Indianapolis Journal, Volume 49, Number 44, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 February 1899 — Page 2

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dlately upon Hearing the testimony of Dr. Daly, on the Doth of January, telegrams were sent to all Issuing commissaries in Cuba, Porto Rico and at the various homo camps occupied by troops, asking that samples of refrigerated beef be at once taken, placed In glass Jars, securely sealed and forwarded to the commission. These samples were to be of one pound weight from the outside and one pound weight from the inside of a quarter. In response to this request many samples have been received and later sent to the chemists of the Agricultural and Interior Departments for careful chemical examination. The result of the analyses has been reported to us in twentynine cases, and, as will be seen by the reports appended, in no specimen examined has either boracic or salicylic acid or other deleterious chemicals been fourjd. "In view of the facts above set forth the commission is of the opinion- that no refrigerated beef furnished by contractors and issued to the troops during the war with Spain was subjected to or treated with any chemicals by the .contractors or those in their employ. CANNED MEATS. "In considering * questions concerning canned meats it is not the duty of the commission to inquire into the character, kind or condition of all the canned meats tha* may be in use in this country. Our specific duty is to give an opinion as to the quality of those furnished the soldiers during the recent war with Spain. There has been neither allegation nor proof before us that boracic or salicylic, or any other acid, has been used in the canned meats furnished to the troops, but such meats have nevertheless been greatly criticised and they have, for that reason, been tested by us and have been analyzed under our direction. and we have taken a great deal of testimony as to the mode of their preparation. The canned meat is ordinarily taken from the forequarters of beeves.” The Agricultural Department’s official report on the methods employed by the packing houses, as required under the inspection regulations, is Incorporated. The commission’s report shows that a number of officers testified that the canned beef was unpalatable. It is also elicited that in a tropical country, where it is subjected to intense heat, the meat presents a repulsive appearance at first. Furthermore, it transpires that occasionally an inferior article is found. But the records of the army prove that canned beef has been used for many years, and on Oct. 19, 1897, the following official statement was issued from the adjuvant general's office, addressed to W. Clarke Marshall, Produce Exchange, Chicago: "Sir—l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 19th ult. to the secretary of war, giving information regarding the proper food to be taken to the sufferers in Alaska, and also for the subsistence of the troops there, and ascribing the sickness in that locality to the use of salt meats, and in reply thereto the secretary of war desires me to call attention to the following remarks of the medical department of the army, in which the major general commanding the army concurs: ’Canned meats put up by reputable firms aro wholesome ar.d have the full nutritive value of the meat contents, and in the absence of fresh meat are to be preferred to any of the three substitutes suggested by the writer. Meat, when salted, loses a certain proportion of its albuminoids and extractives, but what remains is valuable as food and has no specific Influence in the production of scurvy. With hard bread, bacon, pea meal and an occasional issue of fresh beef, or, in its absence, canned meat, a dietary of a satisfactory force value can be provided. To these there should be added, for the prevention of scurvy, occasional issues of potatoes, onions or canned vegetables. or, In their unavoidable absence, desiccated vegetables and dried fruits.” This was signed by W. H. Carter, assistant adjutant general, and mailed on Oct. 19, 1897. All the above In quotation is the Indorsement upon the letter of Mr. Marshall, signed by C. Smart, deputy surgeon general of the United States army. The indorsement of the major general commanding is in the following words: “Washington, Oct. 18, 1897. “The major general commanding concurs in the remarks of the deputy surgeon general; fourth indorsement. “J. C. GILMORE, “Assistant Adjutant General.” The “major general commanding” here referred to is MaJ. Gen. Nelson A. Miles.

PRELIMINARY WORK. How the Commission Set About to Learn the Truth. The commission organized on Sept. 24, electing Gen. Grenville M. Dodge president, Hon. Charles Denby vice president and Mr. Richard Welghtman secretary. Gen. James A. Beaver was designated to conduct the examination of witnesses, Lieut. Col. E. B. Jones, chief quartermaster of volunteers, was detailed by the War Department as disbursing officer, and Maj. Stephen C. Mills, United States army, was appointed by the President as recorder. On Monday, Sept. 26, the commission convened in regular session. Arrangements were made to admit to the rooms six journalists, three of them representing the three established press associations. Having only two rooms at their disposal the commission could not throw these open to the public indiscriminately. All the newspapers In the country, however, had access, through the press associations, 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 commission was to ask the secretary of war, the adjutant general, the quartermaster 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 forwarded to the commission immediately on their receipt at the War Department. In further pursuance of this preparatory measure, the commission, on Sept. 27, made public invitation through the press to all persons having knowledge or belief of any official wrong or dereliction to submit their statements in writing, accompanied by such collateral proof or information as might be at their disposal. This invitation met with a liberal response. Hundreds of affidavits, letters, newspaper clippings, editorial articles and sermons were received, all of which w'ere thoroughly and laboriously investigated, as will appear in the testimony taken by the commission and the various exhibits and apendices to be published hereafter. Next, the secretary of war was requested to direct the various chiefs of department under him to furnish the commission with a statement of the conditions of their respective departments at the outbreak of the war, and the operations of the same during the period of hostilities. SCOPE OF THE INQUIRY. This communication recited in detail the subjects on which information was desired, comprising facts touching the mobilization of troops and their organization; the amount and kind of camp and garrison equipage on hand at the beginning of the wur, the amount subsequently purchased; similar information with regard to furnishing the troops with arms and accoutrements; information as to which of the volunteer regiments were armed and equipped in the various state camps; how the location of the camps of general rendezvous was determined; lull particulars as to the transportation furnished; Information as to the tentage, beds, linen, meuieines and all other necessaries for tho hospitals; as to whether the medical staff was efficient and as to the conditions and ot*erations ot the engineer and ordnance departments. These statements, promptly and intelligently made, were of great service in the investigation in the character of text and reference nooks. Having thus arranged the preliminary matters which seemed advisable to be determined, the commission resolved that all charges specifically brought before it should be made the basis of the examination of witnesses who had or professed to have knowledge of the facts involved in such charges. "It was further determined,” says the report, "that in the examination of witnesses the strict rules of evidence as applied In legal proceedings should not be adhered to, but considerable latitude should be allowed. While, therefore, in general the rules of evidence have been followed, we have not hesitated to relax their application when thought advisable. During our sessions we examined 495 witnesses. All of these were sw’orn or affirmed except one, who declined to take the oath. The chiet examination was conducted by the member designated for that purpose, but each witness was Interrogated by every member of the commission who desired to do so. PEOPLE WHO WERE EXAMINED. "Our purpose, In the discharge of our duties. was to arrive at the facts touching the conduct of the war, and no effort was spared by us to reach that result We have examined the secretary of war, the commanding generals, heads of departments, officers •f corps, divisions, brigades, regiments and ootapanies; noncommissioned officers and privates; nurses, and parsons from many

