The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-01-27
PLEADED NOT GUILTY.
AIger Says He Didnt Make Anything
Ont of the War.

Washington, January sG-Secrctary
Alger. In response to an invitation OF
the war investigating commission, ap-
peared before that body today.
He said he did not recall having re-
ceived during the war complaints in re-
gard to floods furnished to the army.
There was n shortage Of. food at Santiago,
not because there were no supplies, but
because they could not be landed from
the ships. No old soldier, the secretary
believed, would make harsh criticism OF
the food furnished the army under the
cireum stances. He Rad never had any
cause during the wnr for complaint of
any officer.
WAS the head OF any bureau guilty
of failure to discharge his duty during
the continuance OF the war;" asked Gov.
| beaver.
dNo, sir, replied Secretary Alger.
"Did any report come to you of any
irregulaTity or any fraudulent practices
In the contracting for supplies to any
Department.
mo, sir. 4"
Did you directly OF indirectly have
any interest In the selection OF any OF the
camps occupied by any of the troopsS"
mo, sir. j never had any interest In
any camp. l don't know that any otho-
| iAls with me had any such Interest
Ibid you have any interest in am con-
tract for materials supplied during the
wary"
"Not to n cent In any contract, re-
piled the secretary, emphatically.
Does that apply to transports pur-
chased"
yes, sir
The secretary went ON to state that he
had never had any personal interest in
1 Z hn aNdt nf rrlrn m
directly or indirectly. No contracts for
equipment were entered prior to the
| declaration of war.
! 'haye you received any complaint from
tho major-general OF the army while a.
| Porto Rico, as to the quality of refrig-
eratered and canned roast beef furnished
| the srmyr'
The secretary, replying, referred to his
annual report, quoting - dispatch from
| Gen. Miles, asking that no more beef be
sent because they could get u large sup
ply there. Gen. Miles had said some
thing about beef that had spoiled there.
Gov. Beaver asked whether actual prs-
paration for war was not made before
| the declaration OF war was because 1t was
thought il would be ayerted.
No reply, however, was expected II the
question WAS not deemed by the secre-
| Jary "a proper one. The witness replied
that there had Ueen hope that war would
| DO averted.
The chiefs of the several bureau OF the
war department had never Assem- bled
| to hoId council of war. He believed
thnG it retained its efficiency. he had
never had received any official complaint
from the armies in the neld In regard to
| fresh or canned meat furnished the
| troops.
| "Have you any information that meat
was chemically treateds'
| Nothing, but what has been brought
out by this commission.
No complaints had been received by
him from the camps in regard to beef.
| When asked whether he was personally
| interested in contracts for furnishing
meat, the secretary said with positive
ness: II have not. | never had, directly
or indirectly interest in any property or
in anything supplied TO this govern
ment' -
He had never received an official report
that beef furnished the army mad caused
| sickness.
Secretary Alger was asked whether he
wished to volunteer any statements, but
he declined to do So