The record-union., 1898-12-30

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-The War
Investigating Commission held only
short session to-day, devoted to exec
utive business. There were no wit
nesses ready for examination. The
Swift Packing Company of Chicago,
which protested against the statements
in General Miles testimony derogatory
to their canned fresh beef furnished
his expeditions, has notified the COM
mission of its inability to be on hand
January 4th, as expected, and january
9th has been set as the date for the
appearance of their representative.
So far no action has been taken on
the insistence of Commissary General
Eagan that he be called to testify in
answer to General Miles charge, and
no decision has been reached as to
calling Generals Miles and Shafter.
The commission to-day made public
a synopsis of reports of officers to Gen
eral Miles as ito the results obtained
as to the use of canned fresh and roast
beef in campaigns in Cuba and Porto
Rico. These reports were submitted by
General Miles when he gave his testi-
mony last week, and were presented
in substantiatiOn Of his vigorous de-
nunciation 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 in
Quiry along this line.
The statement given out includes a
statement from Major John D. Black
Chief Commissary Sergeant, U. S ",
and Commissary at headquarters of
the army in the field during the Porto
Ec1yN
on the canned fresh and roast beef re-
ceived issued and transferred by hip.
Tt shows that the totals received from
all sources were 1904 pound cans, &c.
292 two-pound cans, and 2.22O six
pound cans. Total issued and trans
ferred follow: One pound cans issued
IA; one-pound cans transferred, 12,-
400; two-pound cans issued, ~ 16S;
two-pound cans transferred, A 124;
six-pound cans issued, none; six-pound
cans transferred 300.
A synopsis of the report as furnished
is as follows:
Commanding officer Fourth Army,
Major Baker: "The beef seemed to be
of inferior quality, and was anything
but palatable. Quite a number of men
could not eat it,
Commanding officer Sixth Infantry,
Lieutenant Colonel Minor: "The meat
was utterly unfit as an article of diet
for either sick or well. It had no nutri-
ment in it. and turned the stomachs of
the men who tried to eat it"
Commanding officer Ninth Infantry,
Colonel Powell: "The meat produced
disordered stomachs; is not nutritious;
soon became putrid and in many cans
was found in course of putrefaction
when opened
Commanding officer Twelfth Infantry,
Major Humphreys: ''The meat pre-
sented such a repulsive appearance
that men turned from it in disgust.
Nasty is the only term that will fitly
describe its appearance. It's use pro-
duced diarrhea and dysenterv"
Commanding officer Thirteenth In
fantry, Colonel A r. Smith: MANY
complaints We're made concerning the
meat. 1t was found very unpalatable.
and is unfit for issue to troops
Commanding officer Seventeenth In
fantry Major O'Brien: 1.-The nutritious
qualities having been cooked out of
the meat, it was neither nourishing nor
palatable. 1t was unfit for use. It
should no longer be issued
Commanding officer Twenty-second
Infantry. Major Van Horne: "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
Commanding officer Third Cavalry
Major Jackson: ''The meat for canning
was too fat, and as an article of diet
soon became nauseating to a large ma
jority of the men. If made of good
beef and properly seasoned, it might
be satisfactory"