Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-07
BEEF IN PORTO RICO
----s----
MAJ Black, Commissary of Subsist-
ence, Gives Testimony.
GAVE MOLDY BEEF TO. SICK
Mold Was Cut Off, But He Did
Not Eat the Meat. 49,
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION

The war investigation commission, at it's
session this morning, listened to the testi-
mony of Maj. John D. Black, commissary
OF subsistence at the headquarters of the
commanding general of the army. He
stated that he did not land at Santiago.
and that he knew nothing of the character
OF the supplies furnished at that place. He
went with the expedition under Gen. Miles
to Porto Rico. He arrived there the 25th
OF July. He stated that July % he was
appointed acting assistant quartermaster
ana was ordered to superintend the I'M
loading of thu vessels. This was in addi-
tlon to his other duties, and he had as an
assistant Capt Pomeroy, who was appoint
| ed depot quartermagter at Ponce.
Large Quantity of Supplies
The witness stated that the expedition
had large quantity of supplies which they
brought from this country The commits
sary supplies, he said, were very good AS
to beef, they had canned goods, but no re-
frlgerated beef. He referred only to the
expedition which landed at Ponce, and not
the one which landed at Arroyo.
In further testimony in regard to the beef
supplies especially, he said the Massachu-
sets arrived there the I'd of August and
after landing troops went on to Arroyo
and it was reported that she had on board
a large supply of fresh beef. The Manitoba
a large transport from Newport News, ar
rived at Ponce few days later, and, like
the Massachusetts. went on reef The
troops We're landed and the vessel was got
off She had a supply of fresh beef
which was controlled. he understood. by
some chemical process-that is, he explain
ed, the ammonia process for keeping the
meat cool and not chemicals applied to the
meat.
Did Not Inspect the Meat.
He went on board the vessel but did not
inspect the meat. The Manitoba, with an
other vessel with the supplies, was sent to
another point along the coast where troops
were stationed. He was Informed that the
beef and the other supplies were delivered.
but he knew nothing of the condition of
the supplies except from that of small
portion which was delivered in Ponce
The beef that was taken off at Ponce
was in good condition, but there were
some quarters of the beef that were spotted
| and discolored. There was a mold on it as
there Is, the witness said, on all beef taken
from refrigerator He had been told that
II the mold was scraped off the beef would
be good to use. He furnished this beef TO
! the sick. He did not eat 1t himself, but for
his own use had native beef.
Explained His Duties.
In reply to further questions, he explain
ed that his duties as chief quartermaster
| cut him off almost entirely from the COM
missary department, and the latter was In
| charge of Capt. Pomeroy. In the course of
| the questioning the witness stated that he
entered the military service on the Sd of
| July last, and prior to that time he was a
| farmer
| The witness stated that he was without
blanks for making requisitions and he ex-
| planned that the reason was that before he
| LETT the city he sent to the commissary
general for supply and was informed that
| they would not be needed.
The Canned Meat.
In regard to canned meat the witness said
he had eaten it, and, while it was not pleas
ing to the eye, 1t tasted good to a hungry
man. Complaints were received about the
condition of the meat and the contents of
some of the cans were found to be bad
He stated that before he came into the
army he had formed his ideas about can
ned beef. He went on to say that meat in
market was quoted all the way from prime
to Gamers" the latter being the cheapest
grade. This latter was beef from stock
such as bulls, runts and cattle that are not
likely to live through the winter. Knowing
the material which was used in canned
! soods, ne had not regarded with favor
such goods. Perhaps, he added, this was
a mere prejudice, but nevertheless he had
1t, and so he had never made use of such
meat on hunting trips on any emer-
gency occasion. He said that he received
no complaints from any one in Porto Rico
about canned beef, except from his depot
qnartermaster, Captain Pomeroy, who had
told him that the beef was not generally
acceptable.
In the course of further testimony the
witness stated that he had never heard of
chemically treated meat in the camnairn
until last December when the letter Of
DR.. W. II. Daley was read in his presence
at army headquarters in this city.
Upon the conclusion of the testimony the
commission went into executive session.