Evening star., 1898-09-27
SCOPE OF INQUIRY
The Secretary of War Asked for De-
tailed Information.
EXHAUSTIVE INVESTIGATION OUTLINED
Touching Upon the Objects Of the
Campaigns.
ESOLUTIONS ADOPTED

The war investigating commission re-
sumed its labors at 10 O'Clock today in the
Lemon building on New York avenue and
at the close of the morning session gave
out number of documents bearing upon
the work to be undertaken. These COM
prise the letter of Secretary Alger to the
President requesting that the investigation
he made, brief address to the public in
the shape of a resolution. a letter from
Chairman Dodge to the Secretary of War
inclosing a list of Inquiries to the Secretary
and to the heads of the various divisions of
the War Department calling for specific in
formation bearing upon the conduct of the
war.
With the letter to the Secretary of War
were inclosed questions indicating the
character of information desired at the
hands of the surgeon general, the quarter
master general. the subsistence department
The ordnance department and the adjutant
general.
Request for IuyestigatiOn.
The letter of Secretary Alger to the Pres
ident asking for an investigation of the
War Department has been made public as
follows:
War Department.
Washington, September S, 1898.
To the President:
l have the honor to ask that a board. con-
sisting of from five to seven members of
the most distinguished soldiers and civil
ians that can be selected, be appointed by
you. with full power TO investigate thor
oughly every bureau of the War Depart
ment, in connection with the mastering,
clothing, supplying and arming of troops
transportation. the letting of contracts and
chartering vessels, and all expenditures of
every kind, as well of orders issued by
this department-indeed. that everything
% tod vx7irh hE he Ill,
vestigated for your information.
(SigneD r. A. ALGER.
Secretary of War.
Information Asked For.
Following letter outlining the scope of
their work was sent by the commissioners
to Secretary AIger:
Sir: Pursuant to authority conferred upon
Us by the President, we have the honor to
request that you direct the adjutant gen
eral. the qu&rtlrmaster general the COM
TisSsIry gener2l, the surgeon general, the
Chief of ordnance and the chief of engi-
reers to furnish us as soon as practicable
information to the condition of their
several department at the time of the dec
l&IatiOn Of war with Spain, and the opera
tiers Of those departments from that time
until the present.
We desire the information TO include the
following. viz:
1st- The times and places of the mobli-
zation of the regular and volunteer troops.
I'd. The organization of these troops into
the various subdivisions Of the army, the
personnel of the brigade division, corps
and army commanders, and of their staffs,
whether appointed from the permanent es-
Enlistment from the National Guard or
from civil hfe.
Sd. The amount and kind of camp AMI
garrison equipase and other supplies that
were on hand al the beginning OF the war.
the amount subsequently purchased, when
MIR
nvered, and when and where actually Is
sued to the troops.
4th. Similar information in regard to fur
nishing the troops with arms and accou-
terments.
9TH. Which of the volunteers We're armed
and equipped in the various state camps
and which in the general camps.
9th. Upon whose recommendation or judg-
mCnt the various general rendezvous were
selected, and the reasons for such selec-
ton.
9Th. Full particulars relative TO the trans
portation of troops by sea. giving an ac-
count of the provisions made for the aC-
cOmmodatiOn and care of the sick and
wounded.
stb. An account of. the quantity, quality
and kind of food furnished the troops, and
in case that any of them failed of being
pIsutifully and seasouably supplied, state
the reasons therefor.
9th As 10 the proper tentaSe. beds, linen.
medicines. focd and all other necessary
equipment anu SuppIltS IOF the use OIL the
hospital corps Of the army. If there was
any lack Of these things at any time, state
the reasons therefor.
10Th. Whether the medical staff was eff
cient and sufficient at all times for the
proper care Of the sick and wounded. and
If not state the reasons therefor.
nth. Such Information relative to the
conditions and operations of the ordnance
ard engineering departments as will be OF
value to us in our Investigations
We have outlined briefly a portion only OF
the Information that We trust you will be
able 10 give US II will be satisfactory to
have II communicated 10 us in writing or
by the chiefs Of the several bureaus in per
son. with the submission of such records
confirming their statements as they NAV be
pie ased TO hand to US
To aid you in complying with this re-
quest there is submitted herewith a list
OF sIecial que stiOns to which, as far as is
possible, answers are desired Very re-
spectfully, GRANVILLE VI. DODGE
President