The record-union., 1899-03-15

" Tie troops on the SNIP as IueIS W~AS
no facilities for cooking. The refriger-
ating apparatus was in the best Of con-
dition.
Did any change take place in the
beef?"
"On the return trip, when We were
within about two days of New York
the Chief Steward reported to me that
the beef was beginning to spoil; that he
had to cut out portions Of it in order to
prepare it for table. That condition
continued to increase until our arrival
in New York, when on the morning of
September -, think, he reported to
me that the beef was so bad that he did
not think it advisable to attempt to
use it any more. So we took on
fresh supply at New York.
What was done with the Manitoba
beef?"
'I reported it's condition to the Depot
Commissary, Colonel Woodruff, and a
board of survey was subsequently ap-
pointed There was some argument
about the ownership of the meat, but
the board proceeded in the regular way.
and made their report. I applied to
the Chairman for copy Of the proceed
ings, and he told me that the proceed
ings had been stopped. But obtained
a copy and learned from 1t that the
beef had been condemned and ordered
disposed Of In about ten days a light
er came alongside the ship and took
the beef away I received a telegram
from Mr.. Barry of Washington, who,
1 understood, was a representative Of
Swift & Co., to deliver it to the lighter"
Witness stated that the Chief Engin-
eer ON the Manitoba, who was familiar
with the handling of this meat, had
superintended the loading at Newport
News, and expressed himself satisfied
as to the way in which the transfer was
made. The temperature at Newport
News was 80 degrees, but the refrig-
| orator cars were run down to a covered
she'd where the cars were opened and
the beef Immediately taken aboard the
ship. The temperature in the refrig
Grating rooms ON board ship was at
times only "a degrees, and the engin-
eer was alarmed because he could not
get the temperature down to 33 de-
grees,. but he finally succeeded. The
beef, when it came aboard, was exam
ined by the witness. 1t was enclosed
in cheesecloth sacks and seemed to be
in prime condition. When taken off at
New York it had "whiskers" on-was
mouldy on the outside. The beard of
survey had several quarters examined,
and the beef inside was perfectly good,
but the board felt that as much mould
on the outside of the beef was bad, it
would be unsafe to issue to the troops.
Did you have any occasion to sus-
pect that the beef had been treated
with preservative?'
mo, SIR
Did any thing of that kind come to
your knowledge in conversation?
mo, sir''
In cross examination Major Lee drew
out that when General Gilmore looked
up smillngly' at Ponce, he said: Throw
it overheard; that will tighten you up
so much. and possibly enable you to get
off the reef"
The witness stated that he did not
consider the remark of General Gilmore
as wish to destroy the property The
witness stated that he had talked with
General Gilmore several times, and
even after the ship was off the reef in
the office of the Depot Commissary, try
ing to make some disposition of the
stores.
y,
Depot Commissary several days after
his arrival at Ponce, said to him: I'VE
have advertised for bids for fresh beef"
Witness protested He could not see
why Pomeroy could not make use of
beef on board the ship. Receiving an
indefinite reply, he went to General Gill
more, and again brought up the ques-
ton Of refrigerator. beef to General Gil
Il.
don't need it,
The witness did not know whether
notice had been sent that the troops
were to be supplied with the Manitoba
beef. There was only one small ice
plant at Ponce with capacity of four
tons a day, and the vessel was in the
harbor three weeks without issuing any
beef. He did not think beef would
keep very long in that country. JIdg-
ing from his experience on board ship,
it would not keep more than six or
seven hours after leaving the refrigera-
tors He understood that the meat
sent to the Sixth Illinois, and which
spoiled, was taken in an open wagon.
The Recorder then called Gustavus F.
Swift, President of Swift & Co. He
testified to two contracts entered into
between his company and the United
States Government with reference to
the supplying of refrigerated beef to
tn troops in Cuba and Porto Rico.
by whom were those contracts made
on the part of the United States?" asked
Colonel Davis.
by General Eagan. Advertisements
were issued and proposals received in
the usual form. We agreed to be re-
sponsible for the beef keeping twenty
four hours from issuing, and if in re-
frigerating house seventy-two hours
from the steamer issue. I suppose
there would be reasonable protection
as for any other commodity. When
we deal in beef we deal in perishable
article. 1t certainly should be protect
ed from the tropical sun
{ In the preparation of your refrigerat-
sed beef, what agent do you rely upon
9as preservative?"
Is Refrigerated air, nothing else"
81 Have you used at any time in con-
INJECTION with the preservation of re-
frigerated beef. any chemical preserva-
tive of any kind?'
ID mo, SIR
Cross-examined by Major Lee, wit
hess said: Il asked my brother in
Boston, E. C. Swift, to go to Washing
the terms of the contract. It was
Finally agreed upon between my broth
er and General Eagan / never met
General Eagan previous to the time the
contract was signed"
IL Mr.. Swift was questioned at length
pm his firms contract with the Gov
-