The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-10
OF War Board Goes
to President.
ONE ME MBER TALKS
He Says it Criticises, Does
Not Whitewash.

washington, req. S.-Ine war invest
igation commission. with the presenta-
ton of it's report to President McISin-
ley, this afternoon. ceased it's exist
ence.
The general scope OF the report was
sent out last night, and renewed at
then pointed out. that there We're only
two witnesses who made charges
against the government in the beef
issue. 1t is pointed out that there
were numerous allegations made and
many attacks in the public prints, but
that when those making the attacks
and charges were called to appear be-
fore the commission with their state
ments under oath or substantiate them,
they failed either to appear or fur
nish proof Of what they had said
1t is insisted that all the men who
had made any charges were offered the
fullest opportunity to be heard, and
their statements given full considera-
ton. and that every effort had been
made to probe the truth in whatever
matters had come up before their
body.
The Eagan incident is passed over
without material mention, if at all, in
view of Gen. Eagan's revision Of the
statement that he originally made to
them. The report avoids all question
of the strategy OF the war, that being
matter regarded as outside the func-
tons of the commission.
Inc references tD Gen hTfIpS oann.
manding the army are devoted maiM-
~ TO structures on his course with ref
erence to the beef issue as covered In
hls testimony
In this connection, a main point made,
II is understood, is as to Gen Miles
FAILURE to take prompt action in re-
porting on the beef instead of waiting
long period before communicating the
faets to the department, and mean
time, with the information he gave
IN his possession, and his Judgment
on the beef supplies made up. permit
ting beef he so vigorously condemned
20 20 pc issued to the army. The fact
LILY eilai ne was the only witness failing to
testify under oath, is referred to
PRESIDENT Mckinley, on receiving the
report from the commission, congrat-
oiated the commissioners on the com
pletion of their task The commissions
ers went over their work In O general
way, and, at the request OF the presid-
ent, read portions of the report, which
covered certain points in which he had
expressed an interest.
Inc conference lasted about an hour
and a half. The president stated thar
ne was satisfied that each member had
done his whole duty. He said he had
rendered them every assistance pos
slble, and he said that they would bear
witness that he had not sought to in
nQTf In
slightest degree
Gen. Dodge, chairman Of the commits
sion, VIII go at once 10 New York Col
DENLY VIII leave for his home in Ev-
ansyille, Ind, and will sail from san
francisco on the 2lst instant for the
Philippines, to Join his associate mem
bers OF the Philippine commission;
Gen. McCook goes to Fortress Monroe,
to join his family there; ex-Gov. Beav-
er leaves for his home in Pennsylva-
MIA; ex-Gov Woodbury. goes with Mrs
woodbury. on q pleasure trip through
the south for a few weeks, returning
to his home in Vermont about A pril /;
Capt. Howell win shortly return to
Georgia. DR.. Common returns at once to
his home; Gen Wilson will resume his
duties as chief OF engineers.
In speakin Of the report today to a
Star reporter, a prominent member OF
the commission said THE report
doesn't whitewash. 1t criticises, but
not persons or things not warranted by
the evidence before us. We started
out with the assumption that the con-
duct Of the war was all right and then
we went ahead to hear witnesses, who
said 1t was not. That report repre-
sents the honest opinion Of every mem
Der Of the commission. We were I'M
animous In adopting It, ] say this and
] am Of the opposition political faith
IL IL.
r1lnistratton. There was no suppress
sion or concealment and no point
brought out in tie evidence was eVad-
ed or CLEANED over
I'VE never met before hearing witness
and agreed not to examine him or to
touch upon certain matters that might
turn out unfavorably. Everything that
a man knew or thought he knew, was
the subject of inquiry, and / am salts
fed, when the country gets our report
In full, that there will be no complaint
either as to our methods or results
"The president never saw d word Of
our report before he received II off,
cially Nor indeed has he ever talked
with any Of the commission about II.
He has never many way by word or ac-
ton or messenger, evinced a wish to
have us develop anything but the truth.
or even touched upon the matter Of our
work.
I'VE have questioned more than 500
witnesses and the majority of them
had some complaint they wanted to re-
late. In no instance can 1t be proved
that we have omitted to call any wit
ness who hads been brought to our
attention as having important facts to
disclose.
"Of course, there were some evils.
but they were TO be expected The
soldiers in the civil war never had hog
pitfalls or medical attendance so good
as was given them in the war with
Spain. And their army ration then
was not as eatable as it Is now. The
men who complained the most OK the
food we found were generally the milit-
iamen from the interiors of states,
and who had been allowed So per head
for subsistence stores while they were
in state camps. When they went into
the active fighting they expected the
same sort Of thing.
"These men nearly all confessed to
US that they had always received the
army ration. They had no right TO
expect any more. There were many
complaints brought to US that on theiP
face were foollshwere foolishcmfwypfw
face were foolish and false. but we wene
~ Il