The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-16
COMPLAINTS NOT JUSTIFIED.
Ohicers Say the Food Furnished the
Volunteers Ia Good.


Special Dispatch to the Post-Intelligencer.
TACOMA. July 15.-Officers in charge Of
the Fourth battalion, located at the ex-
position building. are disguised and an
gered with the reports put in circulation
concerning the food furnished the men.
They declare there is no ground for the
statements made. and the probability is
a new place OF rendezvous will be select
ed as a result of the attacks being daily
made upon the management of the camp.
On this latter point the remarks of Adjt.
Gen. w. ]. Canton prior to his departure
to Olympia to see the governor are peril
nent and explanatory Of his feelings in
the matter.
In speaking of the scare head" stories
being printed about the food furnished the
troops, Adjt. Gen. Canton said:
1T would be perfectly justiaable to move
the battalion TO some nearby point. where
we may be freed from such uncalled-for
attacks. would feel that the governor
did right if such move was put under
way
The fact that Gen. Canton was en- route
to visit the governor when he spoke as
given above, and that he is thoroughly out
OF patience with the continual attacks upon
the camp management, gives hint of how
he will report to Gov. Rogers
Inquiry shows that the location of the
battalion here means the expenditure OF
some 5000 a month. of which $50 day
Is paid out for food for the men and Of
fcers. At the end OF the month the pay OF
the men will be largely spent here, and
should the troops be moved by reason OF
the unjust criticism of the officers in
charge some other point will receive the
benefit of circulating this money.
While none OF the higher officers say
openly they have recommended that the
camp be moved TO some more satisfactory
place of rendezvous they show no hest
,fal- fat-
without the least foundation. Capt. Taylor,
mastering officer, who let the contract for
furnishing the food. said TO a Post-Intel,i-
gencer reporter this afternoon:
II am at a loss to understand the mean
ing of these attacks and destinations
have personally investigated complaints
about the food. and found the meals all that
they should he. / ate exactly what was
served the men when complaint was made
and found the food perfectly wholesome
and served in ample quantity.
THE last attack tells how insects were
men who by their own fault were late to
mess skrmished about and found pot OF
soup set aside to be thrown out-what was
left after the meal had been served. The
kettle had been put in an open window
and had stood there for perhaps an hour
when the helated men found IL. This IL
what the men found fault with. and is
sample OF how complaints arise about the
food generally. The truth IS a few mall
contents are found by the reporter OF this
paper. their statements are printed with
out question or investigation in official
quarters. and in this way sensational
stories are printed about the alleged bad
food furnished to the men.
For instance today at noon We had
baked salmon. good enough for anyone.
potatoes boiled In the skin, onions ard
beets. boiled furnips and coffee. all served
in quantities sufficient 10 satisfy any hun
CRY man. With this was plenty of good
wholesome bread. / consider this a good
enough meal for anybody in She ranks I'M
der orders"
Capt Taylor explained how he hal let
the contract and how the caterer was In
dorsed by one OF the largest corporations
on the Sound. He told how the butcher
furnishing the meats ana other firms sell
ing supplies had been seen. and how II Is
known that in every case good. substantial
food only is sold 10 the contractor
The tone assumed by she officers indicates
they are weary of the trouble and criti-
cism arising from the food contract. and
that ii VIII not ~ surprising II some detin-
lite step IL taken 70 avoid further unp.eas-
aniness OF this ratGre- possibly the rernov-
al Of the Battalion 10 sorSe nearby point