Evening star., 1899-03-11
Testimony Of Maj. Smith Before Army
Court Of Inquiry.
he WAS ON SHAFTER'S STAFF
On Cross-Examination Acknow|-
edged He Heard Of Bad Beet.
BLAMED DIVISION OFFICERS

CHICAGO, March 1.-THE army court of
inquiry which is investigating the beef
question began the taking of testimony to-
day, having finished the examination of the
plants at the stock yards, where the meat
is prepared for consumption.
From the best information obtainable the
court will contine its inquiries while in this
city to these points:
1. The kind of beef used in preparing
'roast beef"
.. The process of canning, the purpose
being to determine whether the nutriment
is extracted from the meat.
B. The disposition of condemned animals.
f. Explanation of contracts from the
packers.
1t is believed the court will be able to
cover these phases by Monday or Tuesday,
as the witnesses are to be confined, with
perhaps two three exceptions, to the
packers and their employees.
Maj. Jesse Lee, who is looking after the
interests of Gen. Miles, occupied chair
with the board of inquisitors.
Major Smith on the Stand.
The first witness called was Major Fred
A Smith, chief commissary OF the Depart
ment of the Great Lakes 1t was the duty
of Major Smith to purchase all the supplies
used by the soldiers, both while in camp
in the various parts of this country and
also the supplies used in Cuba and Porto
Rico
Major Smith was on Gen. Skaters staff
during the entire Cuban campaign. He
said: Il never heard of any complaints be-
Ing received at headquarters on the SUBJ
jet of rations. l had in charge the un-
leading of the beef that was brought to
Cuba on the transports Mississippi and
Fort victor. l saw it every day and It
made a very favorable impression on lle
| thought the beef of excellent quality and
had no reason to change my mind during
all the time l continued to issue it. In
point OF preservation it's condition was
good. 1t was good beef as 1 ever saw
ihere We're no complaints received while
was there
Meat Was Not Tainted.
Col. Davis asked: WAS any of the meat
tainted or had decomposition set imp
NO, sir" was the reply.
There were no requests made to ax-
change meat. 1t was received with pleas
ure by those to whom I issued it. and l
heard no unfavorable comments ON it-whaf-
ever There were never any complaints
received with respect to the canned roast
beef, so far as my knowledge goes. I saw
it used frequently and l ate it myself on
ship board and on shore. Not even anv un-
Official complaints reached me. I arrived
IN New York August II and was ordered
TO Chicago as chief commissary of the De-
partment OF the Lakes.
Major Lee asked:
so far as You know. the canned roast
beef, or boiled beef, was entirely satisfaat-
tory to the troops?"
Il did not state that in my testimony: I
said that so far as | knew no official com
plants or written complaints We're made"
as II practicable TO have furnished
refrigera ted beef fresh to the troops in
their operations before the surrender"
Yes, sir" -.....
Was any effort made to so furnish il? ?"
Not 10 my knowledge .~E
Heard of Some Had Beef
In answer to questions from Major Lee,
the meat was not in first-cass condition
when it re1ched the camps. but always
thought that was due to the negligence Of
the division comnissaries themselves. He
had frequently seen wagons standing about
for an ho.r or TWO after issue without be-
ing unloaded
DO you wish the court to infer 1kas ,the
due to the Neglect Of these officers, or to
the conditions under which they had to get
the beef out theIe?'
Il presume it was due to the conditions
and the difficulty of transportation" .
If under the terms of the contract that
beef was to last seyenty-tWo hours, We're
there any facilities in these camps around
Santiago to enable the troops to carry out
that provision of the contract?"
mo. sir
DO you believe it was a possible thing
for that beef to last forty-eight o. seventy
two hours?'
mo, sir, | do not"