The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-22


burt of inquiry, engaged in investigating
he beef charges preferred by Gcncri
Miles, continued today the hea 1ng Of
Testimony bearing upon the controversy.
A number of army officers who partici-
pated in the Santiago campaign were
heard. Practically without exception
the officers condemned the canned roast
beef. furnished as 4 travel ration, and
reviewed complaints about it which the
men very generally made, declaring 1t
unpalatable and wanting in nutriment.
On the other hand, the refrigerated beef
suffered but little at the hands of to-
days witnesses, it being generally CON
ceded that it was good when delivered
from the transports, and when it escaped
the decomposing effect of the tropical
sun en- route to the several commands
it was found TO be satisfactory
General commissary methods in Cuba
were inquired into. Difficulty in pre-
venting taint before cooking was ex
perienced generally. There was very lit
tie in to-day's evidence pointing to any
use Of chemicals upon this beef. The
contention of General Miles that the
army in Cuba and Porto Rico should
have been supplied with herds of cattle.
or beef ON the hoOf, instead of refriger-
afed beef was supported by every WIT
ness who to-day gave his opinion upon
this question. A feature of to-day's ses
sion was the general assertion Of wit
nesses that they would not have felt it
their duty to the men or the army or
ganization to have made any special
report upon the beef had it not been for
the special orders calling for such re-
ports, but rather would have permitted
the unsatisfactory ration to pass with
out further notice as an incident to
warfare, and to the peculiarly trying
conditions with which the army was con-
fronted at the outbreak of the war.
A number of officers testified to the be-
lief that a very small proportion of sick
ness in Cuba was due to the beef or un-
wholesome rations, but rather to the
climate. The examination of witnesses
will continue tomorrow and perhaps all
of this week in Washington and the ties.
timony henceforth is expected to be
generally cumulative
Many officers are to appear, among
them being General Joe Wheeler and
Governor Roosevelt. Late this week or
early next week the court will leave for
Chicago and other western meat cen
tres where they will inspect the pack
ing houses of the firms which furnished
beef to the army. A thorough study
OF the methods employed in preparing
refrigerated and canned roast beef will
be made and witnesses will be examined
in the different cities.
Colonel William II. Powell, of the
Ninth infantry, testifying in regard to
the canned roast beef, said he had some
of it served at his own table at Santiago.
II could not eat it, he continued 1t
was Il stringy, unwhoIesome looking
mass, more like wet seaweed than any
thing else / can think Of We had at
that time To- sick. Soon after than the
fresh beef began to arrive and the men
ate readily and began to pick up in
health. Afterward we were moved near
the San Juan battlefield. Here much OF
our meat spoiled before we could get
it,"
Regarding the refrigerated beef, Col
Powell said there was little to be said
against ii except that some Of it spoiled
before it arrived. There were no facili-
ties for cooking while in the city except
a fire in the gutter, and all food had to
be boiled
Colonel Davis then produced a report
from witness. made from Governors
Island on September Goth, in which he
condemned the canned roast beef. saying
it produced disorders of the stomach.
Colonel Powea said he had made that
report on an order from the Adjntant
Generals office, and it was based on
personal knowledge and reports from
his company commands.
Replying to another question he said he
had disclosed to fellow officers either at
Santiago or Montauk that the rcfriger-
ated beef tasted as though il had come
i'll contact with chloroform or kerosene.
This was noticeahly true when boiled.
For years he said he had not personally
used refrigerated beef upon his own
table, because he felt it would nauseate
him.
In reply to direct question of Col
Davis, the witness said he had never
entertained an idea at Santiago or J b.
tauk that the beef had been tire
chemically to preserve it.
Colonel Albert r. Smith. Thirtf
infantry, who was with his regime
Santiago, testified that the refriiie
beef was good except on one day ao4fcr
it was spoiled. He understood the beef
had been lying in the sun on the dock
Colonel Smith said he had reason to
believe very little canned roast beef had
been eaten except in soup. Investigation
made in September showed that ii had
given practically no satisfaction in eth
or soup or when eaten from the can.
He had no suspicious while using either
the canned or refrigerated beef that it
had been treated with chemicals
Lieutenant Colonel Charles d. Viele.
of the First cavalry, testified that the
canned roast beef gave no satisfaction
at ALL He saw great deal of it thrown