The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-13

of the Lessons Taught - Inc COM
manding General of the Army.
What was Lacking in the Conduct
of the War Miles "Embalmcd
Beef" Charge rot Sustained.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE report
submitted to the President last We'd
nesday by the commission appointed by
him to investigate the conduct Of the
war department in the war with Spain,
was made public tonight The report
Is an unanimous one, all the members
of the commission having signed it ex-
cept Colonel Sexton, whose death oc-
cured February 4. At It's close 1t says:
ut Is with profound regret that the
commission reports that during its
later sessions. Col. James \. Sexton
was prevented by sickness from being
present and on the 4tl day of February
our loved colleague closed an honorcd
and active life."
The report Is voluminous document
containing about $4,000 words and an
official abstract, prepared by the secrc-
tary of the commission, was furnished
to the press for its convenience.
This abstract says:
1t may be said now, at the beginning
of this report, that there has been no
evidence before us that any one in or
connected with the war department has
dishonesty received 4 dollar. We have
made persistent efforts to secure the
attendance of persons to whose names
rumor had attached an allegation that
they knew of corruption of officials in
the war department., but these men
have either denied the statements at
| tributed to them or have maintained
silence when invited TO tell what they
knew.
Before proceeding to specific de-
| scription OF the conduct and manage
| ment of the war, the report gives COM
| ments and suggestions touching certain
| matters which came under considera-
| ton as n logical consequence of the in
quiry pursued by the commission. Re-
ferrng to the question of retired OFF,
| GERS, the report says:
Under existing laws the officers of the
army are retired when they reach the
| age Of sixty-four. We have had before
us many suggestions made by officers
on the retired list who are men of eN-
| pcriercc and DISTINCTION, that this law
should be so amended as to give to the
| President the riGh. 10 call into active
| service any retired officer during the
time of war This right exists as TO the
\ retired officers of the navy and 1t seems
to us there is no reason why it should
| not be extended 10 embrace retired
f-aPmy officers. 80. ss,. -.
1t does not appear reasonable that an
arbitrary law should prevent. during
| the existence of war. the use of expert
cEced men merely on account of their
age. We think 1t would be wise 10
make 1t discretionary with the Presi-
dent to use the officers on tile retired
list for filling positions during war and
not trench on the active organization
that may be needed In the field
| During the recent war many posi- :.
tions We're filed by the appointment of
civilians 10 which retired officers could
have brought: professional training
valuable knowledge and large expert
cnce.
| In the matter OF rcginlcntai officers,
the commission found that all volunteer
commands Onlcered by men of military
experience and training Jared much
better than those oiIicered by amateurs.
! The soldiers were more effectively cared
| for, enjoyed better health and We're bet
ter fed and clothd.
One of the Lessons Taught.
A recommendation looking to the ru-
ture then follows:
zone Of the lessons taught by the war
is that the country should hereafter be
III a better state OF preparation Tor
war Suggestions have been made that
large supplies of all the material not
| liable to deterioration should be kept on
hand to be continuously issued and re-
| nowed. SO that in any emergency they
| might be available. Especially should
this be the case with such supplies
which cannot be rapidly obtained in
| open market"
| Perhaps the most significant utter
ance In the whole document so far as
concerns the discipline and efficiency OF
the army comes next:
For many years the divided author
ity and responsibility in the war depart
| mcnt has produced friction. for which,
In the interest or the service, n remedy
| If possible. should be applied. The con-
stiiut!on makes the President the COM
| mandcr-in-chlef OF the army. and he
cannot transfer that authority to any
| other person. The President selects his
| secretary OF war. who has his copn-
| denCc, and who Is his confidential ad-
| wiser. The commanding general Is as
| signed t6 duty as such By the President
| and under the military laws of the
| United States his duties are defined as
follows:
THE command exercised by the COM
mandips general of the army, not hoy-
ing been made the subject Of statutory
regulation is determined by the order
OF assignment. 1t has been habituallv
composed OF the aggregate of the sew
cral territorial commands that hnye
been or may be created by the Presi-
| dent.
"The military establishment IS under
orders OF the commanding general OF
| the army in that which pertains 10 ita
discipline and military control, The
| fiscal affairs of the army are conductet
by the secretary Of war through tho
several staff departments.
"All orders and instruction from tho
President or secretary OF war relating.
10 military operations or affecting thc
military control and discipline OF tho
army VIII be promulgated through Tho
commanding general"
Lieutenant General SchofcId. VEIN
has probably had rs much experience
and given the question us much thought
ana study as any one In our country
says In substance:
The Commanding General.
Recent experience has served ,to con-
I firm all the results OF my lifelong study
ana large experience that the proper
position for the senior officer Of Tho
army on duty at Washington Is not thot
OF commanding general. position
which IL practically Impossible. but