Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-27
ALGER ON THE STAND.
HE TEsTIFIEs BEFORE THE DODGE
COMMISSION.
NOT INTERtSTED IN CONTRACTS.
Never Received Any Official Com
plant in Regard to- Fresh or Cam
Chicknmauga-Mo

Alger. I'm response TO an invitation OF the
War-Investigation Commission, appeared
before that body to-day. The Secretary
was sworn by General Wilson, after
which Governor Beaver. after asking per-
mission to use the title General" instead
OF "Mr Secretary" began the examina-
ton Of the head of the War Department.
Secretary Alger, in beginning, stated
that he had been on duty at the War
Department constantly during the war
with Spain and arterward.
The chiefs OF bureaus in the depart
ment he said, were generally appointed
to such places because of seniority, but
the President, IL he thought proper, could
break this rule.
When asked I'm regard to expenditures
by the department Of the war fund, the
Secretary replied that the larger part had
been devoted TO strengthening coast de-
fences.
During the continuance Of the war he
had been kept constantly advised Of all
actions taken by the several bureaus. IL
he had not been advised OF any important
fact in regard to the departmental work,
the head OF one OF the bureaus was to
blame
SOME EARLY DEFECTS.
II any report originating outside of the
department came 10 him. he investigated
il at once During the early days OF the
war. with large body Of troops 10 pro-
vide for. some defects were apparent TX
was not because OF a lack OF funds, but
because It was impossible TO handle pro-
perly so large a body Of men on short no.
tice Witness did not recall having re-
ceNcd during the war complaints IN re-
gard 10 the food furnished the army
There was a shortage Of food at Santiago
not because there were no supplies ouI
because they could not be landed from
the ships No old soldier, said the Sec
Rotary ne believed would make harsn
criticism of the food furnished the army
under the circumstances. He had never
had any cause during the war for com
plant Of any officer.
"Was the head OF any bureau guilty Of
failure to discharge his duty during tbs
| continuance of the ware" asked Governor
Beaver
mo. sir" replied Secretary Alser.
did any report come TO you OF any ir-
! regularity or Of any fraudulent practices
I'm tho contracting for the supplies fur
nished to any department."
NO. sir"
| no INTEREST IN CAMPS.
Did you. directly or indirectly. have
any interest In the selection Of any OF
the camps occupied by any Of The
| troops?'
NO. sir I never had any interest in
] any camp. do not know that any enc
connected with me had any such inter-
est"
did you have any interest in any con-
/ ff.I d.
war;"
mot to a cent in any contract" re-
piled the Secretary. emphatically.
Docs that apply TO transports pur-
| chased?"
yes. sir"
The Secretary went on to state that he
| had never had any personal interest In
| the expenditure Of government funds, di-
| rectly or indirectly. No contracts fol
equipment were entered into prior to the
! declaration Of war.
THE PORTO RICO BEEF.
| did you receive any complaint from
the Major-General Of the army while HI
was at Porto Rico as TO the quality Of
refrigerated and canned roast beef fur
nshed the army
The Secretary, replying, referred 10 his
annual report quoting d dispatch from
General Miles, asking that no more beef
be sent. because they could get a large
supply there. General Miles had saiC
something about beef that had spoiled
there
Governor Beaver asked whether II wer,
true that no actual preparation for wal
mad been made before the declaration OF
war because It was thought war would
be averted. No reply was expected II tn,
question was not deemed by the Score
airy a proper one. The witness replied
that there had been hopes that the wal
would be averted.
The CHIEFS OF the several bureaus o
! H., department had never assembled L
... .-rnou OF war They were al
too busy. In regard to the Inspector
! .,..s once. tue secretary did no
consider tnat the bureau had been prac
| tically abolished by the transfer or officer
10 other duty He believed that II re
! aimed It's efficiency.
] Secretary Alger next told Of the inspec
ton Of the camps, and especially tn
tour Of inspection by General Niles. II
! .Ager) never had received any oiicla
| Complaint from the armies IN the Held 4
| ~egard "a the fresh or canned meat tur
| nished the troops.
| NO KNOWLEDGE OF "EMBALMING
Have you any Information that mea
was chemically tieated%'
Nothing but what has been brought on
| lr this commission.
Beef. he went on, had been used a. a
rmy ration Tor many years, and It's US
gas not an experiment IN the SPANS
var No complaints had been receive
~ him from the camps in regard 70 tn
beef.
When asked whether he was PERSONAL
| Interested IN contracts for furn.shin
neat he Secretary said with positive
ness. Il am not, sir, either directly or 10
| directly. interested in any property eve
.upplied to this government
He had never z ~ an ofnclas 20
port that beef furnished the army ha
| ausa sickness & LA. receive
,orts from several 80 lrces that al Chich
manga and Camp Thomas there had be
| o. lack Of medicines aud suppl "a
| These reports were Investigated ah1 SUI
g were ordered. H had never receive
a report from the Surgeon General ma
| b. was unable furnish supplies
THE MONTAUK CAMP.
~ regard 10 the arrival Of the F1ft
.orns AZ Montauk he said that every 20
d. BIZ prrcsutio had been taken TO max
IA camp healthful and comfortabl
mere mad been many deficiencies tina
vas impossible 10 rene ~. but every
hing tbat could be done had been done.
This closed tn examin ton. and Sc
-starv Algrr was asked whether ne will
to vol nteer any statements but n
declined TO do so.