The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-27
ALGER CLOSELY QUESTIONED.
SAID EMPHATICALLY HE HAD NO
INTEREST IN CONTRACTS.

sion-NO Complaints Made to Him
About the Food Furnished the
Arnly-IIad No Personal Interest i'm
Expenditure of Funds--NO Re-
ports of Chemicals.
Washington, Jan. 26.-secretary Alger,
in response TO an invitation from the war
Investigation commission, appeared before
that body to-day.
The secretary was swsrn by Gen. Will
son, after which Gov Beaver, after ask
ing permission 90 use the title "generaP'
instead of MIR. Secretary" began the ex-
animation of the head of the war depart
meut
Secretary Alger in beginning stated that
he had been on duty at the war depart
ment constantly during the war with
SPAIN and afterward.
The chiefs OF bureaus In the depart
ment he said were generally appointed
TO such places from the army, because
Of seniority. but the President, II he
thought proper, could break this rule
When asked in regard to the expendi-
lures by the department of war funds the
secretary replied that the larger part had
been devoted TO strengthening coast de-
fenses.
During the continuance OF the war hs
had been kept constantly advised of all
actions taken by the several bureaus. If
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
IL any report originating outside of the
department came to him he investigated
1t at once.
Ia. 80
a large body to provide for, some defects
were apparent. 1t was not because of a
lack of funds, but because II was impossi-
BILE TO handle properly SO large a body of
men on short notice.
Received No Complaints.
Witness did not recall having received
during the war complaints in regard to
food furnished the army. There was a
shortage of food at Santiago, not because
there were no supplies, but because they
could not be landed from the ships. No
old soldiers said the secretary, according
TO his belief. would make harsh criticisms
of the food furnished the army under the
circumstances. He had never had any
cause during the war for complaint against
any officer.
was the head of any bureau guilty OF
failure to discharge his duty during the
continuance of the war?" asked Gov.
Beaver.
mo, SIR" replied Secretary Alger.
did any report come TO you of any ir-
regularity or any fraudulent practices in
the contracting for supplies furnished to
any department.
mo, SIR"
did you directly or indirectly have any
interest In the selection OF any of the
camps occupied by any of the troops2"
mo, sir; never had any interest In any
camp. / do not know that any one con-
nected with me had any such interest"
NO Interest in Contracts.
Did you have any interest In any con-
tract for materials supplied during the
WARP"
Not a cent in any contract" replied tho
secretary emphatcally.
Does that apply to the transports pur-
chased2"
yes"
The secretary went on to state that he
| had never had any personal interest i'm
the expenditure of the government funds,
directly or indirectly No contracts for
equipment were entered into prior to the
| declaration of war.
did you receive any complaint from the
! major general OF The army while at Porto
Rico as to the quality Of refrigerated and
canned roast beef furnished the army?"
The secretary, replying, referred TO his
annual report, quoting a dispatch from
sent, because they could get large sup
ply there Gen. Miles had said something
about beef that had spoiled there.
| Gov Beaver asked whether actual prep
aration for war was not made before the
declaration Of war, because 1t was thought
IL would be averted. No reply, however,
was expected II the question was not
deemed by the secretary proper one.
The witness replied that there had been
| hopes that war would be averted.
The chiefs of the several bureaus of the
| department had never assembled to hold
council OF war They were oil too busy.
Examined About Meat.
In regard TO the inspector generals Of
flee, the secretary did not consider that
the bureau had been practically abolished
by the transfer OF officers to other duty.
he believed that II retained It's efficiency.
Secretary Alger next told OF the inspec-
! lion of camps, especially the tour of in
| spection by Gen. Miles.
| He (AIger) never had received any Off
| cial complaint from the armies In the field
| in regard to the fresh or canned meat
furnished the troops.
''Have you any Information that meat
was chemically treated?'
Nothing but what has been borught
| out by this commission"
| Beef he went on, had been used as army
! rations for many years, and ats use was
/ not an experiment IN tHe spanish war.
No complaints had been received by him
from the camps in regard to the beef.
Made Emphatic Reply.
When asked whether he was personally
! interested in contracts for furnishing meat
the Secretary said with positiveness:
II am not, never had, directly or indi-
rectly interest IN any property, anything.
supplied to this government"
He had never received an official report
that beef furnished the army had caused
sickness
lie had received reports from several
sources that at Chickamauga and camp
Thomas there had been lack of medicines
and supplies The reports were investl-
gated and supplies ordered at once He
had never received n report from the sur
eeon general that he was unable to fur
nish supplies.
In regard to the arrival of the Fifth
Corps at Montauk, he said that every pos
sible precaution had been taken to make
fat.I