The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-09-28
GIVEN OUT YESTERDAY
BY BOARD OF INQUIRY AT CLOSE
OF SESSION.
AlGER's LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT
The Letter of Chairman Dodge to Alger His
Eleven Pertinent Questions as TO Con-
diton of Affairs in The Mill
tarY Departments.

tary Departments.
Washington, Sept. 27.-The War In
vestigating Commission resumed its la
bors ut 10 o'clock to-day in the Lemon
Building and at the close of the morn
ing session gave out number of docu-
ments bearing upon the work to be un-
dertaken. These comprise the letter OF
Secretary Alger to the President re
questing that the investigation be made,
a brief address to the public in ,he
shane Of a resolution, letter from Chair
man Dodge to the Secretary of War
enclosing a list of inquiries to the Secre-
tary and to the heads of the various di-
visions of the War Department calling
for specific information bearing upon the
conduct of the war.
The letter of Secretary Alger fol-
lows
ITO the President:
Il have the honor to ask that Board,
consisting of from five to seven mem
bers of the most distinguished soldiers
and civilians that can be selected be
appointed by you, with full power to
investigate thoroughly every bureau OF
tie War Department, in connection with
the mastering, clothing, supplying and
arming 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
partment-indeed that everything con-
nected with the army be thoroughly i'll
yestigated for your information.
(Signed.) ''R. A. ALGER.
Secretary of War"
DODGE'S ELEVEN QUESTIONS.
The letter of Chairman Dodge to Sec
retary Alger follows:
pursuant to authority conferred upon
MS by the President, we have the honor
to request that you direct the Adjutant
General, the Quartermaster General, the
Commissary General, the Surgeon Gen
eral. the Chief of Ordnance and the
Chief of Engineers to furnish us rs
soon as practicable, information as to
the condition of their several departments
ut the time of the declaration of war
with Spain, and the operations of those
departments from that time until the
present.
I'VE desire the information to include
the following:
VIZ: 1st-The times and places of
the mobilization of the regular and vol
unteer troops.
.'2nd.-The organiZationNof these troops
into the various subdivisions of the
army, the personnel of the brigade, di-
VISION, corps and army commanders, and
of their staffs, whether appointed from
the permanent establishment, from the
National Guard or from civil life.
'3rd.-The amount and kind of camp
and garrison equippage and other sup
plies that were on hand at the beginning
of the war; the amount subsequently
purchased, when and where purchased,
when and where delivered, and when
and where actually issued to the troops.
"4th.-Similar information in regard
to furnishing the troops with arms and
accountrements
"5th.-Which of the volunteers were
armed and equipped in the various State
camps and which in the general camps.
.6th.-Upon whose recommendation or
Judgment the various general rendezvous
were selected, and the reasons for such
selection.
'7th.-Full particulars relative to tho
transportation of troops by sea, giving
an account of the provisions made Cor
the accommodation and care of the sick
and wounded.
"Sth.-An account of the quantity.
quality and kind of food furnished the
troops, and in case that any of them
failed of beng plentifully and season
ably supplied, state the reasons there
for
-. As to the proper tentage, beds,
linen, medicines, food and all other
necessary equipment and supplies for
the use of the hospital corps Of the army.
If there was an lack of these things at
any time, state the reasons therefor.
10. Whether the medical staff was
efficient and sufficient at all times for
the proper care of the sick and wounded,
and If not state the reasons therefor.
I'll. Such information relative to the
conditions and operations of the ord
nance and engineering departments as
will be Of value to us in our investiga-
tions.
I'VE have outlined briefly a porter,
only of the information that we trust
you will be able to give us. 1t will be
satisfactory to have it communicated
to us in writing or by the chiefs of the
several bureaus in person, with the sub
mission of such records confirming their