employments in private life. No man or woman who has stated to us that he or she had any material matter touching the subject of our inquiry to communicate has been refused hearing. "All tho members of the commission have been engaged in taking testimony. It has happened that subcommittees have been occupied in hearing witnesses at four different places at the same time. The commission visited in person most of the old camps. Asa rule, the Inspection was not only of camps but of troops and supplies, and much valuable information was obtained by contact with officers and enlisted men. At all of these places we have invited, 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 its branches. "Any charge of corruption or intimation of fraud or bribery in connection with the letting of any contract, even a hint of wrong doing, has been carefully investigated. It 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 dishonestly received a dollar. We have made persistent efforts to sedure the attendance of persons to whose names rumor had attached an allegation that thev knew of corruption of officials in the War Department, but these m< n have either denied the statements attributed to them or have maintained silence when invited to tell what they knew.” COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS. Before proceeding to a specific description of the conduct and management of the war, the report gives comments and suggestions touching certain matters which came under consideration as a logical consequence or the inquiry pursued by the commission. Referring to the question of retired officers, the report says: "Under existing laws the officers of the army are retired when they reach the ago of sixty-four. We have had before us many suggestions made of officers on the retired list, who are men of experience and distinction, that this law should be so amended as to give to 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 retired army officers. "It does not appear reasonable that an arbitrary law should prevent, during 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 President to use the officers on the retired list for tilling positions during war and not trench on the active organization that may be needed in the field. During tho recent war many positions were filled by the appointment of civilians to which retired officers could have brought professional training, valuable knowledge and large experience.” In the matter of regimental officers the commission found that all volunteer commands officered by men of military experience and training fared much better than those officered by amateurs. The soldiers were more effectively cared for, enjoyed better health and were better fed and e.othcd. Tho commission recommends for the future a strict examination into the qualifications of all officers appointed to the army, regular or volunteer. The establishment of schools of instruction for inexperienced officers taken from civilian life to meet the emergency created by the war is highly commended. Quite a number of lar officers assigned to the command of volunteer troops adopted this expedient and tho results were eminently satisfactory. A most important criticism by the commission is as follows: “The routine work in the departments, in oar opinion, is far beyond what is necessary, and each year seems to increase it. The methods employed make it almost impossible to transact business promptly. The heads of till departments, officers of large depots, chiefs of staff, departments, 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 well-regulated concern or corporation couid' transact business satisfactorily under such regulations 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 routine demonstrates the necessity of a thorough reform.”

SOME OF THE LESSONS TAUGHT. Better State of Preparetion Necessary —■Too Much Divided Responsibility. The report now' proceeds to take up the subjects in their regular order, beginning with the army. The report says: "On the first day of April, 1898, the strength of the army was 2,143 officers and 26,040 enlisted men, a total of 25.183. War with the kingdom of Spain was declared April 21, IS9B. On May 31, 123,000 volunteers had been mustered into the service. In August, IS9S, the regular army numbered 5G.3G5, the volunteer army 207,244, a total of 263,609. These figures of themselves indicate that an immense work was thrown on the War Department. After thirty-three years of peace, during a great part of which the army did not exceed 26,000 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 a century of peace with all foreign powers was met by the War Department with earnestness and energy. The situation found the country unprepred with any large stock of arms, ammunition, clothing, supplies and equipments. That they were duly provided and that the numerous demands on the industries of our people were met so promptly will remain one of the marvels of history.” Speaking of the lessons taught by experience, the report says: "The rapidity with which commanding officers of corps, divisions, brigades, regiments and officers of the staff departments have profited by the first six v months’ service is shown in the improvements in the new camps, their location, water supply and sanitary arrangements. The weak spots in the first arrangements for camping trbops were soon discovered, and it was learned that with proper system and little expense they could be camped under favorable sanitary conditions. The present camps are models, the hospitals adapted to the comfort and care of the sick, the grounds clean, and the sanitary conditions greatly improved. The troops are now moved with promptness, without friction and with more rapidity than in the beginning of the war. These improvements have come from experience and the new army now is far advanced in facilities for feeding, equipping, camping and transportation.” A recoir.mtdation looking to the future then follows: “One of the lessons taught by the war is that tho country should hereafter be in a better state of preparation for war. Suggestions have beer, trade that large supplies of all the material not liable to deterioration should he kept on hand, to be continuously issued and renewed, 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. “it is jp-atifying to report that most valuable assistance to our soldiers during the war was rendered by various voluntary relief associations, the more conspicuous of which were the American National Red Cross, the National Relief Commission, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Army and Navy League and the Young Men’s Christian Association. Representatives of these and other societies worked in co-operation with many good men and women in all the States and w'ere present in the camp, hospital and on the field of oattfe. To these societies and those who co-operated with them the country owes a debt of gratitude. There were many individual Instances of personal devotion to the interest of the soldiers. We do not name these beneficent laborers here, but they will not be forgotten.” DIVIDED AUTHORITY.. Perhaps the most significant utterances in the whole document, so far as concerns the discipline and efficiency of the army, comes next: "For many years the divided authority and responsibility in the War Department has produced friction, for which, in the Interest of the service, a remedy, if possible, should be applied. The Constitution makes the President the commander-in-chief of the army, and he cannot transfer that authority to any other person. The President selects his secretary of war, who has his confidence and who is his confidential adviser. The commanding general Is assigned to 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 commanding general of the army, not having been made the subject of statutory regulation. is determined by the order of assignment. It has been habitually composed of the aggregate of the several territorial commands tht have been or ntuy be created by the ITesid nt. “ ‘The mbit try establishment is under orders of the commanding general of the army in that which pertains to its discipline and military control. The fiscal affairs of th army are conducted by the secretary of war through the several staff departments. [Par. 187, A. R„ 1895.1 " "All orders and instructions from tbs

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1899.

