The Portland daily press., 1898-09-26
ADDRESSES COMMISSION.
President Has Investigation Board
Before Him and Speaks to 1t.
Wants Report Full and Complete and If
Wrong HaslBee Done Wants 1t Detect-
ed and Responsibility Fixed.

| ed and Responsibility Fixed.
| Washington, September 25.-The COM
mission appointed by President McKin-
ley to Investigate the administration OF
the war department in relation to its con-
duct OF the Hispano-American war, will
began its labors formally tomorrow. The
commission effected an organization yes.
terday by electing Gen. Grenv1lle M.
Dodge, president; Mr.. Richard Whight-
man, secretary, and Major Stephen Q.
Mills Of the regular army. recorder. The
President is unde rstood to be thoroughly
pleased with the personnel of. the commits
sion It was his effort to secure as MEM
bers of the commission, men of the high
est character and standing, in whose
opinions and judgment. thescountry would
have all confidence. He desired also to
have represented on the board all phases
of public and political feeling, every Sec
tion of Che country and all Glasses Of busi-
ness professional, commercial and mill
tary. The mon whom he has appointed
are possessed of wide and varied expert.
ence, many of them having served with
distinguished honor to themselves either
| in the Union or Confederate arimes. The
President feels assured that the verdict o +
the commission, whatever that may be,
| in the inquiry it. is about to conduct, will
be accepted and approved by all right
minded and right thinking American cit.
izens
| That 1t Is the Presi dents desire that
the inquiry should be rigid and search
| ing was indicated by his statement to the
commission when 1t assembled at the
White House for conference with him
yesterday. No limit is placed by the
President upon the scope of investigation.
1t is to include every department. of the
army and the President assures the COM
mission in advance that he will afford
it every facility in his power for the pro-
secution of the most searching inquiry
| into every part Of the administration of
| the war.
| In addressing the commission, the
Presidnent said, among other things:
| "Gentlemen-Before suggesting the
matters which shall come before you for
investigation, I desire to express my ap-
probation to each of you for your will
ingness to accept the patriotic service to
which you have been invited. You are to
perform one of the highest public duties
| that can fall to citizen and your unset
fishness in undertaking it makes me
profoundly grateful.
"There has been in many quarters
severe criticism of the conduct Of the war
with Spain. Charges Of criminal neglect
of the soldiers in camp and field and hos.
pital and in transports have been SO per-
sistent that, whether true or false, they
have made deep impression upon the
country. 1t is my earnest desire that you
shall thoroughly investigate these charges
and make the fullest examination Of the
administration of the war department. in
all of its branches with the view Of estab-
fishing the truth or falsity of these ac-
cusations. I put. upon yousno limit to
the scope of your investigation. All de-
partments connected with the administra-
tion invite the close scrutiny and exam
nation and shall afford every facility for
the most searching inquiry. The records
of the war department and the assistance
Of It's officers shall be subject to our call.
"I cannot impress upon you too
strongly my wish that your investigation
be so Thorough and complete that your
report. when made, will fix the RESPONSE
bility for any failure or fault by reason of
neglect, incompetency or maladministra-
tion upon the officers and bureaus re-
sponsible therefor-if 1t be found that the
evils complained of have existed.
"The people Of the country are entitled
to know whether or not the citizens who
SO promptly responded to the call of duty
have been neglected eramisused or NAL
treated oy the government to which they
90 willingly gave their services. If there
have been wrongs committed the wrong
doers must not escaps conviction and
punishment.
EXEMPTED FROM TAXATION.
Oldtown, Me-, September "a "A largely