The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-08
BEEF REPORT OUT.
Mild Censures For
Miles, Maus and
Eagan.
PACKERS UPHELD.
Refrigerated Beef De
clared Good, But Canned
Unsuitable Rations.

Washington, May by direction of
the president, who approves the find
ings, Acting Secretary of War Meikle-
john today made public the report and
findings of the military court appoint
ed to investigate the charges made by
Major Gen. Miles, commanding the
army, that the beef supplied to the
army during the war with Spain was
unfit for the use of the troops.
The most important features of the
report are: The finding that the gener-
ais allegations that the refrigerated
beef was treated with chemicals, were
not established that his allegations
concerning the canned fresh or canned
roast beef were sustained as to it's I'M
suitability for food as used on the
transports and as a long continued Held
ration; censure of Gen. Miles for ''er-
ror'' in failing promptly to notify the
secretary of war when he first formed
the opinion that the food was unfit;
censure of the commissary general
(Gen Eagan) for the too extensive pur-
chase of the canned beef as an untried
ration; censure of Col. Maus of Gen.
Miles staff; the finding that the pack
ers were not at fault, and that the
meats supplied to the army were of the
same quality as those supplied to the
trade generally, and the Recommended
tion that no further proceedings pe
taken in the premises.
The conclusion of the court adverse
to further proceedings based upon the
charges is as follows: 1T has been de-
veloped in course Of inquiry, as reclted
in this report, that in some instances
certain individuals failed to perform
the full measure of duty or to observe
the proprieties which dignity high mil
itary command, but the court is OF
opinion that the mere statement In the
official report Of the facts developed,
meets the end of discipline, and that
interests of the service will be pest
subserved if further proceedings pc not
taken"
There is more or less criticism OF Gen.
Miles in various parts of the report.
Probably the most direct instance is the
one which states that beyond the crltl-
cisrn of officers found elsewhere in the
ort:sf''The court finds that against
none Of the officers, commanding corps,
divisions. brigades and regiments and
their staff officers should a charge Oh
guilt be brought.
"The court also finds that the major
general commanding the army had no
sufficient justification for alleging that
the refrigerated beef was embalmed or
was unfit for issue to troops. 1t also
finds that he committed an error IN
that having belief or knowledge as
claimed, that the food was unit, tnat
it caused sickness and distress, that
some Of it was supplied under the pre-
tense of experiment, that other beef
was embalmed, he did not Immediately
report such knowledge or belief to the
secretary Of war to the end that
proper remedy might be applied.
The report places the quantity OF
canned roast beef purchased for the
war by the commissary department az
6S47174 pounds, including 350,OOV
pounds which was brought from Liver
pool and other English ports. rms
amount is characterized as excessive,
and the commissary general Gen. Ea-
gam is severely criticized in several
parts of the document on this score.
One of the severest rebukes is as fol-
lows:
considering the little use that had
been made of this beef in the regular
army the probability that the volun-
teers were entirely ignorant of 1t, that
its use as a part of the field ration
had never been sanctioned by the presl-
dent or secretary of war, the court can
but characterize the actions of the
commissary general of subsistence as
unwarranted and reckless, in that he
ordered the purchase of such enormous
quantities of a food that was practical
" untried and unknown, and court
so finds The court pronounces this
act of the commissary general of sub
sistence a colossal error, for which
there is no palliation"
Speaking of the ration as a whole, the
court says: LAS to the effects of the
food supply having regard to both sur
ffciency and quality, it seems 10 be
clearly established that the army ration
as supplied, without modification TO the
troops serving in the West Indies, was
by no means well adapted Tor Use IN
tropical climate.
The document is signed by J. F.
Wade. major general U. S. volunteers,
president; George B. Davis, Lieutenant
colonel. deputy judge advocate general
recorded. The foregoing report EaVing
been submitted with the proceedings 70
the president, the following are tne
The findings of the court of inquiry
a , signed VIM. Mckinley.
The court of inquiry, of which Major
Gen. James F. Wade, U. S. volunteers.
is president, is hereby dissolved. By or
der Of the acting secretary OF war.
fSigned) H. c. Corbin,
Adiutant General.
kCen. Miles. when asked tonight
whether he had any comment to make
upon the beef report, replied that ne
had read It, but have nothing 10
saw he added, "either about the re-
mort the method of taking testimony,
or the conclusions reached
DOCS that mean that, so far as you
are concerned. you will let the matter
rest where the report leaves it, asked
the reporter.
7 have nothing to say replied Gen
Miles