President or secretary of war relating t< military operations or affecting the military control and discipline of the army will be promulgated through the commanding general. [Par. 188, A. R.. 1895.]’ "Lieutenant General Schofield, who has probably had as much experience and given the question as much thought and study as any one in our country, says, in substance: “ ‘Recent experience has served to confirm all the results of my lifelong study and large experience that the proper position for the senior officer of the army on duty at Washington is not that of commanding general, a position which is practically impossible, but that of general-in-chief, which means in fact chief of staff to the President. The title of general-in-chief was a permanent one during the entire history of the country up to the time when General Grant became lieutenant general. “ ‘When I became the commanding general I addressed to the President a letter, in which I pointed out to him what had been the result of my study and experience, and saying that the only way was to abandon entirely, which I did during my seven years of Service, all pretense of being the commanding general and content myself with acting as tho chief of staff of the army under the secretary of war and the President. The result was that perfect harmony prevailed during my time and I did exercise a legitimate influence in command of the army, this because I did not claim to exercise anything which the law did not give me.’ ’The President must have the same power of selection of his general-in-chief as h has of his secretary of war; without this there can be no guaranty that he will give, or that the secretary of war will place In the general-in-chie,f that confidence which is necessary to perfect harmony. Neither the President nor the secretary of war should have in the command of the armv an officer who is not working in harmony with him.” THE WAR DEPARTMENT. secretary Algor Not Pecuniarily Interested In Any Contracts. The report now takes up the War Department and its various chiefs of subdivisions, beginning with the secretary of war. "The records of the War Department which have been laid before us,” says the report, "show that tho secretary of war extended to all chiefs of bureaus cordial and full support, and promptly responded to every proper demand made upon him by commanding officers. No testimony has been presented showing Intentional neglect of duty nor any attempt to serve personal interests. The charges made that the secretary of war was pecuniarily interested in contracts, purchases and other transactions of the War Department have been thoroughly examined and found baseless. "In tho judgment of the commission there was lacking in the general administration of tho War Department during the continuance of the war with Spain that complete grasp of the situation which was essential to the highest efficiency and discipline of the army. The commission has refrained from criticising certain of tne heads of bureaus for not having acted with foresight in preparing their various departments for active war before war was actually declared, because it has appeared that the national defense tund provided by the act of March 9, 1898, was not made available for use except for the navy ar.d for coast defense and the expenditures incident thereto until after the declaration of war.”

Adjutant General’s Department. Under the heading "Adjutant General’s Department, Brig. Gen. H. C. Corbin, Adjutant General United States Army, in Charge,” the report says: “This department, which was organized and trained to tako earo of a small regular army, was required to rapidly provide for organizing and mustering in 250,0tX> soldiers and within six months to muster out 100,000. The adjutant general’s department of the arrry having fun knowledge of the condition of the army when the declaration of war was made, it could not be surprised by the inability of the departments to immediately respond to the demands. The economy of previous years, by whieh nearly every article of equipment not immediately needed by the army was disposed of and no provision made for emergencies, rendered immediate etfective expansion of the army impossible. In the organization of the army for active duty provision was made for eight corps, seven of whieh wex-e fully equipped and placed in the field. “The suggestion has been made and opinion given that it would have been better to have organized the army and equipped the troops in each of their States before they were concentrated and mobilized into brigades, divisions and corps, but the War Department had not the officers to send to each State to organize, muster, feed and equip them nor had it officers of sufficient rank to command, drill and discipline the troops while *n state camps. Early removal of regiments irom state camps has the advantage of avo.dmg the disturbing influences of home locality. “During the organization and equipment of the army a daily report by telegraph from each camp was received. Where important deficiencies were reported the secretary of war called attention to the fact and in most cases it was tound that such deficiencies were due to the nonexistence of the articles. There were about 250 regiments, batteries and separate organizations in the army, from only twenty-five of which came complaints, aside from those affecting the medical department. Investigation has shown that the most of these complaints were because of lack of supplies not obtainable at first, or were due to the inexperience of officers in command, not, so far as we can discover, from any intentional neglect. It was found necessary to go outside and appoint officers from civil life, the selections being frequently made from officers who had experience in the National Guard, graduates from military colleges and schools and citizens whose business or professions fitted them for the positions for which they were selected. The testimony shows that they were honest and manifested a desire to become efficient in their duties. No one has been court-martialed and but few dropped as incompetent. “The adjutant general testified that there had not been a deficiency of one dollar reported on the part of a volunteer staff officer, and that he wished to make it a matter of record that in the distribution of many millions of dollars during this war there was yet to be made the first charge of defalcation against an army officer, regular or volunteer. “There have been very few complaints against this department. The records and testimony show that it has been prompt in its work and has added greatly to the efficiency of the army.” Inspector General’s Department. The department of Brig. Gen. J. C. Breckinridge, inspector general, U. S. A., is next taken up. “The commission,” says the report, “finds that tho Inspector general’s department was net as efficient as it ought to have been. There seems to have been question as to the authority by which inspections were to be ordered. On at least one occasion, May 17, the secretary of war instructed the major general commanding the army to inspect certain camps, viz., those at . ~h lc, k amau ga, Atlanta, New Orleans, Mobile, Tampa, Miami and Key West. The major general did not act upon such instructions, stating: it to be his place to order inspection. Further, the commission that, although several of the officers of this department were assigned to duty in command of troops in the field, stfil competent officers were left in charge of the department in W ashington to perform such duties as were assigned to them. The organization in the field was ample, and the inspectors made reports to the commanding officers to whom they had been assigned Those reports were often not acted upon and were not forwarded to the War Department.” Quartermaster's Department. .The report sa>s, concerning the quartermaster general’s department, in charge of Brig. Gen. M. I. Ludington, of the United States army: “On March 1, 1898, with the possibility of war with Spain, the quartermaster’s department found Itself charged with varied, numerous and important duties, its appropriation small, and facing the probability of a large army being soon organized for field service. The department, up to March 1, 1898, found itself confronted with Sections 3679, 3732 and 3709 of the Revised Statutes, which prohibit any government depfß-tment from expending money in excess of appropriations, that purchases shall not exceed the necessities of the current year, and that all proposals shall be advertised. It will thus be observed that the declaration of war threw upon ihe quartermaster’s department an amount of labor and responsibility for which it was neither physically nor financially prepared. ”1. Clothing, Camp and Garrison Equipage.—The department has reported that on April 1. 1898, it was amply provided with ail necessary clothing and equipage supplies for three months for the army as then organized. It appears that within a few weeks it became necessary to provide for clothing and equipping an army of more than a quarter of a million of men. So soon as funds were available, so soon as war was Inevitable, so soon as law permitted, the

