The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-03-28
SWIFT On The STAND
Explains His Beef Contract
With the Government.
ONE OF HIS HIRED MEN
Tells How the Process. Fell
lows Disguised Eagan.

Washington, March Z7.-The military
court of inquiry appointed by the president
TO make an investigation OF the beef fur
nished the army during the Spanish war
has returned to Washington and at
o'clock today resumed its sittings in the
Lemon building. The members of the
committee are hopeful that they VII be
able 70 conclude their work within the
next ten days and expect 10 have some
important witnesses before them in that
time. including General Eagan, who viii
be recalled. II is also expected that Gen
erai Miles VIII be given an opportunity 70
testify.
Mr.. Z. c. Swift. president Of the Swift
Packing company. was the first witness
who appeared. He Is a resident of Lowell.
Mass, and gives especial attention 10 the
eastern interests Of the company. He as
sisted in preparing the contract for sup
plying beef for Cuba during the war, CON-
ing TO Warrington for that purpose first
on the 23rd Of June. Mr.. Swift stated
that he starte dto Washington in response
to a request from General Eagan wheli
it appeared that his firm had made the
lowest bid. The converse ton with Gen.
eral Eagan on this occasion was somewhat
general, relating to the conduct of the
business. He was here only a day and
was told before he left that the contract
would be awarded TO his firm. General
Eagan had. however, stated at that time
that ne could not go into details with him
until he could make some necessary in
%.
made his second visit to Washington on
June 29. when the contract was submitted
to him. He had then made some objec-
tons to the terms of the agreement as
presented to him. One Of these objections
was to the terms which he thought might
require the beef company to deliver beef
by lighter. he complaining that the CON-
pany could not reasonably be expected to
deliver at only such points as had rail-
road tracks alongside the wharfs. 1t was
also understood that the beef was to be
supplied only TO the port towns, the in
land points to be furnished with beef killed
in the country. They were TO keep on
hand sufficient supply for 20 hours con-
sumption, this time to be extended "A
hours under special exactions. Shore re-
frigeration was contemplated in all the
conversation, and with this understand
ing that this was to be had the company
had agreed that the quality of the beef
should be maintained for three days and
nights.
In response TO a question from Major
Lee, Mr. Swift stated that General Eagan
had during the interview with him men
/
ton of a process for preserving meat, but
General Eagan did not go into details, Civ
ing no name of the inventor or of the
process. Major Lee then stated that
General Eagan had said in his testimony
before the board that the company had
guaranteed that the beef should be kept
good for seventy-two hours after leaving
the refrigerator either on shipboard or
on shore.
81 can only say" responded Mr.. Swift,
that General Eagan. at the time of the
Outstanding OF the contract that I had.
In view of this testimony l can only say
that ne was mistaken"
Major Lee-Then the insertion of the
clause limiting to twenty-four hours the
time for fresh beef after being taken out
of the refrigerator was not a clerical error,
as suggested by the general?
Mr.. Swift-That cannot be so. He said
his agents would take good care TO protect
the meat from the sun, and l assured him
that if this were done the meat would
be good twenty-four hours after being
taken from the refrigerator.
-baf
frigerator beef in torrid country would
keep longer than an ordinary person would
think it would, on account OF outside ap-
pearance. As a consequence Of his repre-
eentations the first draft OF the contract
had been changed by General Eagan in
several particulars.
Mr.. Swift sad in reply 10 a question that
the dressed beef export business was grow
ing rapidly at the expense of The eKpor-
tation OF live cattle. There was, he said,
a sure demand abroad for the refrigera-
tor beef and in London this beef was sup
Piled 20 the best trade.
Charles z. Barry. travelling salesman
for Swift & Co. followed Mr.. Swift He
testified TO rs participation IN the negotia-
tons with General Eagan TO secure the
army contract, saying he had met the
general several times on this subject, the
first meeting being in May Of last year.
before me issuance Of the advertise u1ent
for bids He also understood that the =
hour clause applied only 70 the time tbs
beef was TO De kept n the refrigerator
an shore. There was an especial under
Standing with General Eagsn as 90 the
e4-ho,gr cause. limiting me time during
which the beef could be kept cut % refrig-
orator. he agreeing that u should be kept
constantly under cover. Mr.. Barry related
-has On one DAY waea he was ~ General
Fsran's Office prior % The letting q ihe
contract. the after complained % TIE
number % people roo we're writing istfers
70 hin concerning the processing % BEEF
The general BAD then handel hira let
te- from NJ Powell q SsW York Ean
Gained 20 have process sOr preserving
rpeat. saving DO had -hipp@8 beef prepared
,,r,,s..- &, % points 10 The southern states
IL struck rise said Mr. Barr. ~froFn
General EaEans aenarfor that as Ess d.
4---ed AZ tas thought lie said re EaS
a..-,ansln- On the resr EerafoT beef sz6
--5ass orfv deaf w5ta ta3s4 sao oo1sd sgr-
ush 81
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