The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-13
] investigation Commission Report Con-
dones All Shortcomings.
IA WAS NOT CHEMICALLY TREATED
10y Of Cen Miles Is Not Supported BY the Evidence and
\ .u..esses Swore that the Meat Was Pure and Good.

ment. but these men have either denied
the statements attributed to them or have
maintained silence when invited to tell
what they knew.
Before proceeding to specinc descrip-
ton Of the conduct and management of
the war the report gives comments and
suggestions touching certain matters which
came under consideration as a logical con-
sequence of the inquiry pursued by the
commission.
Referring 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 g.. We have had before us many sug.
gestions made by officers OH the retired
list. who are men Of experience and dis
tinction. that this law should be so
amended as TO give to the president the
right to call into active service any re-
tired officers of the navy, and it seems to
Us there Is no reason why 1t should not be
extended to embrace retired army Of
fcers.
It docs not appear reasonable that an
arbitrary law should prevent, during tho
existence Of war. the use of experienced
men merely on account of their age. We
think it would be wise to make it discre-
tionary with the president to use the Of
ficers on the retired list for filling posi-
tions during war and not trench on the
active organization that may be needed
In the field.
During the recent war many positions
were filled by the appointment OF civilians
to which retired officers could havo
brought professional training, valuable
knowledge and experience.
In the matter of regimental officers the
commission found that all volunteer COM
mands. differed by men of military cx-
pertence and training, Jared much better
tlan those Differed by amateurs. The
soldiers were more effectively cared for,
enjoyed better health and were better fed
and clothed.
The commission recommends for the fu-
ture a strict examination into the qualitl-
cations of all officers appointed to the
army, regular or volunteer. The estab-
lishmsnt Of schools OF instruction for in
experienced officers taken from civilian
life to meet the emergency created by the
war is highly commended.
Quite number of regular officers as
signed to the command of volunteer troops
adopted this cxpedient and the results
were eminently satisfactory. 4 most Inn
portant criticism by the commission is as
follows:
The routine work in the departments,
IN our opinion, is far beyond what Is NEG
essary, and each year seems to increase It..
The methods employed make 1t almost
impossible to transact business promptly.
The heads OF all departments. officers OF
large depots. chiefs Of staff, department
corps and divisions, have necessarily been
obliged to give the time and attention to
details which should have been given to
matters of larger moment. No we'll regu-
lated concern or corporation could trans
act business satisfactorily under such reg
ulatl0ns as govern the staff departments.
And the fact that every officer of each OF
the staff departments, holding responsible
positions, has been obliged to ignore rou-
tine matters demonstrates the necessity
OF thorough reform.
| The report then proceeds to take up the
subjects in their regular order, beginning
| with the army.
ION April /, 1898. the strength OF tn,
army was 2143 officers and 26.040 enlisted
men, total OF 2S,1S3. War with the king
dom of Spain was declared April 81. 1898
"On May 81, 100000 volunteers had beer
mustered into the service. In August
! 1898, the regular army numbered $685.
the volunteer army 207,244--a total Of 263.
| 609."
| These figures themselves indicate tina
an immense work was thrown upon thu
war department. After thirty-three year.
of peace. during great part of which th'
army did not exceed $4,000 men, 1t sud
denly became necessary to arm, clothe
| feed and equip more than quarter of I
million.
How that duty was discharged will ap
pear in detail in subsequent parts OF th
report. The sudden emergency which call
| ed our people to arms after an interval o
half o. century of peace with all foreigl
powers was met by the war department
| with earnestness and energy The sit
uation In this country was that we wer
unprepared, without any large stock o
arms. ammunition, clothing, supplies o
equipments. That they were duly provides
and that the numerous demands on tn
industries of our people were met s.
promptly will remain ono OF the marvel
| OF history.
Speaking OF the lessons taught by expe
riepce. the report says:
1.-THE rapidly with which commandln
| officers of corps, divisions, brigadcs. reg
iments and officers OF the staff department
have profited by the first six months scrvlc
camps, their location, water supply an
sanitary arrangements The weak spots II
the first arrangements for camping troop
/ were soon discovered and II was learne
that with proper system and little expens
they could be camped under favorable san
litary conditions. The present camps ar
models the hospitals adapted to the car
and comfort Of the sick the grounds clea
and the sanitary condition is greatly i'm
proved. The troops are now moved wit
promptness. without friction and VII
more rapidity than at the beginning ~ N
war. These improvements nave come rro'
experience and the new armv now ~ IA
advanced In facilities for feeding. equip
i ping. camping and transportation"
The Recommendation looking to the fu
lture then follows:
One of the lessons taught by the war
that the country should hereafter be 10
better state of preparation for war. Sue
| gestions have been made that large sup
lnlies Of all the material not liable 70 dc
| terioration should be kept on hand. to
continually issued and renewed, SO that !
any emergency they might be available
Trpeclallv should this be the case wit
such supplies which can not he rapidly OF
tanned in open market.
4 Perhaps 10 most significant utterance J
the whole document. SO far as concern
The discipline and efficiency OF the arpi'
comes next. .,,
For many years the divided authoril
| and responsibility In the war deparlmei
has produced friction. for which. IN me ~
teresf OF the service. a remedy. u posk'ol'
should be applied. The constitution mahf
i Inc president commander In CHIEF o. y
army and he can not transfer thar autnol
tn To any other person. The presidei
selects his secretary OF war. Who nes p
confidence and who Is his conndent'ai g
wiser The commanding genera !
| signed to duty ~ such by the pssSssa