quartermaster’s department undertook this enormous work. That the quartermaster general threw the energy of his department into this work when funds were available seems evident, and that his officers labored faithfully in their efforts to aid him is plain to those who have carefully studied their work. ’’ln spite of every effort there were occasions where troops suffered from poor tentage or from lack of tentage and absence of straw for bedding where clothing was scarce, and troops suffered discomfort for lack of shoes, shirts and other articles of apparel. This was noticed even as late as October in the camps at Anniston. Huntsville and Lexington, while at Huntsville, Ala., and Fort Monroe, Va.. in spite of cool nights, there was a lack of stoves In the hospitals, and at Huntsville the supply of wood was short. With some of the troops sent from San Francisco to Manila the deficiency in shoes of proper sizes continued even up to Aug. 31. “At Santiago the deficiency at the front appears to have been caused rather from lack of transportation from the coast than from lack of clothing and tentage, a supply of which was on the transports. Great complaint was made of lack of transportation facilities at tho camp at Montauk Point, N. Y. "Many complaints were made in reference to unnecessary delays and lack of promptness on the part of the quartermaster's department in moving regiments and in the care of sick and convalesetnts returning home, either with their regiments or alone. CONGESTION AT TAMPA. “Great complaint was made of tho railroad congestion at Tampa and the absolute lack of ability to bring order out of chaos at that place during the early part of the period of its occupancy by troops. The major general commanding has stated that supplies for 70,000 men for ninety days were ordered there, and the confusion on the railroad when he reached Tampa was very great, 1,000 cars being sidetracked, some of them as far back as Columbia, S. C. It is stated that in the hurry and rush attending the commencement of this work the contents of cars were unknown at Tampa; that bills of lading were not forwarded, and that it seemed impossible for a time to determine where absolutely necessary articles were located. Colonel Bird, of the quartermaster's department, testifies that this was corrected later on, when the contents of cars w'ere clearly marked upon them and bills of lading promptly forwarded. “The condition of the railroad congestion during the early portion of the time Tampa w'as occupied by troops seems unparalleled, showing an almost inexcusable lack of executive ability on the part of those charged with the loading, unloading and handling of the trains. Colonel Bird and General Humphrey testify that there were very poor facilities for transferring troops and supplies arriving at Tampa via the Florida Central Railroad to the Plant system, leading direct to Port Tampa. Order was finally brought out of chaos, the cars unloaded. the congestion overcome, and a vast amount of supplies of every character delivered at this immense encampment. "Congestion also occurred at Chickamauga Park, probably with not so serious results as at Tampa, but complaint was made that materials of different classes, belonging to different departments, were frequently packed in the same car, rendering it necessary to remove large packages of quartermaster’s or commissary stores in order to obtain the smaller packages ot medicines and medical supplies. There w’as also congestion and confusion in connection with the railroad facilities between the oth and 15th of August at Camp Wikoff. THE TRANSPORT SERVICE.

