The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-28
WAR COMMISSIONERS WORK.
QUESTIONS SENT OUT OUTLINING
THE IMPORTATION DESIRED.

man Dodge Addresses "a Letter of
Inquiries to Secretary of War Al
ser and to the Heads of the Va
rfOus Divisions of the War DEPART
ment-slx Special Questions as to
Plans of the Campaign, the Camp
sites and the Ports of Embarka-
tiOn.
Washington, Sept H.--The war investi-
eating commission resumed It's labors at 10
o'clock to-day in the Lehman building.
and at the close of the morning session
gave out a number Of documents bearing
upon the work to be undertaken.
These comprise the letter of Secretary
Aiger to the President. requesting that the
investigation be made, a brief address to
the public in the shape of a resolution.
letter from Chairman Dodge to the Sec
retary 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 information bearing
upon the conduct of the war.
The letter of Secretary Alger is as fol-
lows:
ITO the President: have the honor
TO ask that a board, consisting of from Ave
to seven members Of the most distin-
guished soldiers and civilians that can be
selected, be appointed by you, with full
power to investigate thoroughly every bu-
reau of the war department, 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
as of orders Issued by this department.
indeed, thai everything connected with the
army be thoroughly Investigated for your
information
The letter Of Chairman Dodge to Secre-
tary Alger is as folows
Pursuant to authority conferred upon
us by the President, We have the honor
to request that you direct the adjutant
general, the quartermaster general, the
oommissary general, the surgeon general,
the chief OF ordnance and the chief OF en-
/ gineers to furnish us soon as practi-
cable information as TO the condition OF
| their several departments at the time of
| the declaration Of war with Spain, and
| the operations of those departments from
that time until the presen.
I'VE desire the information to include the
| following:
H. The times and places OF mobilization
Of the regular and volunteer troops.
i the various subdivisions OF the army the
personnel of the brigade division, corps
/ and army commanders and OF their STATS,
whether appointed from the permanent
! establishment, from the national guard,
4 or from civil life
49, The amount and kind of camp and
/ garrison equlppage and other supplies that
| were on hand at the beginning of the war,
/ the amount subsequently purchased, when
| and where purchased when and where
ali aq4A trfha and tsyl1o
issued to the troops.
-. Some information in regard to fur
nishing the troops with arms and accou-
trements
"5 Which of the volunteers were armed
and equipped In the various state camps
and which In the general camps.
''6. Upon whose recommendation or
judgment the various general rendezvous
were selected, and the reasons for such
selection.
u. Full particulars relative 10 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.
"s. An account of the quantity, quality
and kind OF food furnished the troops, and
in case that many Of them failed OF being
pentifuily and seasonably supplied, state
the reasons therefor.
80. AS to the proper tentage beds linen,
medicines, food and all other necessary
/ equipment ana supplies TOT lHe use Oh Nn0
hospital corps of the army. IL there was
any lack OF these things at any time. state
the reasons therefor.
10 Whether the medical staff was ef-
fcient and sufficient at all times for the
proper care of the sick and wounded. and.
| IL not, state the reasons therefor.
III. Such information relative to the
conditions and operations of the ordnance
/ and engineering departments as Will be
OF value to us in our Investigations.
1--WE have outlined briefly portion only
| Of the information that we trust you viii
be able 60 give u.s. 1t win be satisfactory
10 have 1t communicated TO us In writing
| or by the chiefs Of the several bureaus in
person. with the submission of such re-
cords confirming their statements as they
may be pleased TO hand to us.
ITO aid you IN complying with this re-
| quest there is submitted herewith list
of special questions to which, so far as Is
possible, answers are desired"
TO Secretary Alger, the commission has
addressed queries for his reply as fol-
COWS;
Il. Plan Of campaign proposed ifnme-
| dlately after the declaration OF war; was 1t
intended 10 move at once TO Havana, or
that the campaign should be postponed
until autumn?
"2. When was the Santiago campaign
determined upon?
49, why was Tampa selected as the
base OF operations2
"a. Why were summer camps organiz-
ed at Fernandlna, Jacksonville and Tam
pa?
"5. When was the Porto Rico campaign
determined upon?
So Why were the troops held In trans
ports for embarkation at Tampa and not
permitted TO sail for several days2'
The resolutions adopted by the commis-
sion were as follows:
"Resolved, First, That the Secretary OF
War, the adjutant general, the quartermas-
Ter general the commissary general and
the surgeon general be requested to trans
NIT TO this commission all complaints that
have been received by them since April
/, 1893. touching The conduct Of the war.
Resolved Second, That this commission
! invites and Is ready and will receive and
consider any complaints about the man
agement of any Of the various branches OF
the war department, from any person or
persons. that we respeetfully request that