The times., 1898-09-28
COMMISSION At WORK
Plans Outlined for the War
Department Inquiry.
SESSIONS TO BE PUBLIC
Capt. Howell Says the Water at
ChickamauEn Is Bad-The Stream
known the "Riyer of Death
A Recess of Perhaps Two Days
Taken.

Gen Grenvlile M Dodge in the chair,
met in the Lemon Building, on New York
Avenue. at 10 o'clock yesterday morning,
and after secret session of several hours
gave out copies in great detail of the in
quiries which would be addressed to the
heads OF the various bureaus in the War
Department that are under investigation.
The list of questions is very formidable
and seems to have omitted nothing. If
the commission should succeed in obtain
ing full and truthful information covering
all the questions that are set forth 1t will
come very near getting at the bottom of
the War Department scandals.
II was said last night that the commits
sion viii hold open sessions as soon as ii
begins TO examine witnesses and take tes-
tiInony. It is argued that no investigation
will amount to anything that is not held
in the open light of day.
Two Days Recess.
Gen Dodge and several others of the
war investigating commissioners left
town last night and VIII not return be-
fore Thursday or Friday. When the COM
missioners return 1t is expected that they
viii be ready TO examine witnesses.
Capt. Howell, of Georgia, who is one of
the commissioners, said at the Arlington
last night that when the commission be-
gan 10 examine witnesses and take testi-
mony that they would hold open sessions
He declared that they had never contem-
plated conducting a secret investigation
How long do you think that the in
vestisation VIII last?" Capt Howell was
asked.
-'Oh, a month or two perhaps he said.
-'It is hard TO tell
do you expect to hold all of your ses-
sions in Washington"
The River of Death
'No; We will probably visit the camps.
where the most complaints have been
made-such as Chickamauga think
that the location of the camp at Chicka-
mauga was a mistake The water there
is bad. that is. the water of Chicka-
maUGa River. Two miles away or so was
q fine spring of some of the best water
in the world. This water could have been
piDee into the camp. and the soldiers
would have had good water as could
have been obtained anywhere, but evil
IDENTIFY the authorities thought that the
owner of the spring asked too much for
were compelled TO drink the water of
Chickamauga River"
DO you know Capt Howell asked
what the name Chickamauga means?
Nc. Well. ! viii tell you. 1t is an In
dian name which. translated, means The
River of Death
mo one living in that country thinks OF
drinking the water from Chickamauga
River In fact, no one lives along its
banks All of the houses are back some
distance from the river. In my judgment
a great deal of the sickness at Chicka-
n2auga camp came from the soldiers
drinking the water from this River of
Death. "
A Safe Request.
Secretary Alger's note TO the President
requesting an investigation of his admin
istration Of the War Department was
made public yesterday. II follows:
War Department
Washington, Sept s. 1888.
''To the President:
Il have the honor TO ask that a board,
consisting of from five TO seven members
of the most distinguished soldiers and
civilians that can be selected. be appoint
ed by you, with full power to investigate
thoroughly every bureau of the War De
ing, clothing. supplying and arming of
troops. transportation. the letting of con-
tracts and chartering vessels and all ex-
penditures OF every kind, as well as OF or
ders issued by this department-indeed,
that everything connected with the army
be thoroughly investigated for your in
formation. r. A. ALGER
Secretary of War
The Information Desired.
In the following communication. ad-
dressed to Secretary Alger, the commits
sioners outline the scope Of their work
and specify the information they desire:
Sir: Pursuant TO authority conferred
upon US by the President we have the
honor to request that you direct the adju-
tant general, the quartermaster general
the commissary general, the surgeon gen
eral, the chief of ordnance, and the chief
Of engineers to furnish US as soon as
practicable information as to the condi-
tion of their several departments at the
time of the declaration of war with
Spain. and the operations of those de-
partments from that time until the pres
ent
I'VE desire the information to include
the following, viz:
list. The times and places of the mobf,i-
cation of the regular and volunteer
troops.
I'D. The organization OF these troops
into the various subdivisions of the army.
the personnel of the brigade division
corps and army commanders, and of their
staffs, whether appointed from the per-
manent establishment from the National
Guard or from civil life.
I'd. The amount and kind of camp and
garrison eduipage and other supplies that
were on hand al. the beginning of the
war, the amount subsequently purchased,
when and where purchased, and when
and where actually issued to the troops
18th. Similar information in regard to
furnishing the troops with arms and ac-
couterments.
18th Which of the volunteers were arm
ed and equipped in the various State
camps and which in the general camps
9th. Upon whose recommendation or
Judgment the various general rendezvous
were selected, and the reasons for such
selection.
''7th- Full particulars relative to the
transportation of troops by sea, giving an
account Of the provisions made for the
accommodation and care of the sick and
wounded.
18th. An account OF the quantity. quail
fly and kind of food furnished the troops.
and in case that any Of them failed of be-
ing plentifully and seasonabIy supplied.
state the reasons therefor
18th. AS to the proper tentage, beds