The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-30
HOW ''OUR
HEROES" FARED
Sickening Revelations of the
Rotten Beef Contracts
Entered Into by the Govern
ment to Supply Soldiers.
The Stories Told During the
War Proven True.
THE ARMY OFFICERS
Sign Written Statements About
the Canned Meat.
1t Was Putrid, 1t Was Watery,
1t Was Black.
1t Caused Dysentery and Other
Diseases.
1t Caused Dysentery and Other
Diseases.
MEN WOULD NOT EATIT
Turned the StOmachs of the
Soldiers and No Wonder
That They Bought epic and
Bananas"

Washington, Dec 3O.-The war in
vestigating commission today made
public a synopsis of the reports of Off
GERS to General Miles "of the results
obtained from the use of canned roast
beef in campaigns in Cuba and Porto
Rico
A synopsis of the reports as furnished
follows:
Commanding officer, Fourth infantry,
Major Baker-The beef seemed to be of
inferior quality and was anything but
palatable. Quite number of men
could not, and would not eat it.
Commanding officer, Sixth infantry,
Lieutenant Colonel Minor-Beef was ut
terly unfit as an article Of diet for
either sick or wen. 1t had no nutri-
ment in it and turned the stomachs of
the men who tried to eat it.
Commanding officer, Ninth infantry,
Colonel Powell-The meat produced dis
ordered stomachs, is not nutritious. soon
became putrid and in many of the cans
was found in course of putrifactiOn
when opened.
Commanding officer, Twelfth infantry,
Major Humphreys-The meat presented
such a repulsive appearance that men
turned from it in disgust. Nasty is the
only term that will fitly describe its
appearance. Its use produced >diarrhoea
and dysentery.
Commanding officer, Thirteenth in
fantry, Colonel A. T. Smith-Many
complaints were made concerning the
meat. 1t was found very unpalatable
and is unfit for issue to troops.
Commanding officer, Seventeenth in
fantry, Major O'Brien-The nutritious
juices having been cooked out of the
meat it was neither nourishing nor
palatable: It was unfit for use. It
should no longer be issued.
Commanding officer, Second battalion,
Twenty-fist infantry, Captain J. w.
Duncan-The meat soon spoiled after
opening the cans, the men soon tire of
it and it is not a proper food 1t is not
equal in any way to canned corned
beef.
Commanding officer. Twenty-second
infantry, Major Van Horne-The meat
issued was nothing more than refuse
after various kinds of soups had been
extracted from it. Further issues of it
should not be made.
Commanding officer, Third cavalry,
Major Jacksonville meat for canning
was too fat and as an article of diet
soon became nauSeating to a large ma
jOrity of the men, If made of good beef
and properly seasoned it might be sat
isfactory.
Commanding officer, Second artillery,
Colonel Haskin-The meat was general
ly disliked, was soft, Watery and in
sipid, agreeable to neither eye nor
taste. The men could be induced to eat
Commanding officer, Second artillery
Lieutenant Colonel Myer-Tbe meat
was unpalata BILE because of the excess
of fat in it. Its appearance was black
and stringy and none of the men liked
it. When prepared as a stew, it was
more palatable. If less fat and mixed
with vegetables, it would deserve a
further trial
Commanding officer, light battery K,
First artillery, Captain Best-The ap-
pearance of the meat was not inviting.
The men soon tired of it.
Commanding officer, First cavalry.
Brigadier General Viele-The meat was
a miserable apology for food in a hot
climate, a Shiny looking mass of beef
scraps. unpalatable to the taste and re-
puIsive to the sight. Competition for
the contracts placed the price so low
that only tailings and scraps were used
for canning.
Officers Ninth cavaIry-Very unsatis-
factory. Men soon tire of it and will
only eat it when they have nothing
else.
Commanding officer, Twenty-fourth
infantry, Major ThompsOn-After a few
days the meat becomes unpalatable;
the men become disgusted with it and
will not eat it.
There were no witnesses ready for
examination today. The Swift Packing
company of Chicago, which protested
against the statements in General Miles
pressed beef furnished his expeditions,
has notified the commission of its in
ability to be on hand on January A. as
expected, and January has been set
as the date for the appearance of the
representative.