The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-27
Inquiries Addressed to the Secretary
Of War and Others,
THE INFORMATION ASKED FOR,
Special Inquiry Made a. 20 What Pro-
vision Was Made TO Protect the
Health of the Soldiers, and
the Reason for Selecting
the Sites Of Camps.
Complaints.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25.-The comms-
sion selected by the President TO investi-
gate the conduct Of the War Department
held its first formal session to-day with
all the members present. The meeting
was IN the room OF the Fertilization and
Ordnance Board Of the army but ir was
found to be too small for the purpose OF
the commission. and it was announced
that future meetings should be held in
the apartments secured in the Lehman
building on New York avenue. This
meeting was strictly secret No news
paper representatives or others not con-
nected with the board were admitted.
OUTLINING THEIR POLICY.
The meeting was of two hours duration
I'm the forenoon, after which am adjourn
ment was taken until lO O'Clock to-mor-
row. The proceedings were limited to the
outlining of a general policy and the for
nation of letters Of inquiry which would
be made public tomorrow.
The letters. which have been decided
upon. are 20 be addressed TO the secre-
tary Of War, the Quartermaster General,
the Commissary General, tho Surgeon
General and the Chief OF the Odrnance
Department OF the army. They VIII cone
sist IN the main OF inquiries intended 20
bring out an the facts that can be given
relative 20 the organization of the vol
unteor army These officials viii Doe ask
cd TO give specific information as 90 cover
each OF the departments in question. con-
cerning the condition of the army, both no
the beginning and the close of the war.
FOR this purpose a date in April has been
Ia lT. frr If
the preparation, and another in August
for the close.
The questions are so formulated as 20
call out answers. as to organization pure
chase Of supplies and The fnakn- Of c0l-
tracts with The principal transportation
companies. and also to show the methods
adopted FOR furnishing supplies 90 the
various commands and for protecting the
health of the soldiers. There VIII Doe an
especial effort TO develop the motives
that actuated the Department in The
choice OF camp sites. as there has been
charges 10 the effect that they were lo-
Gated as a matter OF favOrtism to railroad
companies.
LETTERS or COMPLAINT
The commission also considered several
letters OF complaint from persons pr0-
Tossing TO have Information bearing upon
The subject Of the investigation. and de-
clded 20 address replies to The writers Of
each OF them requiring them 90 put their
charges in specific shape and informing
them OF the scope of the inquiry.
III is intended that if thc replies received
10 these letters show The writers 90 De in
possession of real Information to SUM
mon them before the commission when
90 is feasible TO do SD. or, otherwise. 90
secure their afidayts.
Where. however. 30 becomes evident
that their accusations are mere idle come
plants with no Information back of them
The writers viii not receive further ate
tfntiou.
The commission also expects 70 extend
its inquiry before 30 closes ils work. t0
the extent of summOning before it the
commanding officers of The various DIE
visions and brisldes and probably eN-
tending 30 90 The c1lonels of regiments
from which complaints have cmanated.
They win Doe expected tO give full inf0r-
nation ass to- the pains they may have
taken or failed t0 take concerning the Joe
cation Of their troops and their general
welfare. ,The commission decided 90 hold
TWO sessions daily. one in the afternoon
and the other in the forenoon.
DIR. CONNER ARRIVES
Dr. j.. s. Conner SAT with the COM
mission to-day for the first time Tie are
rived from bis home in Cincinnati early
n the day ana called upon the President
for q brief interview before Joining his
fellow members in the War Department.
Dr. Conner found it impossible t0 re-
main with the commission for the pres-
ent and received leave OF absence for
two or three days in order 20 return to
Cincinnati 90 put bis affairs .n shape to
Dee absent SO long Hs the work or the