The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-05-09


erpool and other English ports. This
amount is characterized as excessive,
and the commissary-gen General
Eagan) is severely criticised in sew
eraI parts of the document on this
score. One of the severest rebukcs is
as follows:
RECKLESS PURCHASES BY EAGAN.
considering the little use that had
been made of this beef in the regular
army, the probability that the yolun-
teers were entirely ignorant of it, that
its use as a part of the field ration
had never been sanctioned by the
President or Secretary of War, the
court can but characterize the action
of the Commissary-Gener of Sub
sistence as unwarranted and reckless
in that he ordered the purchase OF
such enormous quantities of food
that was practically untried and I'M
known, and the court so finds.
THE court also finds that there is
no ground for any imputation what
ever of any other actuating motive on
the part of the Commissary-Gene
than the earnest desire to procure the
best possible food for the troops. The
court pronounces this act of the
Commissary-Genera of Subsistence a
colossal error for which there is no
paliation.
The court finds that there was neg
lect in Cuba, and, to a less degree, in
Porto Rico in delivering the refriger-
ated beef. THE court" says the re-
port, does not wish TO state the
case more strongly than to say that
the finding appears to be warranted
that 700 much time was consumed in
distributing this perishable article.
The fault. if any there was. rested
With the brigade and higher command
ing officers and their commissaries
and ouartermasterS, but the teSti-
mony is not so definite or specific as
to warrant the naming bp the court
o. any particular officers.
NED ROAST BEEF Al RATION.
THE court is OF the opinion that
the canned roast beef was not suit
q -.e as travel ration on transports,
considering the absence of cooking
facilities and the absence from ration
of fresh vegetables and condiments.
i or use ON shore as n fed ration
where the companies had their camp
cooking equipment and vegetables
were available. canned roast beef is
suitable for issue, say, two DAYS III
ten, but not for two days in success
sion. In some organization 1t seems
TO have constituted at least one-halt
of the meat ration, aud until after the
surrender the troops had no means
for other cooking than was prac'ica-
BILE with the individual kit carried.
FOR such extensive use, or any use eX-
ceeding one day in five, the court
finds this beef unsuitable.
''The refrigerated beef is, in the
opinion of the court. a suitable ration
for troops when it can be issued to
them in good condition"
The opinion is expressed that It would
have been impraciicable 20 land beef
cattle on the hoof in Cuba. the REMARK
If the court on this point being Us
follows:
The commanding general Of the exp
dition characterizes as absurd such Il
and many of his commanding
officers whose opinion is given in the
testimony conceded with him in tins
impracticability or inexpediency of such
L project. The court concurs in the
opinion of these men, whose.ex perience
1861
THE PACKERS ENONERATED.
An instruction of President Mckinley
to the court was that IF the packers
Of the country are guilty, it must be
known" Replying TO this direction, the
court says:
The court finds that at the out
break of hostilities, in April, 1893, the
packers of canned beef were engaged
in the manufacture of an article OF
standard quality, wen known to the
trade and the subsistence department,
under the name Of canned roast beef
The methods of packing then in use
were the same as those hahtually en-
ployed in the preparation of the meat
as an article of commerce. and the
court does not find that they underwent
any change during the progress of the
war.
he large purchases for the use OF
the military forces during the months Of
May and June, 1898. were made not at
the solicitation of the packers or i'll CON
sequence of efforts put forth by them
for that purpose but by the order and
upon the initiative of the commissary-
general of subsistence, such purchases
being made III every case by officers OF
his department in the usual manner"
Replying specifically to other questions
set out by the President, the court says:
The canned beef was described as
fresh because it was not sailed, but the
meat was not old or stale. The refrig
Grated beef furnished the army was not
loctored or treated with any other
agency than cold air.
Tile me at purchased for the army
was the meat Of commerce; both kinds
refrigerated and canned-were such as
ire well known i'll both hemisphereS as
commercial articles, of which there IS
md has been very large consumption lot
only by the trade generally, but by the
United States Navy and by the armies
md navies of Europe.
NO reports of untitness or unsuitable
ty OF the beef sent from the United
states were forwarded to the War De
partment by any general officer serving
in Cuba or Porto Rico. while the field Oh
erations were i'll progress. nor were any
such reports received until more tnan one
month after hostilties ceased
MILES HAS NOTHING TO SAY.