The record-union., 1899-02-13


Chemicals Were Used in the
Heat Of Summer-Thinks It Inn
possible for Packing Houses to
Put Impure Meat on the
Market.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.-The re-
port submitted to the President last
Wednesday by the commission appoint
ed 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 except Colonel Sexton, whose
death occurred February 4th. AT the
close it says: "It is with profound re-
gret that the commission reports that
during its later sessions Colonel James
A. Sexton was prevented by sickness
from being present and on the 4th Oh
February our colleague closed an hon
ored and active life"
The report is a voluminous document
containing about $1,000 words and an
official abstract prepared by the Sec
retary of the commission was furnished
to the press for its convenience.
This abstract follows:
The commission organized on Sep
tember oath, electing General Gren-
vile NJ. Dodge President; Hon. Charles
DENLY, Vice President, and Richard
Weightman, Secretary.
General James A. Beaver was desig-
mated to conduct the examination OF
witnesses; Lieutenant Colonel F. B.
Jones, Chief Quartermaster of Volun-
teers, was detailed by the War Depart
ment as Disbursing Officer, and Major
Stephen C. Mills, U. S. A, was ap-
pointed by the President as Recorder.
On Monday, the 26th of September,
the commission convened in regular ses-
sion. Arrangements were made to ad-
nit to the rooms six journalists, three
of them representing the three estab-
1ished press associations Having only
two rooms at their disposal, the COM
mission could not throw these open to
the public indiscrimfnately All the
newspapers in the country, however,
had access. through the press associa-
tions, to the examination of witnesses
and the American people were served,
in respect of the proceedings of the
commission, exactly as they are served
in all other matters of public interest
from day to day.
Among the first acts of the commits
sion was to ask the Secretary of War.
the Adjutant General the Quartermas-
ter General. the Commissary General
and the Surgeon General to transmit
all the complaints received by them
touching the administration of their
respective departments This request
was promptly complied with, and from
that time forth all complaints were for
warded to the commission Immediately
upon their receipt at the War Depart
ment. In further pursuance of this
preparatory measure. the commission
on September 9th made public an in
yitation through the press to all per-
sons having knowledge or belief of any
official wrong or dereliction to submit
their statements in writing, accompa-
MED by such collateral proof or infor-
nation as might be at their disposal
This invitation met with liberal re-
sponse. Hundreds of affidavits let
fers. newspaper clippings, editorial ar
ticles and sermons were received, all
of which were thoroughly and labor
iously investigated. as will appear in
the testimony taken by the commission
and the various exhibits and appen-
dices to be published hereafter.
Next. the Secretary of War was re-
quested to direct the various chiefs of
departments under him to furnish the
commission with a statement of the
operations and condition of their re-
spective departments at the outbreak
of the war and of the same during the
period of hostilities.
This communication recited in detail
the subjects upon which information is
desired. comprising facts touching the
mobilization Of troops and their organ
ization; the amount and kind of camr
and garrison equipage on hand at the
beginning of the war, the amount SUBJ
sequently purchased, similar informa
ton with regard to furnishing the
troops with arms and accoutrements
information of how the volunteer reg
iments We're armed and equipped in
the various State camps, how the loca-
tion of the camps of general rendez-
vous was determined, full particulars
as to the transportation of troops. an
account of the quality, quantity and
kind of food furnished: information as
to the tentage, beds, linen, medicines
and all other necessities for the hospi.
tails; as to whether the medical staff
was efficient, and as to the conditions
and preparations of the Engineer and
Ordnance Departments.
These statements. promptly and intel
hgently made. were of great service in
the investigation of the character OF
text and reference books
Having thus arranged the preliminary
matters which seemed advisable to bs
determined, the commission resolved
that all charges specifically brought be-
fore it should be made the basis of the
examination of the witnesses who ha6
or professed to have knowledge of the
facts involved in such charges.
1t was further determined that in the
examination of witnesses the strici
rules of evidence as applied in lega
proceedings should not be adhered to
but considerable latitude should be al
lowed
While, therefore, in general. the rules
of evidence have been followed. We
have not hesitated to relax their appli
cation when though advisable.
During our sessions we have exam
ined 495 witnesses All of these wers
sworn or affirmed except one, who de.
clined to take the oath. The chief ex.
animation was conducted by the mem.