Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-04-22
THE BEEF INQUIRY.
TESTIMONY REVIEWED AND RE
PORTS ItEAD-PRESIDENT
INSTRUCTIONS.
(By Telegraph to Virginia Pilot.)

INSTRUCTIONS.
(By Telegraph to Virginia. Pilot.)
Washington. April 2l.-The Wade
Court of Inquiry devoted to-day's ses-
sion to reviewing testimony, and to-
night held another session for the pur-
pose OF reading reports, letters. depo-
sitions and other papers bearing upon
the beef investiga ton. The most in
teresting matter developed was Presi-
dent MclNinley's Instructions to the
Court of Inquiry, which were delivered
10 the members Of the court on Feb
ruary 20 last.
THE INSTRUCTIONS.
These instructions vera read by Col
onel Davis in order to make them n
part of the record. and are as follows:
me character and quality of the
meat, refrigerated and canned. furnish
ed To the army; how purchased; how
shipped to the soldiers: if good when
shipped, what the cause of It's deterio-
ration, il any?
IF the meat was doctored. did the
Commissary General or any of his off,
GERS have any knowledge of 1t or
means Of knowledge?
Was 1t the meat of commerce.?
"Was it inspected by the Government
inspectors as provided by law?
Was it an authorized ration in the
army?
IF good when purchased what made
it bad?
Was it anybody's neglect or fault.
and If so, whose?
When unfit for use. If you should
so find. was the fact made known to
the War Department: when and by
whom?
'lf after leaving the depot commits
sarE 1t was not cared for and pro-
perry preserved, whose fault?
Was IL suitable ration for the
campaigns In Cuba ana Porto Rico?
BILE?
Would it have been prudent for our
troops to have made the expeditions to
santiago and Porto Rico without the
preserved meats. either REFRIGERATED on.
canned. with which they We're supplied?
could the army with any certainty
rely upon the cattle on the hoor on
those islands?
DID the commanding officers in San
tiaGo or Porto Rico, or the Mnjor-Gen
eral commanding. report during the
war mat either the refrigerated or
canned beef was an unfit ration?
ana by whom?
IF the allegations of the Maior-Gen-
clal commanding are established I
want the court to find the cause and
iiX the responsibility for the fact, that
the guilty may be properly punished.
Did the cattle in Porto Rico make
a wholesome ration?
IF the packers of the country are
guilty it must be known
IT the officers Of the commissary de-
rartment arc guilty it must be known.
"lf any officer of the army is guilty
1t must be known"
REPORTS SUBMITTED.
Both Major Lee and Colonel Davis
submitted number Of reports and Il
mass OF correspondence. Among the
documents read by Colonel Davis was
letter from the Washington attorneys
Of McsSrS. Armour II Co, dated June
10, 1898. after the contract for beef had
been let. asking for Il reconsideration of
the subject in the interest of their
clients. and an endorsement by General
EaSan, as commissary general, oppos-
ing the request In their letter the at
torncys represented that the Armours
controlled the Powell process for the
treatment Of meat. and this fact gave
them sucl an advantage in the preser-
walton of fresh beef as to justify the
War Department in disrcgardng the
difference in price. ana awarding them
the contract. In his endorsement Gene
raj Easan referred to the letter of the
attorneys as IL special pleading" and
said there was no reason in this plea
why the subject should he ieopened.
The tests made by Armour q Co. are
not the only tests that have been
made" he said. land there is no doubt
whatever in my mind but that the beef
can he furnished as required"
This document was introduced by
Colonel Davis to show that General
Eagan had not been influenced by the
representations concerning the Powell
process.
EAGAN'S KNOWLEDGE.-
Major Lee submitted Il deposition by
j. s. Armstrong. president OF the ARM
strong Packing Company. Of Dallas,
Ten, which. among other things set
forth the substance of "a conversation
with General Pagan. Air. Armstrong
was one OF The bidders for beef in block
and said that while he was here in
Washington he discussed with General
EaSen the question of beef being kept
for seVcnty-two hours after being taken
from the refrigerator. Mr.. Armstrong
said he EXPRESSED the opinion that it
was impossible. 10 which General Eagan
replied that Swif, & Go. and Armour
both had knowledge Of process by
Iii. hptaT lt. 20,