The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-30
HIS OFFICERS REPORTS
PUTRID, NASTY, REPULSIYE,
NAUsEATING REFUSE.
PRODUCED DIARRHOEA AND DYSENTERY
A Miserable Apology for Food in Hot Climate,
Men Refused to Eat il Except When
Driven by hunger to Go SO.
All Reports Agree.

Washington, Dee. 29.--The Swift
Packing Company of Chicago, which
protested against the statements Of Gen
efal Miles testimony derogatory to the
canned fresh roast beef furnished his
expedition. has notified the war investi-
eating commission of its inability to be
on hand on January 4th as expected
and January 9th has been set as the
date for the appearance of its represen-
tatives. So far no final action has been
taken on the insistence of Commissary
General Eagan that he be recalled to
testify in answer to General Miles
charges and no decision has been reached
as TO recalling Generals Shafter or Miles.
The commission to-day made public
synopsis of the reports of officers to
General Miles ION results obtained from
the use of canned fresh roast beef in
campaigns in Cuba and Porto Rico" :"
These reports were submitted by Gene
raj Miles when he gave his testimony
last week and were presented in sub
stantiation of his vigorous denunciation
of the canned beef.
General Miles stated at the time that
he had started an investigation of the
matter of the canned beef supplies, and
the reports submitted follow his official
inquiry along this line. The matter given
out includes a statement from Major
John ID. Black. chief commissary ser
geant, u. s. ". and commissary at
headquarters of the army i'll the field
during the Porto Rico expedition, dated
December 10th, on the canned fresh
roast beef received, and transferred by
him. 1t shows the totals received from
all sources were 12,604 one-pound cans,
S6,a92 two-pound cans and 2.220 six
pound cans. Totals issued and trans
ferred Us follows:
One-pound cans issued, III; one-pound
cans transferred, 1880; two-pound cans
issued, 42.16S; two-pound cans trans
ferred, 2.220.
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 a number of men could not and
did not eat it"
Commanding Officer, Sixth infantry
Lieutenant Colonel Miner:
THE meat was utterly unfit as an
1t had no nutriment in it and turned the
stomachs of the men who tried to eat
it."
Commanding Officer, Ninth infantry
Colonel Powell:
''The meat produced disordered stom.
achs. is not nutritious, soon became
putrid, and in many cases was found in
course of putrefcation, when opened"
Commanding Officer, Twelfth infan-
try-Major Humphreys:
"The meat presented such a repulsiye
appearance that men turned from it III
disgust. Nasty is the only term that
will fifty describe its appearance. Its
use produced diarrhoea and dysentery."
Commanding Officer. Thirteenth infan-
try-Colonel A. L. Smith:
Many complaints were made con-
corning the meat. 1t was found very
unpalatabie, and is unfit for issue to
troops
Commanding Officer, Seventeenth III
fantry-Colonel O'Brien:
"The nutritious juices having been
cooked out of the meat, it was neither
nourishing nor palatable. 1t was often
nauseating and unfit for use. 1t should
no longer be issued"
Commanding Officer, Second battalion
Twenty First infantry--Captain j. w
Duncan
"The meat soon spoiled after opening
the cans, the men soon tired OF it, and
il is not proper food. 1t is not equal
in any way TO canned corned beef
Commanding Officer, TwentySecond
infantry-Major Van Horne:
THE meat issued was nothing more
than refuse after various kinds or soup
had been extracted from it. Further
issues of it should not be made"
Commanding Officer, Third cavalry
Major Jackson:
lhe meat for canning was too fat,
and as an article of diet soon became
nauseating to a large majority of the
men. If made of good beef and properly
seasoned it might be satisfactory
Commanding Officer, Second artillery
Colonel Haskin:
The meat was generally disliked. was
soft, watery and insipid. agreeable to
neither eye nor taste. The men could
be induced to eat it only when prepared
us stew.
Commanding Officer, Fifth artillery
Lieutenant Colonel McCrea:
The meat was unpalatable because
OF the excess of fat in it. Its appear
anee was black and stringy and none or
the men liked il. When prepared as
a stew, il was more palatabe If less