The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-25
EAGAN BEFORE
ENQUIRY BOARD
Denied That PrOSerVatiFeS We're Used in
Any Meats.
DEFENDED THE CANNED BEEF
Explained Why ii Had Been Supplied to
the Troops.
OTHER OFFICERS GIVE EVIDENCE
Refrigerated Beef Commended While
the Canned Product Suffered as
Sequence of Days Testimony
Preservatives offered.
Ter OFFICERS GIVE EVIDENCE

Washington, February 24.-After a ses-
sion of little more than two hours the
court of inquiry investigating the beer
charges adjourned until Monday, pending
the arrival of witnesses who have been
summoned. Former Commissary- General
Eagan today concluded his testimony, ex-
beef supplies to the armies in Porto Rico,
Cuba and the Philippines. He very vigor-
ously denied any knowledge of any chemi-
cal treatment of beef to preserve it and
disayowed any connection whatever of the
government with any such treatment.
He further defended the canned roast
beef, explaining why 1t had been sent to
the troops, and when Colonel Davis, the
recorder, asked him If any food had been
used as an experiment or pretense of ex-
pertinent suggested by General Miles,
which precipitated the Eagan courtmartial,
the former commissary-general, with great
dignity, replied sweepingly in the negative
General Eagan was followed by Major S.
B. McYoung and other officers who were
in the Santiago campaign and by officers
of the subsistence department. The re-
frigerated beef was commended, while the
canned roast beef on the whole rather
suffered as a sequence to today's testi-
mony.
Preseryatives Were Offered
General Eagan said many persons had
offered alleged preservative processes, but
he never entertained any such propositions
and the department had never had any con-
nection whatever with any method of pre-
nth 10 ra-
frigerating process as he understood 1t.
Refrigerated beef was approved by army
physicians. He said he received on Aus
gust General Otis telegram from Porto
Rico asking that no more refrigerated
beef be SENT as he could secure native
cattle. AT that time car of refrigerated
beef was on the Manitoba consigned to
Porto Rico; freight was paid and it was
allowed to proceed. Had that not been
the case, said Eagan, it would not nave
gone. After that no more was sent TO
General Miller in the Philippines, canned
roast beef being sent. No complaint mas
been heard. The Australian frozen beef
was delivered at cents at Manila, the
government paying s4OO per day while the
ship was detained at Manila. No mutton
was sent. The government is now erecting
a large refrigerator pant at Mania 10
avoid the expense of the ship detention,
it being the purpose to continue the use
of Australian beef
IT would like to say in regard to the abuse
of this timed roast beef that when it was
kept In the holds of vessels or exposed in
the tropical sun the effect is like Hiat of
the sun on the best canned butter in Ari-
zona. 1t remains perfectly good, though
it becomes very repulsive in appearance"
To BE Eaten From the Can
He said IL nothing better could be Sc
cured it was to be eaten from the cans,
but only In emergencies, the real intention
being to use it with vegetables.
General Eagan said the question of the
meat component of the army ration for the
tropics was never discussed with General
Miles or General Shafter nor to his knowl-
edge did either ever inquire at his office
Witness was very busy and the opportunity
was not offered. Had 1t been, he would
have seized it.
Colonel S. b. McYoung, Third cavalry
who was in the Santiago campaign, said no
complaints about the timed roast beef were
heard. On the contrary he understood 1t
was rather liked.
Prior to the campaign he never heard OF
this beef.
Major A. H. Bowman, Second infantry
had no complaints from his command in
Cuba. He did hear, however, unofficial
complaints from other commands that the
canned roast beef was unsatisfactory and
unpalatable. He ate some of it, but 1t
seemed to have been boiled excessively and
deprived of its subsistence. 1t seemed old
as though canned long time and he and
other officers remarked informally about It,
Refrigerated beef was very satisfactory.
Captain ]. M. Arras Smith, Third infan-
try, major commissary department. sta
toned at Chickamauga, testified to the sat
isfaction which both the refrigerated and
canned roast beef gave at Camp Thomas. !.
Captain Henry L. Ripley Third cavalry.
heard no complaints of canned roast beef,
but It was almost tasteess and the men
seen refused to eat it, though he heard no
formal complaints. Refrigerated beef gave
general satisfaction.
Adjournment was taken until 1 O'clock
Monday.