The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-25
The President Reads His Request to
the Commission.
WILL BE GIVEN A CLEAR FIELD.
Nfr. Mckinley Declares that Hc VIII
Render Every Assistance i'm the
Investigation Of the Conduct
of the War-The Commis-
sion Begins Active
Work Monday.

WASIIlNGIONt Sept. @t.-1l.N N''i''''-
sion TO investigate the conduct of the
War Department during the recent con-
nict with Spain held ls initial mcelrs
in the Office of President Mckinley at
the White House to-day There were
eight members present and it was an-
nounced that the services of nnlf
man were counted upon. though his name
was not made public.
ALL BUT ONE
The eight who were present were.
Afafor-General Granville 81 Dodge. of
Iowa. Colonel j. a. Sexton. of Illinois,
CAPTAIN u. P Howell. of Georgia, Major
General j. NJ. Wilson. chief OF engineers
Of the United states Army; Hon. Charles
Dorby. Of Indiana. late Minister 10 CHINA
ey-Govcrnor Urban s.. Woodbury. oi
Vermont. Ex-Governor james a. Beaver
of Pennsylvania. and Major-Gcneral A.
Med McCo0k OF the army Tetired).
The appearance of Ex-Governor Beaver
as a member OF the commission was
surprise as lis election was not known
until he appeared at the White House
at the beginning Of tho session.
EXCHANGE or VIEWS.
The commission spent an hour and
half with the President and then pro-
ccoded 90 the room assigned it at tNe
War Department for the purpose OF or
gauizing and beginning work. The proc
coednes with the President consisted DID
fhe main of "a general exchange of views
as TO the scope of the commissions ln-
yestfeauon in which the President pare
ticipated quite freely. He told the mem-
bcrs that the organization OF the come
mission had been undertaken az inc zee
quest Of Secretary Aleor and read
letter from the Secretary in which he
made The request. The President hdd
put his own views in writing and i.fd
them before proceeding t0 verbal disc
cussi0n. In this statement be said thal
complaints had been directed especially
ut the surgeon generals. The quariefmas-
ter generals and the c0mmissary general
departments OF the army and he sus-
gosted that the conduct NJ these depart
ments should receive especial considera-
t0n al the hands of tle commission.
GET TO THE BOTTOM
TO specific request he added that 10
was his desire that the entire military
organization should. 81 30 appeared neces-
sary. be made the subject OF inquiry.
saving that Doe wished the commits sion
10 go 90 the bottom of the subject DOB
an cases and proceed with its work With
out fear or favor.
want the commission 90 have clear
field and j viii do an that 81 is possible
for me 90 do f0 seo fhat 90 has.
The suggestion was also made 20 the
commission that the nrst cnJrt should ne
% secure general information in regard
20 the oreaniZation of the army and
the time in which the work was per-
formed The President suggested The
name of Major Miles. of the army for
the position of recorder Of the commits
sion.
Secretary Ayers request as made in
the letter read bv the Pres ideut. was Tor
a complete inquiry into the conduct or
the war; especially ON the lines or tne
charges published in the newspapers. Ie
said these charges had assumed sucn
magnitude. that Doe did not fee. satisfied
10 have the department rest under them.
and that he desired an investsaiion ny
men eminent in military and civil liic.
THE NINTH MEMBER
DR.. Phncas S. COnuor of cincinnati
was announced as tho ninth member OF
the commission lie was not present at
to-days session. hut uo doubt was exc
nrcssod that Doe would serve. Tie "as see
clan. and the President had beon anxious
from the beginning io secure the services
OF "a medical man. because the medical
department of the army IS much involved
i'm the charges that have been made.
After tine close of the conference al the
White House the President expressed his
satisfaction with the pcrsonne. OF tne
commission. adding that he believed inat
thoir Investigation would Doe thorough
and their report fair and impartial
The commission organized hF olecing
Granville NJ Dodge chairman. ana
Richard Wcightman. of Washington. sec-
retarv. Major Miles of the lnspector-1en-
erals office 90 De military recorder
The commission adjourned an l.5'
o'clock 10 meet at 10 o'clock ON Monday
The session was devoted 20 method ot
procedure nothing definite being reached.
II was said that probably the inVestisa-
tion SO far as examination of Witnesses,
would De open, but other proceedings IN
executive session.
DIR. CONNOR ACCEPTS.
CINCINNATI. OHIO. Sept 2i-Dr.
pheneas :. Connor. Of this city, dis-in-
guisbed physician and surgeon. who
served with distinction I'm the civil war,
has accepted the invitation of the Presi-
dent 10 be q member OF the commission
TO Investigate the War Department