Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-14

DEPARTMENT BEFORE THE WAR
INVESTIGATING c o ISSION
YESTERDAY-HIS DEPARTMENT
SHOULD HANDLE THE FOOD
THROUGHOUT ONE SENATOR
WHO Had A PARTICULAR FOOD
TO SEI4L-GENERAL MILES Sc
VERELY CENSURED FOR REFUS-
ING, AMERICAN BBEF.
Washington, d. c.. December 49,
Commissary General Eagan, of the War
Department, continued his testimony
before the war investigating commits
sion to-day. He argued that the sub
sistence department should control the
transportation of all its OWE supplies
and the furnishing of means for cook
ing and eating. He said the Secretary
of War to-day approved bill author-
izing the subsistence department to
build and furnish bake ovens, mess
equipment, etc, which was much need
ed. He thought the quartermaster
generals department was overburden-
ed with duties innumerable. He point
ed out that the British army was not
as we'll fed by any means as our own.
and that rations already provided the
United States soldiers are satisfactory
with the possible addition of dried
fruits He spoke of the constant and
urgent opportunities. which he said
sometimes amounted to persecution.
that various articles of food be added
to the regular rations. The Emporium
tiles were backed by strong support
and heavy capital.
One we'll known Senator, whose
name being withheld, he said, had pro-
posed and insisted on one article being
added, which he claimed would cost
only about one cent a ration. While
this might be so, for the whole army
its cost would amount to an amazing
figure. He said he believed beer should
be furnished the men in such quanti-
ties as the commanding officers may
decide to be best and In the interests
incur the hostility of the blue ribbon
societies. Referring to a complaint OF
the beef given given the men In Porto
Rico at the outset Of that ca.apaigu,
General Eagan said the responsibility
rested on other shoulders thar his
own that he had purchased the best
H.
tered into and the beef aboard and sent
from Newport News, General Miles
had telegraphed him that he could get
the beef on the islands. Consequently
the beef he shipped remained on the
ships, except for small amount, and
was brought back TO New York and
thrown overheard. The beef, of fine
quality, was there he said and should
have been taken. No one" he said.
with any sense could hesitate to favor
refrigerated beef against native beef"
He said he had now sent a refrigera-
tor plant to San Juan. Referring TO
the ignorance in the volunteer army ~
to ratrons, General Eagan said there
should be one commissary sergeant
with each regiment to instruct the
others as to the use and extent OF ra-
tons
Lieut.. Col. Hartsnuff, chief surgeon
at Camp Thomas, Chicamauga. under
Gen Brooke, was recalled and tesu-
fed that the supplies on hand there
were meagre.
Witness said because Of the deficien-
cy supplies had TO be peddled out very
scantily giving only enough to last
from day to day. He said there were
instances in which his recommends
tions were disregarded by the COM
manding general. He said all his rec
concentrations as to sanitary matters
we're practically only paper-manifestos
and that evils complained OF were not
eradicated.
The responsibility for the unsani.
tary condition Of the Chickamaugs
rested on higher shoulders than the
medical department That department
had exeT7ed every effort but he was
reluctant TO name Gen. Brooke. whs
was in command. as responsible,
though not hesitating TO say his re-
ports and recommendations repeated
iy were unavailing.
In general terms witness said the
whole organization of the hospitals in
camps was wrong and he had reported
his opinion to Gen. Brooke, but did not
think it worth while to burden the sur
geon general with report as he I'M
derstood Gen. Sternberg was very