The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-13
INsrECToR-e GENERALS DUTIES.
He Insists That He Can Mako Inspections
without Orders from tho Secretary.


WASHINGTON. July ia controversy that
may call for action by the Secretary OF War.
further defining the duties OF the Inspector
General OF the army. is now going on In the
War Department. Ever since the beginning OF
the war with Spain Gen. Breckenridge. the In
epeotor-G General OF the army. has insisted
upon the authority OF the inspectors OF his
department to make inspections Of property
to be condemned or otherwise disposed OF. He
has claimed that It is within the scope OF his
department to inspect all branches OF the SER
vice, including the work Of the Medical De-
partment. Quartermaster's Department. Com
missary Department and Ordnance Bureau.
Within the past few weeks several questions
as to the power OF the Inspector Gen eral have
arisen. The first question to arise was during
the absence OF Gen. Breckenridge on his tour
OF inspection in Cuba and Porto Rico At that
time It was discovered that officers OF tho In
spector- Generals Department were perform
ing inspection duty without the direct author
ity OF the Secretary Of War. A this inspection
necessitated some travelling by the officer. an
order was issued directing that transportation
should he granted Inspector Generals only
upon the authority OF the Secretary OF War.
Since then several other cases Of officers about
to perform inspection service that tho depart
ment did not consider was necessary or within
their authority have been brought to the atten-
ton OF Secretary Alger.
Only a short while ago an Inspector Gen.
eral was sent BY Gen. Breckenridge 10 make an
inspection Of some ordnance property about to
be condemned. Before he had completed his
work. however. orders were Issued from the
officers OF the Ordnance Bureau. Within the
last few days II was proposed by the lnspector-
General Of the army that the Inspector Gen.
erals of his department make Inspections OF
TRANSPORTS and their supplies. before their de-
liico and the Philippines This recommends
ton was made through official channels to he
Secretary OF War and by him referred to the
QuarterIaaster-G who has ~ super
| iers containing the recommendation were
| returned to the Inspector Generals office
| with the Endorsement that the TRANSPORT ser
| vice needed no inspection by his department
| with general superintendent. who has gen
eral supervision; a marine superintendent,
| who makes inspections OF marine Affairs; an
| engineer superintendent. who spects the ma
| transport. who reports regarding his depart
| mont and a commissary and Iuartermaster
| officer. who has charge Of food and quRrtermas-
| ter supplies. 1t was claimed that these officers
essary and that 1t was not seen that
the service could be benefited. by an
additional inspection by officers OF the In
| spector- Generals department. 1t In not known
| Of authority to direct these inspections indie
pendent of an order from the Secretary OF War.
! Inspector Generals are on duty a. each OF tho
| principal cities where the TRANSPORT service is
| established and as they receive their orders
| direct from the Inspector Genera Of the army
| II is not improbable that the issue will be
| raised by their attempting an inspection with
| out special orders to do 80.