"Water Transportation— I The testimony shows that the first call upon the quartermaster’s department was for ships to transport 5.000 men to Cuba, and that soon after the call was increased and demand made for steamers to transport 25,000. Upon loading these vessels, concentrated at Port Tampa, it was found that their capacity had been largely overrated, and it was impossible to carry upon them, without great discomfort and danger, more than 16,000 men, with their equipments, artillery, ammunition, subsistence, medical supplies and 2.295 animals for a voyage of 1,000 miles. Even with this reduction the vessels appear to have been crowded. In spite of the efforts of the quartermaster’s department, many of these vessels were poorly equipped with sleeping accommodations: the sinks in manv instances were inconvenient and insufficient, and some of the vessels were badly ventilated and filled with disagreeable odors. It has been stated that, had the fleet encountered a severe storm while en route for Cuba, the discomfort would have been intense and there might have been loss of life. “The quartermaster’s department ought to have been able to more thoroughly equip these vessels, and surely it should have been more certain of their carrying capacity. A sufficient number of vessels for transporting 25,04*0 men, with tho required lighters for their disembarkation, should have been promptly furnished, even had such action rendered necessary the seizure of every steamer on the Atlantic and gulf coasts sailing under the American flag. Testimony shows that the vessels were not loaded systematically. A battery, with its guns and horses, would be placed on one vessel and its ammunition on another. The Second, Seventh and Seventeenth regular infantry were each divided up, and portions in each case sent on three different vessels. “The fleet of transports arrived safely at Daiquiri, but the failure to provide a full and sufficient number of lighters for disembarkation of troops, supplies and artillery caused delay, anxiety, annoyance and danger, and, had there been serious storms, or had the landing been opposed by a vigilant and well-trained force of the enemy, the result might have been far different. “Contracts—Contracts covering millions of dollars were made by the quartermaster’s department during the period between April 1 and Oct. 1, and, although indefinite charges have from time to time been made of fraud and collusion, no evidence has been produced before the commission to substantiate these charges, although the parties making them have been invited to appear. The report refers to the statement telegraphed to the commission by the New York World that it had collected many facts of alleged influences exerted to affect the awarding of w'ar contracts and asked the World to submit this matter to the commission. In a letter replying the World stated thajt having watched the proceedings of the commission and noticing that it had neither till power to compel the attendance of witnesses nor protect those who had volunteered their testimony, the witnesses to the facts discovered by the World were unwilling to submit to an ex parte examination and the World deemed it best to await the conditional investigation w r hich it hoped w'ould be ordered and conducted with a determined purpose and adequate authority to bring to light all the facts. MEDICAL SUPPLIES. "Transportation of medical supplies and of sick and wounded soldiers—lt is somewhat difficult to follow up the transportation of medical supplies. Large quantities were purchased by the surgeons in charge of the medical depots in New York, St. Louis and San Francisco carefully boxed. The supplies were sometimes sent by express, thus insuring their more prompt delivery. The delay in some instances in securing medical supplies at Santiago seems to have been partially due to carelessness in loading them on the transports. This is shown in the case of the steamship La Grande Duchess, which left Charleston, S. C., July 20. On loading the vessel at Ponce on July 28 a large supply of medical stores was found in her destined for General Shafter’s army at Santiago. The vessel was ordered to Santiago July 31. The steamers Seneca and Concho were used as hospital ships for the return of sick and wounded from Santiago in July. Their conditions for this purpose were very unsuitable. "Land transportation of the command during the Santiago campaign—Owing to the lack of necessary transports the meat* of land transportation during the Santiago campaign was painfully deficient. General Shatter testifies that he could carry no more on his transports from Tampa; that he realized that he would have very few ambulances, but that wagons could be used for transportation both of the wounded find of supplies, while ambulances could be employed only for one purpose. General Humphrey testifies that no more land transportation was taken simply because the vessels were fully loaded. The testimony shows that the transports arrived off tlse south coast of Cuba near Santiago on June 21; that the pack trains were landed on June 22: that the first wagons were landed on June 25. and that the landing of the latter was continued more rapidly than they could be set up on shore, and that, in fact, some of those that were ianded were never set up at all. General Chaffee testifies that on July 1 at the battle of El Caney, ten days after the arrival of the fleet, there were no ambulances or wagons available, and that the roads w'ere so horrible that they could not reach the front. “It is plainly evident that this army of 17,000 men, disembarked in the face of an enemy in a hostile country and rapidly thrown forward against a well-armed force, was painfully deficient in land transportation. but in spite of the absence of this almost absolutely necessary portion of the equipment of a well-trained command it drove the enemy before it. captured their outposts, pushed them behind their main defenses, drove their fleet from Santiago bay to absolute destruction as it faced tne navy of our country and finally, after gallant fighting under u tropical eun, amidst oiofit adverse conditions, captured a strongly

fortified city and received as prisoners of war over 23,000 Spanish soldiers. Subsistence Department. In regard to the subsistence department Brig. Gen. Charles P. Eagan, commissary general United States army in charge, the report says: “The commission has carefully investigated the subject of the condition, quality and quantity of food supplied to the army. Almost without exception it has been shown by the testimony taken that wherever the troops were ordered, whether to the various camps in the United State or in Porto Rico, Cuba and Manila, the rations prescribed by law were on the transports and at the camps with the soldiers. “So far as we have been able to ascertain there was but one occasion, that of a day in front of Santiago, when the troops were seriously short of rations. These had been supplied but thrown aside when the men went into action, and the condition of roads and lack of transportation prevented prompt reissue. At times the vegetable ration was not of good quality, the potatoes and onions being spoiled. Condemned by a board of survey, such vegetables were destroyed and an equivalent part of the ration Issued. Some trouble occurred because such vegetables and other damaged food were disposed of by the company without the warrant of a board of survey. This was done through ignorance, their officers not knowing what was necessary to be done.” [The commission here discusses the re-frigerated-beef charges, a feature of the report which has been transferred by the editor to another column.] The work of the signal corps is highly commended. The Pay Department . Os the pay department, Brig. Gen. T. H. Stanton in charge, the report says: “The principal delay in the payment of troops was in Cuba and Porto Rico. In Cuba the colonels of some of the regiments did not desire their regiments paid there, and Major General Shafter, commanding the army there, approved their requests. There has been complaint, made as to the payment of the army in Porto Rico. Ten paymasters, with Major General Miles, commanding the army, telegraphed not to have them sent to Porto Rico, as the money might be infected, although it had never been landed from the vessels. So far as the commission can ascertain all the officers of the pay department have performed their duties promptly and efficiently.” Corps* of Engineer*. Concerning tho engineer department ond corps of engineers. Brig. Gen. John M. Wilson, United States army, in charge, the commission says: “Wherever officers of this corps have been assigned to duty the testimony shows that they have acted with great promptness and to the great benefit of the service. The testimony of commanding officers of campaigns, troops and camps has been in high praise of the services of the corps of engineers.” Ordnance Department. Brief reference is made to the ordnance department, Brig. Gen. D. W. Flagler, United States army, in charge. “Tho testimony before the commission,” the report says, “shows that the ordnance department was untiring in its work, both before and during the war. and that every effort w r as made by its officers to properly arm and equip the troops. The delays that occurred were none of them of serious import, and it was beyond the power of the department to prevent them.”

