Evening journal., 1898-09-26
MAKE IT THOROUGH
McKinley's Advice to the War
Inquiry Commission.
IS PLEASED WITH ITS PERSONNEL.

President Confident That Abuses la
War Department bureaus VIII Be
Uncovered a. Such Abuses Exist
ed-COmmissiOn Now al work.
WASHINGTON, Sept 26-Thc COM
mission appointed by President MclSin-
ley TO Investigate the administration Of
the war department in relation TO its
conduct OF the war with Spain begins
its labors formally today. The commits
sion effected an organization Saturday
by electing General Grenvilie M. Dodge
president, Mr. Richard Wightman sec
rotary and Major Stephen c. Mills OF
the regular army recorder.
The president Is understood 10 be
thoroughly pleased with the personnel
OF the commission. 1t was his effort to
secure as members OF the commission
men OF the highest character and stand
ing. IN whose opinions and judgments
the country would have all confidence.
He desired also TO have represented on
the board all phases OF public and po-
litlcal feeling, every section OF the coun-
try and all classes OF business-profes-
sional, commercial and military The
men whom he has appointed are pos
sessed OF wide and varied experience.
many, OF them having served with dis
tinguished honor 20 themselves either
in the Union OF Confederate armies. The
president feels assured that the verdict
OF the commission, whatever that may
be, in the inquiry Il Is about to make
VIII be accepted and approved by all
right minded and right thinking Ameri-
can citizens.
That II Is the presidents desire that
Oh. D.. 4
ing was indicated by his statement to
the commission when It assembled at
the White House for a conference with
him Saturday. No limit is placed by
the president upon the scope OF the in
vestlgation. 1t is to include every de-
partmentiof the army and the president
assures the commission In advance that
he viii afford IL every facility IN his
power for the prosecution OF the most
searching inquiry into every part of the
administration Of the war.
In addressing the commission the
president said, among other things
Before suggesting the matters which
shall come before you for investigation
I desire to express my appreciation to
each of you FOR your willingness TO ac-
cept the patriotic service to which you
have been invited. You are to perform
one of the highest public duties that
can fall to a citizen. and your unselhsh-
ness in undertaking IL makes me pro-
foundly grateful
There has been In many quarters sc-
we're criticism of the conduct of the war
with Spain. Charges OF criminal neglect
of the soldiers I'm camp and field and
hospital and In transports have been so
persistent that, whether true on false.
they have made a deep impression upon
the country 1t Is my earnest desire
that you shall thoroughly investigate
these charges ana make the fullest exc
Summation of the administration of the
war department I'm all of its branches,
with the view TO establishing the truth
or falsity OF these accusations. 1 put
upon you no limit to the scope of your
investigation. OF all departments con-
nected with the army / invite the
closest scrutiny and examination 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 your call.
Il cannot impress upon you too
strongly my wish that your investiga-
tion shall be so thorough and complete
that your report when made shall fix
the responsibility or fault by reason of
neglect, Incompetence or maladminis-
tration upon the officers and bureaus
responsible therefor--if II be found that
the evils complained OF have existed.
THE people OF the country are en-
titled TO know whether or not the citi-
zens who so promptly responded 10 the
call OF duty have been neglected or mis-
used OF maltreated by the government
20 which they so willingly gave their
services. II there have been wrongs
committed. the wrongdoers must not
escape conviction and punishment"