Wer
there any unnecessary delays in tn
movements of troops from the camps es
tablished on the return of the army fror
Cuba?
16. What if any, complaints in writin;
have been received by the quartermaste
general in reference to the prompt con,
pliance with proper acquisitions, or com
plants of any character in reference t
| the operations of the department in con
nection with the movement of troops, tn
issuing of proper and necessary supple
or the performance of any duty apper
tanning to the quartermasters depart
ment?
IL What funds were at the comman
of the department April l. 1898. and wha
additional funds were available by Aug
ust 81 1893, under general or special legis
lation?
Personal Inquiries.
A demand has also been made upon tn
chief of the ordnance department fo
specific information concerning his ad
ministration of affairs, and among other
the following questions have been ad
dressed to him:
8. What, if any, complaints in writin