Medicui Department. The part of tho report dealing with the medical department, Brig. Gen. George M. Sternberg in charge, is of great length and must be read in its complete form to be properly understood. A glance at the commission’s summing up, however, will sufficiently indicate its nature. “First—That at the outbreak of the war the medical deportment was, in men and materials, altogether unprepared to meet the necessities of the army called out. “Second—That as a result of the action through a generation of contracted and contracting methods of administration it was impossible for the department to operate largely, freely and without undue regard to the cost. “Third—That in the absence of a special corps of Inspectors, and the apparent infrequency of inspection by chief surgeons, and of official reports of the state of things in camps and hospitals, there was not such investigation of the sanitary conditions of the army as is the first duty imposed upon the department by the regulations. ' “Fourth—That the nursing force during the months of May, June and July was neither ample nor efficient, reasons for which may be found in the lack of a proper volunteer hospital corps, due to the failure of Congress to authorize its establishment and to the nonrecognition in the beginning of the value of women nurses and the extent to which their services could be secured. “Fifth—That the demand made upon the resources of the department in the care of sick and wounded were very much greater than had been anticipated, and, consequently, In like proportion these demands were imperfectly met. “Sixth—That, powerless as the department was to have supplies transferred from point to point, except through the intermediation of the quartermaster’s department, it was seriously crippled in its efforts to fulfill the regulation duty of ‘furnishing all medical and hospital supplies.’ "Seventh—That the shortcomings in administration and operation may justly be attributed, in large measure, to the hurry and confusion incident to the assembling of an army of untrained officers and men, ten times larger than before, for which no preparations in advance had been or could be made because of existing rules and regulations. “Eighth—That, notwithstanding all the manifest errors, of omission rather than of commission, a vast deal of good work was done by medical officers, high and low, regular and volunteer, and there were unusually few deaths among the wounded and the sick. “What is needed by the medical department in the future Is: ‘“First—A larger force of commissioned medical officers. “Second—Authority to establish in time of war a proper volunteer hospital corps. “Third—A reserve corps of selected trained women nurses, ready to serve when necessity shall arise, but under ordinary circumstances owing no duty to the War Department, except to report residence at determined intervals. “Fourth—A year’s supply for an army of at least four times the actual strength, of all such medicines, hospital furniture and stores as are not materially damaged by keeping, to be held constantly on hand in the medical supply depots. “Fifth—'The charge of transportation to such extent as will secure prompt shipment and ready delivery of all medical supplies. “Sixth—The simplification of administrative ’paper work.’ so that medical officers may be able to more thoroughly discharge their sanitary and strictly medical duties. “Seventh—The securing of such legislation as will authorize all surgeons in medical charge of troops, hospitals, transports, trains and independent commands to draw from the subsistence department funds for the purchase of such articles of diet as may be necessary to the proper treatment of soldiers too sick to use the army rations. This to take the place of all commutation of rations of the sick now authorized. “Convalescent soldiers traveling on furlough should be furnished transportation, sleeping berths or state rooms, ana $1.50 per diem for subsistence in lieu of rations, the soldier not to be hela accountable or chargeable for this amount.” CONDITION OF CAMPS. CTiicUaiuutigu Park Criticised and Moutank Too Hastily Prepared. Camp Thomas, Chickamauga—"On April 15, 1898,” the report says, “by direction of the secretary of war, tho regular army was ordered to rendezvous at Chickamauga Park, selected by the commanding general of the army as a place for the assembling of a portion of the troops. The park contained about 7,000 acres, two-thirds of which is wooded. The wooded portion had been thoroughly cleaned of underbrush, and was so open that the sun could shine upon the grounds almost everywhere at some hour of the day. The park is traversed by about twenty-four miles of good road, making transportation unusually easy. The climate was reputed to be dry and not excessively or uncomfortably hot in summer and the locality generally healthful. The lack of railroad facilities was not so serious as to effect materially the desirability of the park for a site. Regiments and brigades were usually placed quite close together, closer than was desirable or necessary, as there was ample space. The reasons assigned for placing tho troops in the woods were that in hot weather the shade would be grateful and the open ground would be left for drilling. Speaking of the principal springs outside of tho park, It says all furnished good and abundant water. ‘We do not think,’ says the commission, ‘that the water supply was contaminated by the

drainage through Cave creek. A careful examination of the camp sites and general formation of the ground leads to the conclusion that the waters of Chickamauga creek at the in-take were not contaminated from the park. All the chemical and bacteriological examinations made of this water of which we have knowledge show that it was not a sourc of infection and might have been used with safety. The fact remains, however, that the water was quite unsatisfactory and repugnant to most of the troops.’ ” The report says Chickamauga Park is not adapted to the accommodation of more than 20.000 at a time. On June 30 there were 58,548 men in the camp. The water supply wa3 unsatisfactory, the water itself repugnant. Some of the wells became contaminated. The sanitation of the camp “was very imperfect, and at times decidedly bad.” The troops were not well located, many being permitted to camp in the woods. Sinks were not deep enough or sufficiently removed from the men’s quarters. Six hundred licenses to peddlers and hucksters were issued by the commanding general in the early days, and the grounds swarmed with venders of unwholesome trash. Passes to Chattanooga were issued at the rate of from two to six men per day per company. This was a fruitful source of injury to the men. On the whole, the camp was unsatisfactory. Camp Alger.—The report finds that this camp was “undesirable,” and that it was not abandoned too soon. Camp Cuba Libre. Jacksonville, Fla.—The commission found much in this camp—its arrangements and general conduct—to commend. The suggestion is made that Florida is not an Ideal climate in which to camp men during the summer months. Fernandina. Fla.—Charges of corruption were freely made in connection with the location of this camp. They were investigated carefully and found to be without the least foundation. The conditions there v.'t-re reported as being most favorable by the subcommittee of the commission detailed to make the inquiry. Miami, Fla.—This ground was selected by the major general commanding as highly recommended by him in a communication to the secretary of war, dated June 14, 1898. It was abandoned Ju!y/31, having been found In all respeet3 unsuitable. Tampa. Fla.—This was not Intended for a permanent camp, but merely as a rendezvous for troops en route. The water supply was excellent, however, and, barring the extreme heat of the weather, was quite acceptable. The deaths among the troops at Tampa, from disease and accident, between May 2 and Sept. 30, were fifty-six. Camps at San Francisco.—These were mobilization camps for troops going to the Philippines. The men were somewhat crowded there ar.d a good deal of sickness prevailed, chiefly, measles; some typhoid also appeared. Camp Wikoff. Montauk Point.—On the whole it may be said that Montauk Point was an ideal place for the isolation of troops who had been exposed to or had yellow fever, ar.d for tho recuperation of those greatly debilitated by malarial attacks of marked severity. The time allotted for preparation was altogether too short, and as a consequence the camp was occupied long before it was ready. Because of this, and because of the great number of sick and convalescents and of those on the ground who were connected with the army, there was much confusion, some lack of proper attention to matters of sanitation, and to the sick, and without doubt cases of distress, it may be neglect. But after all there was much exaggeration in what was written and said about the conditions of Camp Wikoff—exaggeration at times Intentional, generally the result of unfamiliarity with the life of the soldier and with the appearance of a large number of sick and broken-down men brought together in a limited space. Anniston, Ala.—This camp was found In excellent condition Oct. 21. Everything satisfactory. Huntsville, Ala.—ln all respects equal to Anniston. Knoxville, Tenn.—Conditions all thoroughly satisfactory. Lexington, Ky.—An ideal camp. Camp Meade, Pa.—This camp was found in first-class order.

