The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-13

have been engaged in taking testimony.
1t has happened that ub-committees
have been occupied in hearing witnesses
at four different places at the same
time.
The commission visited in person most
of the old camps. AS rule the inspec-
ton was not only of camps, but of
troops and supplies. and much Valua-
BILE information was obtained by con-
tact with officers and enlisted men.
Carefully Investigated.
At all of these places we have in
vited, sometimes with special insistence,
every person to come before US and
testify who could throw any light on
the conduct of the war department in
any of it's branches. Any charge of cor
ruption or intimation of fraud or brib-
cry in connection with the letting of any
contract, even a hint of wrongdoing,
has been carefully investigated. 1t may
be said now, at the beginning of this re-
port, that there has been no evidence
before us that any one in or connected
with the war department has dishon-
estly received a dollar. We have made
persistent efforts to secure the attend
ance 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 attributed to
them or have maintained silence when
invited to tell what they knew.
Before proceeding to specific de-
scripton 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 logical consequence OF the in
quiry pursued by the commission. Re-
far n n 10 IF rat off
the report says:
Under existing laws the officers of
the army are retired when they reach
the age of "a. We have had before US
many suggestions made by officers on
the retired list, who are men of expert
ence and distinction, that the laws
should be amended SO as to give the
president the right to call into active
service any retired officer during the
time Of war. This right exists as to the
retired officers of the navy, and it seems
to us there is no reason why it should
not be extended to embrace army Off
GERS.
1T does not appear reasonable that
any arbitrary law should prevent, dur
ing the existence of war, the use of
| experienced men merely on account of
| their age. We think it would be wise to
| make it discretionary with the presi-
dent to use the officers on the 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 were filled by the appointment of
civilians ito which retired officers could
have brought professional training, val
| liable knowledge and large experience !"
In the matter of regimental officers
! the commission found that all volunteer
commands differed by men of military
| experience and training Jared much
| better than those Differed by amateurs.
| The soldiers We're more effectively cared
| for, enjoyed better health and were
better fed and clothed. The commission
recommends for the future strict ex-
animation into the qualifications of all
officers appointed to the army regular
or volunteer. The establishment of
schools of instruction for inexperienced
officers taken from civil life to meet the
emergency created by the war is heart
lily commended. Quite number of Of
| ficers assigned to the command of vol
| unteer troops adopted this expedient
and the results were eminently salts
factory. A most important criticism by
the commission is as follows:
Too Much Red Tape.
Routine work in the departments, in
our opinion, is far beyond what Is necss-
I.
The methods employed made it almost
impossible to transact business prompt
ly. The heads of all departments, Off
GERS of large depots, chiefs of staff de-
partments, 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 regulated con-
Germ or corporation could transact bust
ness satisfactorily under such regula-
tions as govern the staff departments.
| and the fact that every officer of each
| of the staff departments holding re-
| sponsible positions has been obliged to
| ignore routine demonstrates the neces-
| sity Of thorough reform"
Part One.
| The report now proceeds to take up
| the subjects in their regular order, be-
| ginning with the army.
ION the first day of April the strength
of the army was 2,143 officers and 6O40
enlisted men, total of 2s,1sS War
with the kingdom of Spain was declar-
ed April 81 1898. On May 81 1875, 900
volunteers had been mustered into the
service. In August, 1898, the regular
army numbered 1896, the volunteer
army 207,244, total of 263, 609.
These figures of themselves indicate
that an immense work was thrown up
vi Tie Wal AlteT ID years
of peace, during a great part of which
the army did not exceed $4,000 men, it
suddenly became necessary to arm,
clothe, feed and equip more than a
quarter of a million
How that duty was discharged will
appear in detail in subsequent parts of
this report. The sudden emergency
which called our people to arms after
an interval of half century of peace
| with all foreign powers was met by the
| war department with earnestness and
| energy. The situation found the coun-
try unprepared with any large stocks of
| arms, ammunition, clothing, supplies
| and equipments. That they were pro-
| Vided and the numerous demands on
| the Industries Of our people We're met
| so promptly will remain one of the
| marvels of history
| Speaking of the lessons taught by ex
| perience, the report says: THE rapidity
with which commanding officers of
| corps, divisions, brigades. regiments,
| and officers of the state departments,
| have profited by the first six months
,-t,N l.. =