The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-15
BNL1srMENr FOR Army COOKS.
A BILL to Mako Them Real Soldiers. with Ranl
and Fay Denned.

A Bin to Mako Them Real Soldiers. with Rank
and Fay Denned.
WARRINGTON. June Decentralization with
tho quality OF the food furnished to the troops
in the field and the character of tho cooking,
which has found expression in Congress as we'll
as elsewhere, has resulted In the presentation
OF o bill. as suggested by Representative Fitz-
gerald of Massachusetts,, authorizing the enlist
mont of cooks. 1t came to the House to-day in
a communication from Secretary Alger. trans
hitting tho bill drawn by Commissary- General
of Subsistence Charles p. Van EagRn, with the
reasons for its passage urged by hiT. He says:
Much dissatisfaction at tho food supply il
prevalent among the raw troops who have
recently taken the fold. Complaints Of all kinds
are rife, some as to the quantity Of tho rations,
some as to the quality, some as to the variety of
components, others as to the want OF proper
preparation. History is but repeating itself.
The same state of affairs existed after the great
armies of the rebellion had taken the fold. Con-
Eress, In August. 1851. largely increased the
ration oVor what 1t had been previous to that
time, yet complaints of its insuficiency arose in
face of the fact that the food allowance to each
man was larger than was necessary to his sub
sistence.
This excess of food supplies for tho army.
besides adding to tho cost and difficulties Of
Transportation, failed to benefit tho enlisted
man, as tho surplus did not reach him. but was
disposed OF. and tho proceeds went to mako up
large post and regimentNl FUNDS. The insuf.
hcicncy of tho ration was not tho true cause of
| complaint then, any more than now. In March,
1863, TO meet the clamor then prevalent, Con-
| gross passed q law establishing a syStom Of su-
| pervision OF army cooking by the medical and
line officers. and provided for tho PRONUNCIATION
of regulations for the proper preparation of the
AZ. - Nha RnlaIar The la~ nNOptAaA FoH tkn
detail of cooks for companies, and tho enlist
ment of under cooks.
"ln March. 1884, an inquiry by the Military
Committee OF tho Senate brought ont tho in.
formation that the ration was larger than was
necessary, and that it was advisable to reduce
the ration and add tho reduction to tho soldiers
pay rather than continue the system OF purchas.
went to objects foreign to tho subsistence OF the
soldier. Tho ration. therefore. WAS restored to
what It was prior to August, 1861, and, with
very generally ceased. The ration remains 10.
day, in its principal constituents. practically the
Zone OF the most important problems OF the
military art - the proper feeding Of IN soldier.
Issued for periods OF ten days at q time. Men
coming fresh from the walks OF private life are
n]n.kilISd in GSoEins; The rho tenn ten days avs, r "a on u
seventh or eighth day, and complaints too often
give rise to tho superstition that the Govern
| " AhB uiiNAS acbt "i'cASA
what's supplied constitutes a ration that 10 more
ample than any other In the world, and fully
sufficient. II properly cared for and properly
cooked, to meet all tho needs for nourishment.
1.-The presence OF skilled cooks In tho army will
stop waste and bad cooking, and Conduoo 10 the
content Of the enlisted man and the preservA
tion OF his health. Tho detail OF enlisted men
for regular tours Of duty As assistants to the
cooks Will serve to educate them In this necos
sAry accomplishment of the seasoned soldier
and bad cooking will disappear and the men be
come Selt-reliant and Selfdependent whom sop
arated from thor commands, individually or ir
detachmcnts.
therefore, / recon meud tho passage of . law di
rectinK tbs enlistment of n cook for zach com
pany, troop. or battery. to DO = part OF tho Au
thorizod strength OF tho organization, and al
important and desirable addition to the existing
agencies fer carrying on tho internal admins
tration Of tho affairs of the 2rg0niEation. Unde
proper regulations prescribing mis- duties thl
cook will not in any senSO DO q n~on'combAtant
Cor ne can DO set up"" and perfected In drill
aud 30 made as valuable as any other soldier II
engagements With the snoiuy."
The draft Of tbs bill proposed gives 20 th
cooks the rank and pay OF cOrporLls In the arm
OF the service TO which they belong.
Representative ChiekSring Of Now York. Il
response To tho persistent demand Of dairymC
from ali parts Of the oouhtry, to-day introduces
a bill 70 add 10 the daily ration Of thS SaldIe
One-0uartsE-DouHd OF cheese