RESULTS OF THE WAR. Remarkable Work Accomplished liy the Army aiul Navy In Three Months. In conclusion the report says: “The result of the Santiago campaign w T as the complete realization of the several objects contemplated; the capture of the city with its fortifications and munitions of war, together with immense supplies of food stuffs and ammunition (the former estimated by General Wood at 1,200,000 rations; the surrender of the entire province of Santiago do Cuba, with all the troops garrisoning the same (amounting, as already stated, to between 23,000 and 24,000); the destruction by the navy of Admiral Cervera’s fleet after its departure from the harbor, and the general demoralization of the Spanish forces and the discomfiture of the Spanish government and people, leading almost immediately to overtures for peace by Spain. All this was accomplished without the loss of a prisoner, a gun or a color, and with a list of casualties aggregating in killed less than 250 and in w'ounded less than I,4oo—losses which, in comparison with results, are less than have ever heretofore occurred in modern warfare.” It should be added that the total deaths in battle, from wounds and disease, from the beginning to the end of the episode, aggregating less than three thousand—only a fraction over 1 per cent. The report closes thus: “In concluding its labor it is with much pleasure that the commission reports that, notwithstanding the haste with which the Nation entered upon the war with Spain, the resulting and almost inevitable confusion in bureau and camp, the many difficulties of arming, assembling and ttansporting large bodies of hitherto untrained men. the carrying on of active operations in two hemispheres, the people of the United States should ever be proud of its soldiers, who, co-operating with its sailors, in less than three months, put an end to Spanish colonial power, enfranchised oppressed people, and taught the world at large the strength and nobility of a great Republic.” DR. DALY’S REPLY. Tlic War CominiMslon ‘‘Roasted’’ by Miles’s Chief Surgeon. PITTSBURG, Pa., Feb. U.-Dr. W. H. Daly, in a long statement to-night anent the war-board report, says he reported his suspicions of the refrigerated beef to Commanding General Miles in the early part of August, and the latter at once endeavored to have the army supplied with fresh beef and requested the War Department to send no more refrigerated beef. To this latter request no attention was paid. He says: “The commission, soon after appointment, revealed to the country that its business was to protect the contractors and destroy every one who called attention to any irregularities. It studiously refrained from calling the common soldiers before them who had eaten of this beef, become nauseated and sickened by it, and when any one did appear before it who gave honest testimony as to irregularities or shortcomings, either as to unfit beef or other improper or insufficient rations, by the overcrowding of the transports with the sick and convalescent, or any other matter that a wise administration would be pleased to hear of in order to remedy and prevent a recurrence, such witnesses were, without exception, bullied, browbeaten, hectored and treated in the most brutal manner generally, as a warning to others to have a cure as to how they called the attention of this so-called commission to anything that they were not expected in any sense to ascertain or discover. But they called officers of the commissary department, who Improperly felt that they had been impugned as to dereliction of duty, when no such charge was either made or implied. These men were all treated with the utmost deference by the so-called commission and applauded for their testimony, and even the bearded beef, w hich they claimed to he of excellent quality and which no citizen would eat willingly, was considered by them the proper thing for the soldier.” A Finished Aclret*. Leslie’s Weekly. The career of Mrs. Sarah Cowell-Lemoyn® is by no means ordinary or usual. Asa young woman Mrs. Lemoyne went on the stage, but she did not prosper and soon retired. She has said to intimate friends that her failure was due to lack of beauty and personal presence. letter she married the comedian, W. J. Lemoyne, and for years past she has been known as a serious student of Shakspeare and as a reader and interpreter of the great dramatist. Last season she reappeared on the stage, Site was now a woman in middle life, and certainly no one could say that she lacked either beauty or presence. Indeed, looking at her now one is inclined to think that in the remark Mrs. Lemoyne made about herself she was only jesting. But the strange thing is that when she reappeared there came on the stage a most finished actress, an actress of the first rank in the new and the natural school. This winter she was at the Garrick Theater, New York, and in the play of “Catherine,” even in a minor part, she easily carried off the honors of the performance. The women of the American stage might well go to school to Mrs. Lemoyne, and the men, too, including her husband, for that matter. But only great men cun ever hope to attain the finish and the quiet of Mrs. Lemoyne; second-rate men are so vain that they must splutter and make a noise during their brief time upon the stage,

