Evening star., 1898-12-29
Reports Of Army Officers Given to the
War Commission.
NO WITNESSES FOR EXAMINATION
Gen. Miles Explains His Attitude
in the Matter.
NO ANTAGONIST INTENDED


Company of Chicago. which protested
against the statements in Gen. Miles tes-
timvny derOgatory to the refrigerated fresh
beef furnished his expeditions, has notified
the commission of its inability to be on
hand on January 4. as expected. and Jan
uary has been set as the date for the ap-
ptarance Of its representatives So far no
uuu action has been taken on the insist
eu"r "t Ccmmissary General Eagan that he
be- recalled to testify in answer 10 Gen.
Miles charges and no decision has been
reached as 10 recalling Gems Shafter or
Miles
The commission today made public a
synopsis Of the reports of officers to Gen
Niles as to beef served during the cam
paigHs in Cuba and Porto Rico. These re-
ports were submitted by Gen Miles when
he gave his testimony last week, and were
presented in substantiation of his vigorous
,ivuuHCiati0n of the beef
General Miles stated at the time that he
rad started an investigation of the mat
Ter Of the beef supplies and the reports
submitted follow his official inquiry along
this line The statement given out includes
a statement from Major John d. Black.
chief cpmmissary sergeant, United States
volunteers. and commissary at headquar-
1ers of the army in the field during the
Porto Rico expedition. dated December 10.
"n the canned fresh roast beef received.
issued and transferred by him.
Beef Furnished the Army.
Ii shows the totals received from all
sources We're 12,604 one-pound cans, 1922
two-pound cans and 2,22O six-pound cans.
Totals issued and transferred follow: One
pound cans issued III; one-pound cans
transferred, l.. 400; two-pound cans issued,
421Gs: two-pound cans transferred, 2220.
A synopsis of the reports as furnished
follows:
Commanding officer 4th Infantry Major
Baker:
The beef seemed to be of inferior quality
and was anything but palatable. Quite
number of men could not, and did not, eat
Commanding officer 9Th Infantry. Lieut..
col. Miner:
The meat was utterly unfit an article
If diet for either sick or well 1t had no
nutriment in 1t. and turned the stomachs
If the men who tried to eat it.
Commanding officer 9th Infantry, Col.
Powell:
The meat produced disordered stomachs,
was not nutritious. soon became putrid,
and in many of the cans was found in
course OF putrefaction when opened
Commanding officer 18th Infantry, Major
Humphreys:
The meat presented such repulsive ap-
pearance that men turned from 1t in dis
gust. Nasty is the only term that will
huy describe its appearance. Its use pro-
duced diarrhoea and dysentery."
Commanding officer 18th Infantry, Col.
\ T. Smith:
Many complaints We're made concerning
the meat 1t was found very unpalatable
and is unfit for issue to troops"
Commanding officer 18th Infantry, Major
@ Brien:
The nutritious juices having been cooked
cat OF the meat. 1t was neither nourishing
nor palatable. 1t was often nauseating and
unfit for use. 1t should no longer be is
sued"
Commanding officer. I'd battalion, 2tst
Infantry. Capt ]. w. Duncan:
The meat soon spoiled after opening the
cans. the meu soon tire of it, and ii is not
proper food. 1t is not equal in any way
To canned Corned beef"
Commanding officer 22d Infantry, Major
Van Horn.
The meat issued was nothing more than
refuse after various kinds Of soup had been
extracted from it, Further issues of 1t
should not be made"
Commanding officer Sd Cavalry, Major
Jackson.
a. an article OF diet soon became nauseat-
ing 10 large majority of the men. If
made Of good beef and properly seasoned
it might be satisfactory
Commanding officer I'd Artillery, Col.
HaSkfn:
The meat was generally dislfked. was
soft watery and insipid. agreeable to neith-
cr eye nor taste. The men could be induc-
Commanding officer, 9TH Artillery, Lieut..
Col. Mct'rea:
The meat was unpalatable because of
the excess OF fat in it. Its appearance was
black and stringy and none of the men
hked II. When prepared as u stew it was
more palatable. If less fat and mixed with
vegetables ii would deserve further trial
Commanding officer, Light Battery X. 1st
Artillery. Capt. Best-'"The appearance of
The meat was not inviting. The men soon
Ilred OF il.
Commanding officer, 1st Cavalry, Brig
cen Niele-"The meat was a miserable
apology for food in hot climate; a Shiny
looking mass of beef scraps unpaIatab BILE
To- the taste and repuIsive TO the sight
Competition for the contracts placed the
pfice' so low that only tailings and scraps
We're used for canning"
Officers 9th Cavairy-"Very unsatisfac-
tory, men soon tire of it, and will only eat
II when they have nothing else.
Commanding officer. 24th Infantry Mai
h'fnpson-,After few days the meat be-
comes unpalatable; the men become dis
SuSted with ii and will not eat it,
Statement by Cen Miles.
Gfn Nil = was questioned by a Star re-
porter todaJ concerning his action in the
investigation Of the beef served TO the
army during the war with Spain. He
stated that he had ordered an investigation
of the matter without reference to the war
his duty under the regulations governing
MS "ftice- He is charged with the duty of
protecting the lives, health and honor Of
the army Complaints having been made
@n1ht the refrigerated beef by the officers
Who's" men were using il, he was Obliged to
order al investigation to determine the
question of blame and responsibility.
lie had signed the papers placing the in
Gu.rN IN the hands of the inspector general
before he went before the war commission.
'tr mad not acted in antag gonism of the war
Commission or anybody else. The inspector
general i charged under the army regula-
lions with the work of making all such in
Jilries, and in going into this one he is only
idrryinS out his usual and necessary func-
lions. General Miles said that he had not
desired To testify before the war commits
sion Tor the reason that he did not wish to
appear in the attitude of a man with a
grievance He was able independently and
without reference to any other means To
protect his own department from dishouor
or fraud.
He had not desired to be sworn by the
war commission because he does not think
th+y nave the right to administer oaths to
Witnesses On the other hand the INSPECTOR
general or any Of his inspectors cha rge5
witb the duty Of making an investipati lion
has the power conferred upon them bv the
army regulations to swear witnesses He
admitted that he had not reported the corn
plants OF his officers concerning the boot
"a the Secretary of War. but had only re-
Quested him that no mara raf,-;c--..,..