Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-09-28
A SEARCHING INQUIRY.
Questions Prepared in the
War Department Scandal.
GFouND FULLY COVERED
'he ''oard of Investigation Gives Out for
Publication lts Inquisitorlal Plans
In Detail. Each Department nj ust
Answer All Complaints.
(Ey Telegraph.l

| labors at 10 O'Clock today in tfie Lemon
building, and at the close Of the morn
ing session gave out u number Of doc
uinents bearing upon the work to hse
Undertaken. These comprise the letter
VI Secretary Alger to the President re-
guessing that the investigation be
! made. brief address to the public in
the shape OF Il resolution. a letter from
chairman Dodge to the Secretary Of
war enclosing IL list of inquiries to the
secretary, and to the heads Of the va
rious divisions of the War Department,
calling FOR specific information bear
NE upon the conduct of the war
Ihe letter of Secretary Alger is as fol-
lows. -
ITO the Presidents:
= have the honor to ask that the
board. consisting of five or seven menu
pers OF the most distinguished soldiers
ana ciNiians that can be selected be
appointed by you. with full power to
investigate thoroughly every bureau OF
me war Department in connection with
the mastering, clothing. supplying and
armnS of troops. transportation the
letting of contracts and chartering YES
sells. and all expenditures of every kind.
as well as OF orders issued by this de-
|partmcnt-tndeed that everything con-
ltected with the army be thoroughly In
vcstisated for your information.
tSigned) ''R. a. ALGER
Secretary of War
The letter of Chairman Dodge to
Secretary Algcr is as follows: E,>
Pursuant to authority conferred
upon us by the President we have the
honor to request that you direct the
adjutant general the uuartermaster-
general. the commissary- general, the
surgeon general the chief of ordnance
and the chief of engineers to furnish.
us as soon rs practicable information
as to the condition of their several de-
iartInentS at the time OF the declara-
ton of war with Spain, and the oper-
atoms OF those departments from that
time until the present
We desire the information to in
ciude the following, viz:
1.-The times and places OF the mo-
btli2ation OF the regular and volunteer
troops. &5
1.-THE organization OF these troops
into the various subdivisions OF the
army, the personnel OF the hrigades,%;
division Asst. Gen. PassaK ! ommapd era
from the permanent esta bs;ys n e
from the national guard or ,frohl civil
life. .$.iT8
''3-The amount and kind OF camp
ana garrison equipage and other sup
plies that We're on hand at the Begin
ming OF the war the amount subse-
uuent!y purchased. when and where
purchased when and where delivered,
and when and where actually issued to
the troops.
Similar information in regard to fur
niShing the troops with arms and ac-
cOutrements
(Which of the volunteers were
armed and equipped in the various
state camps and which in the geFzsaI
camps.
6-upon whose recommendation or
Judgment the various general rendez-
vous were selected, and the reasons for
such selection.
''7-F'ull particulars relative to the
NJ q ing nf l,I-S <1y
an account of the provisions made for
the accommodation and care or the
sick and wounded.
San account of the quantity, quail
ity and kind OF food furnished the
troops. and in case that any of them
failed of being plentifully and seasonal
bly, supplied, state the reasons there
for.
's-As to the proper tentage, beds,
linen. medicines. food and all other
necessary equipment and supplies for
use of the hospital corps OF the army
II there was any lack of these things
at any time. state the reasons there
for.
l0-Whether the medical staff was
efficient and sufficient at all times for
the proper care of the sick and woun-
ded. and If not state the reasons there
for.
''l1-Such information relative to the
conditions and operations of the ord
nance and engineering departments as
will be of value to US III our investiga-
tons.
We have outlined briefly a portion
only of the Information that we trust
you will be able to give US. II will be
satisfactory to have communicated to
us in writing. or by the chiefs OF the
several bureaus in person. with the
submission of such records confirming
their statements as they may be pleas
ed to hand us.
To aid you in complying with this
request there is submitted herewith a
list of special questions to which SO
far as is possible answers are desired
To Secretary Alger the commission
has addressed six queries for his reply
Information desired from the Secretary
of War is stated as follows:
plan of campaign proposed imnle-
diately after the declaration of war;
was it intended to move at once to
| Havana. or that the campaign should
be postponed until autumn?
2-When was the Santiago campaign
determined upon?
3-Why was Tampa selected as the
| base of operations?
4-Why We're summer camps organ
| lied AT Fernandna, Jacksonville and
! Tampa. y
! 5-When was the Porto Rico cam
paign determined upon?
| 6-Why were the troops held on trans
| ports for embarkation at Tampa and
not permitted To sail for several days?
| The resolutions adopted by the COM
mittcc We're as follows:
..Resoived first: That the Secretary
Of War. the adjutant- the quar-
| termaster-general. the commssary-s
general and the surgeon general be re-
uuested to transmit to the commission
all complaints that nave been received
by them since April LIST. 1898. touching
| the conduct of the war
Resolved second: That this commits
sion invites and is ready. and Will re-
ceiye and consider any complaints
about the management of any OF the
various branches OF the Var Depart-
ment, from any person or persons; ana
! that we respectfully request that such
complaints be made in writing. stating
facts that the party may know of his
own knowledge plainly and in detail.
giving names Of any officers or enlist
ed men who may be charged With mis-
conduct or incompetency, same to be