national I Tube Works ■K|\ fa Wrought-lron Pie for Gas, m, ' - lal Steam and Aater, Boiler Tubes, Cast and wtat Mutable Iron Fitting* (black and galvanized*. Valves. Slop Cocks. KnRafiK £ fß ' ? Trimming. steam EfffllvGauges, Pipe Tungs, Pip* KflßfrMa ASW Cutters. Vises. Screw I'T vlf*'a Plates and Die* Wrenches. Steam Traps, Pump*, mm Kitchen Sinks, Hose, Beltrvd Hi Ing, Babbit Metal, Solder, £59 White and Colored Wining SS Kiol Waste, and all other SupI® rAJ plies used in connection SB IfcS? with Gas. Steam and (M £,< Water. Natural Gas Sup--115 |W nlies a specialty. Steam M K 2 Heating Apparatus tor In Public Buildings. StoreHJ 1* rooms. Mills, Shops, Factories. Laundries. Lumber Kt ] T*ry Houses, etc. Cut and f ; fe t Thread to order any size Etfa I | Wrought-Iron Pipe, from Ifly lg.l Vi inch to 12 Inches diem- | KNIGHT S JILLSON, © S. PENNSYLVANIA ST. INDIANA Dental College Department of Dentistry, University of Indianapolis, S. W. Corner Delaware and Ohio Streets. r "ives patients from 9a. m. to sp. m foi tinds of Dental work. ees are to cover the cost only. Dr. Selman’s Private .... Sanitarium For the Special Treatment o! Epilepsy. This institution has been in operation for the past six years, with very satisfactory results, curing many cases that had been considered incurable. Physicians having cases that require strict attention would do well to correspond with us. Special department for the treatment of Cancers, Turners and Chronic Ulcers and all kinds of Skin Diseases. Special attention given to Ulcerated Sore Legs. All communications promptly answered. DR. A. G. SELMAN, INDIANAPOLIS, IND. No. 1246 Bast Washington Street. CAMP LIFE AT MATANZAS INDIANA’S SOLDIERS PUTTING IX SPARE TIME BREAKING STONE. Weather Delightful and No Insects—A V lait to the Cemetery—lUOth Anxious to Be Mustered Out.

Correspondence of the Journal. MATANZAS. Cuba, Feb. 6, with the One-hundred-and-slxtieth Indiana Volunteers.— This regiment is getting pretty well installed in camp life on Matanzas bay. Nearly every man riot otherwise engaged haa been on fatigue detail breaking stone and leveling up camp streets to make it possible to get from one tent to another without breaking one’s neck. The regiment—a part of it at least—has been here for a month, and yesterday evening we had our first dress parade by going down on the boulevard. Only guard mount is possible in camp. We are having very pleasant weather—warm days from 9 o’clock in the morning till 4 In the afternoon, but cool, pleasant evenings and nights, with a strong ocean breeze and perfect freedom from insects, which adds largely to one’s comfort. Since my last letter I have seen more of the city and have made a tour of observation in the country. The larger and more prominent buildings were erected over two hundred years ago. From the earliest settlement every man’s house has been his castle, hence the heavily barred windows and doors four or five inches thick. As the climate is mild the year round glass windows are dispensed with and drapery substituted. The floors are generally marble, stone or cement, and the vestibules or halls furnish convenient storerooms for the family vehicles. I have seen no horses In use by the natives—only ponies, oxen and asses. Instead of milk wagons, ponies or asses with huge wicker or leather pockets are mado the depositories of milk cans or jugs. The cemetery—there is only one here—contains about eight acres, and up to the Ist of mat Decernoer tfiere hud been buried In it llt>,sU Oodles. It seemed a marvel how that could be until I investigated. The cemetery is inclosed within nigh thick wans, with an entrance nut umike that of Crown Hill. About onefourth is made into vaults; wnich are about fifteen feet ueep and extending from the main driveway a distance oi perhaps three hundred teet to the east wall. The apartments are just large enoLgh, one above another. for a single corpse. The name is Inscribed on a marble slab and the niche carefuny sealed, These vaults are rented, not sold. When the annual dues are not paid the corpse is removed. This is true also of other portions of the ground where the poorer classes are buried in graves. When occasion requires they are made to give placa to others. 'lbus in death, as In life, one is made to get out of the way of another. When the first battalion arrived here an investigation revealed rive wagon loads of human bones piled up in one mace. Hearses are not much useu; instead, one, two or four men carry tho deud on their shoulders. Funeral processions rarely follow lriends to the place of interment. This ghastly place Is made almost beautiful by nowenng plants, trees and shapely monuments. All classes and conditions of people, Spaniards and Cubans alike, seem delighted with the changed conditions of things under American rule. The One-hundred-and-slx-tieih’s regimental band is giving a series o| evening concerts on the plaza grounds in the city, and thousands who are within doors during the day crowd the streets in grand promenades, the happiest people apparently in the world. Arrangements are being mada for a great military ball in the near future in return for one given by the citizens. Maj. Kyle and Captain Burr repre-sent the regiment on the committee on arrangements. The strong probabilities are that the Indiana troop nere will soon reach the end of their service. In a personal letter from Senator Fairbanks, dated Jan. 25, he writes: “I am informed by the adjutant general that the entire One-hundred-and-stxtieth Regiment is soon to bo mustered out.” Ninety per cent, of the boys are earnestly hoping this may be true, and the indications ara strongly in that direction. Thu transport Manitoba came in last evening with six troops of the Second Cavalry. The health of the regiment is not as good as last reported, quite a number of the men being afflicted with stomach and bowel trouble, caused, perhaps, by overindulgenca in tropical fruits. Orderly Sergeant H. C. Brown has been elected captain of Company E, of Bluffton, in place of Henry Johnson, who failed to pass on account of physical disability. Sergeant J. Mills, of Company D, has been elected second lieutenant in place of Lieut Arthur Sayer. who was discharged for physical disability. A number of the men who applied for discharges months ago are now receiving their papers, indicating that the War Department is not as anxious for soldiers as formerly. Dr. Eugene Beuhler has been sick for several days, but is now on duty. Great interest Is felt here in the Hull army reorganization bill. W. J. VIGUS. Will Marry a Lawyer. Washington Post. The engagement is announced of Mis* Constance Ingalls, daughter of ex-Senator and Mrs. Ingalls, to Mr. Robert Schick, of Reading, Pa., a prominent lawyer of that city. Miss Ingalls, who Is a charming and clever young woman. Is ore of the heroines of the past summer who devoted her energies to the nursing of soldiers in tho Philadelphia hospitals. I Mt**el a Treat. Boston Transcript. Mrs. Llmberchln—l was so mad last night I couldn't speak. Mr. I*.— And l was away! Just my luck!