The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-28
LETTER TO ALGER.

AT the conclusion Of the morning ses-
zion OF the war investigating commits
siOn, the following lettec 10 Secretary
N4Alger, outlining the scope of their work,
aaS given out:
To the Secretary of War:
Sir-Pursuant TO authority conferred
lpon US by the president, we have the
honor to request that you direct the ad-
Jutant general, the quarteunaster gen
eral, the, commissaly. general and the
surgeon general. the chief of ordnance and
the chief of engineers to furnish US as
soon as Qrdctlca ble information as TO the
condition of their several departments at
the Time OF the declaration OF the war
with Spain, and the operation OF those
departments from that time until the
present
We desire the information to include the
following. viz:
First-The times ard places of the mob
iiZation of tho regular and volunteer
troops
Second-The organization of these troops
into the various subdivisions of the army.
the personnel of the brigade. division
corps and army ConnnlandeTs aud of thei,.
STATS, whether appointed from the perm
anent establishment, from the national
guard or from civil life.
Third-The amount and kind of camp
ana garrison eQuipage and other supplies
that were on hand at the beginning of the
war. the amounts subsequently purchased.
when and where delivered to your de
partment and when and where actually is
sued to the troops. and when and where
purchased.
Fourth-Similar information in regard
TO re furnishing the troops with arms
and accoutrements.
F'ifth-Which of the volunteers We're
armed and equipped in the various state
camps and which in the general camps.
SiXth-Upon whose recommendation or
judgment the various general rendez-
vouses were selected and the reason for
such selection.
Seventh-Full particulars relative to the
transportation of troops by sea, giving
an account of the provision made for the
accommodation and care of the sick and
Eighth-An account OF the quantity.
quality and kind of food furnished the
troops, and in case that any of them
failed of being plenJifully and seasonaOly
supplied, state the reasons therefor.
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 therefore.
Tenth-Whether the medical staff was
efficient and sufficient at all times for the
proper care of the sick and wounded and
if not, state the reasons therefor.
Eleyenth-Such information relative to
the conditions and operations of the ord
nance and engineering departments as
will be Of value TO US in our inveStiga-
tions.
We have outlined briefly a portion only
of the information that we trust You win
be able TO give us. 1t viii be satisfactory
TO have IL communicated to US in writing
or by the chiefs OF the several bureaus
in person with the submission of such
records confirming their statement as they
may be pleased to hand us.
To aid you in complying with this re-
quest there is submitted herewith a list
of special questions TO which. as far as
is possible answers are desired. Very
GRANVILLE NJ. DODGE,
President.
To Secretary Aiger the commission
has addressed six questions for his re-
ply:
QUESTIONS FOR ALGER.
First-Plan of campaign proposed i'm
Was it intended to move at once on
Havana or that the campaign should be
postponed until autumn?
SecOnd-When was the Santiago cam
paign determined upon?
Third-When was Tampa selected as the
base Of operations
Fourth-Why We're summer camps es-
tablisned at Fernandina, Jacksonville and
Tampa?
Fitth-Why was the Puerto Rico cam
paisn determined upon?
Sixth-Why were the troops held on
transports after embarkation at Tampa
and not permitted to sail for severa!
days?
COMMISSION RESOLUTIONS.
The resolutions adopted by the com
mission were as follows:
Resolved first. That the secretary of
war the adjutant general. the quarter
master general the cOmmisSary general
and the surgeon general be requested to
transmit to this commission all complaints