The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-30
NOT FIT FOR SOLDIERS
CANNED FRESH ROAST BEEF CON-
DEMNED BY ARMY OFFICERS.
Testimony That supports Gen. MiIes's
Charges that Meat RatiOns Served
His Men Were UnpHlatabIe.


tigating commission to-day made public a
synopsis of reports to General Miles on re
suits obtained from the use of canned fresh
roast beef in campaigns in Cuba and Porto
Rico" These reports were submitted by
General Miles when he gave his testimony
last week and were presented in substantial
ton 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 statement given
out includes a statement from Major John
d. Black, chief commissary United States
Volunteers and commissary at headquarters
Of the army in the field during the Porto
Rico expedition dated Dec. 49, on the canned
fresh roast beef received, issued and trans
ferred by him. 1t shows the totals received
from all sources were u ,604 one-pound cans,
6,292 two-pound cans and 1920 siX-pound
cans. Totals issued and transferred follows:
One-pOund cans issued IA; one-pound cans
transferred, 1880; two-pOund cans issued,
AZ 1853; two-pound cans transferred, 44,124;
siX-pound cans issued, 0; six-pound cans
transferred, 1920 A synopsis of the reports
as furnished follows:
Major Baker, commanding officer Fourth
Infantry, said: THE beef seemed to be of
inferior quality and was anything but palat-
able. Quite a number of men could not, and
did not eat it,
Lieutenant Colonel Miner. commanding
officer Sixth Infantry: THE meat was ut
terly unfit as an article of diet for either
sick or we'll. 1t had no nutrfment in it and
turned the stomachs of the men who tried
to eat it,
Colonel Powell, commanding officer Ninth
lntantry-"The meat produced disordered
stomachs, is not nutritious, soon became
found in course of putrefaction when
Major Humphreys, commanding officer
Twelfth Infantry-The meat presented such
a repulsiVe appearance that men turned
from it in disgust Nasty is the only term
that Will fifty describe its appearance. It's
use produced diarrhoea and dysentery.
Col. A. 7. Smith, commanding officer
Ihlrteenth infantry-Many complaints were
made concerning the meat. 1t was found
very unpalatable and is Gnfit for issue to
troops.
Major O'Brien, commanding officer Seven
tenth Infantry-The nutritious juices hav-
ing 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.
Capt. J. w. Duncan, commanding officer
second battalion, Twenty-frst Infantry -
The meat soon spoils after opening the cans.
The men soon tire Of 1t. and it is not
proper food. 1t is not equal III any way 70
the canned corned beef.
Major Van Horne, commanding officer
TWenty-second 1nfantry-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
Major Jackson commanding officer Third
Cavalry-The meat for canning was too fat
and article of diet soon became nau-
seating to a large majority of the men. If
made of good beef and properly sea soned it
might be satisfactory
Colonel Haskin, commanding officer Sec
ond Artillery-The meat was generally dis
liked, soft, watery and insipid agree
able to neither eye nor taste. The men could
be induced to eat it only when prepared as
a stew.
Lieutenant Colonel McCrea, commanding
officer Fifth Artillery-The meat was unpal-
atable, because Of the excess of fat in il
It's appearance was black 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 further
trial.
Captain Best, commanding officer Light
Battery K, First Artillery-The appearance
of the meat was not inviting. The men soon
tired of it.
Commanding officer First Cavalry = The
meat was a miserable article of food in hot
clmates-a Shiny mass of beef scraps un-
palatable to the taste and repulsve to the
sight. Competition for the contracts placed
the price so low that only tailings and scraps
We're used for canning
Officers Ninth Cavalry-Very unsatisfac-
tory; men soon tire of it and will only eat
it when they have nothing else.
Major Thompson, commanding officer
Twenty-fourth Infantry-After a few days
the meat becomes unpalatable. the men be-
come disguised with it and will not eat it.