The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-04

Army investigators Ready 20 Hear
Eridenre-I.effer from sfernberg.

EyidenCc-LetteF from SternDerB.
WASHINGTON. oct. 3-All the members
Of the war investigation commission were
present at to-day's session. except ex-Gov-
erncr Beaver. and the announcement was
made that he would be in attendance to-
morrow. when General Wheeler would be
present as the nrst witness before the COM
mission. To-days session was devoted
largely 10 consideration of the method for
the examination OF witnesses, and in this
connection the question OF administering
oaths WIS discussed at considerable length.
The members generally took the position
that under a strict construction the COM
mission had no authority to compel a wit
ness 10 be sworn by member of the COM
mission. but there was also a general opin-
ion that the witnesses would not raise
technical objections and that they in all
probability would submit to be sworn with
out opposition II was decided, however, to
inform witnesses frankly of the status of
the board and TO afford them an opportunity
TO decline in case they so desired. 1t was
suggested that the whole difficulty might
be avoided by getting the President to APP
point one of the officers OF the board to
the Office Of a notary public, and it is prob
able that this request will be made with the
end in view of having an officer capable Of
administering oaths present in case of emer-
gency. To Governor Beaver was assigned
the task of leading in the examination Of
witnesses but there is an understanding
that other members of the board shall ask
such questions as they may desire.
The commission also received several adj
diticnal communications, which received at
tention. Among them was a letter from
Surgeon General Sternberg inviting the COM
mission to visit his Office No action was
taken upon this invitation. The letter.
which is addressed to Gen. @. M. Dodge.
president Of the board follows:
SRI have the honor to submit for con-
alteration of the commission the inclosed
statement cit has been published heretofore)
relating to responsibility in the medical de-
partment OF the army. / respectfully sug-
gest that the commission as a whole
subcommittee visit the office of the surgeon
general at an early day for the purpose of
investigating the organization and methods
Of work which have been employed in my
Office during the war with Spain. / have
received a copy of the questions relating
70 the medical department and shall do my
best to answer these questions in full at as
early day as Is practicable. But consider
able time will be required owing to the
enormous amount of important official busi-
ness pertaining. to the regular administra-
tive work. of the office. To neglect this
would give just cause for criticism and am
cure the commission will agree with me that
my nrSt duty IS TO provide for the proper
care of the sick of our armies in the field
and in garrison, far as this lies in my
power. This has been my earnest endeavor
from the outset of our short and glorious
war with Span.''
At the afternoon session of the investiga-
ton commission several complaints were
read in regard to the method of transporting
men from Santiago, the names of the YES
sells on which Ii was alleged that abuses had
occurred being the Concha, the Seneca, the
Rreakwater, the Olivette and the City of
Washington. 1t was decided to make
thorough investigation of this branch of the
service, and Chairman Dodge was directed
TO secure the names of the commanding
officers, medical officers and representatives
of the quartermasters' department on those
vessels. The commission also decided to
permit the presence during the hearings of
three stenographers as representatives of
the press in addition TO the representatives
of the press associations.
The commission called at the War Depart
ment late to-day and saw Secretary Alger,
Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn and Adit.
Gen. Corbin for few minutes. The call
was purely social