The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-27
ALGER'S TESTIMONY.
The Secretary Examined by the War
Investigating Commission.

investigating commission.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-Secretary Alger
to-day appeared before the war investiga-
ting commission and denied positively that
he ever. directly or indirectly, had been in
terested in any army camps or any sup
plies furnished the government during the
Spanish All complaints mad been in
vestigated, and while there were defects,
they were only those inseparatble from sud
denly creating a great army.
General Alger was sworn by Secretary
Wilson. Governor Beaver, after asking per-
mission to use the title general" instead
of Mr.. Secretary" began the examination
of the head of the War Department
Secretary Alger in beginning, stated that
he had been on duty at the War Department
constantly during and after the war with
Spain. The chiefs of bureaus in the de-
partment, he said, were generally appoint
ed to such places because of seniority, but
the President, if he thought proper, could
break this rule. When asked in regard to
expenditures by the department Of the war
fund, the secretary replied that the larger
part had been devoted to strengthening
coast defenses. In anticipation of such
inquiry, he had brought with him memo
randums prepared by neads of bureaus CIV
ing details or the expenditure of this fund.
During the continuance of the war he had
taken by the several bureaus The chiefs
of bureaus often reported TO him several
times day. If he had not been advised of
any important fact in regard to depart
mental work the head of one of the bu-
reaus was to blame. If any report original
ing outside of the department came to him
he investigated it at once.
During the early days of the war, with
large body to provide for. some defects
were apparent. 1t was not because of lack
of funds, but because it was impossible to
handle properly so large a body of men on
received during the war complaints in regard
to food furnished the army. There was a
shortage of food at Santiago, not because
there were no supplies, but because they
could not be landed from the ships. No Old
soldier, said the secretary, he believed,
would make harsh criticism of the food
furnished the army under the circumstances.
He had never had any cause during the
war for complaint of any officer.
Was the head of any bureau guilty of
failure TO discharge MS duty during the
continuance of the warp asked Governor
Beaver.
mo, sir" replied Secretary Alger.
Did any report come to you of any ir-
regularity or of any fraudulent practices in
the contracting for supplies furnished to
any department.
No, sir.
Did you, directly or indirectly, have any
interest in the selection of any of the camps
occupied by any of the troops?"
No, sir. 1 never had any interest in any
camp. l do not know that any one con-
nected with me had any such interest"
tract for materials supplied during the
war;
Not to cent in any, contract" replied
the secretary, emphatically.
Does that apply to transports pur-
chased?'
The secretary went on to state that he
had never had any personal interest in the
expenditure of government funds, directly
We're entered into prior to the declaration
of war
Have you received any complaint from
the major general of the army while at
Porto Rico to the quality of refrigerated
and canned roast beef furnished the army"
The secretary, replying, referred to his
annual report, quoting a dispatch from
General Miles asking that no more beef be
sent because they could get a large supply
there. General Miles had said something
about beef that had spoiled there
Governor Beaver asked whether actual
preparation for war was not made before
the declaration of war was, because it was
thought it would be averted. No reply, how
ever. was expected if the question was not
deemed by the secretary a proper one. The
witness replied that there had been hopes
that war would be averted The chiefs of
the several bureaus of the department had
never assembled to hold a council of war
They were all too busy. In regard to the
inspector generals office, the secretary did
not consider that the bureau had been prac-
tically abolished by the transfer of officers
to otner duty. He believed that it retained
its efficiency.
Secretary Alger next told of the inspec-
ton of camps, especially the tour of in
spection by General Miles. He (AIger)
never had received any official complaint
from the armies in the field in regard to
fresh or canned meat furnished the troops
Have you any information that meat
was chemically treated?'
Nothing but what has been brought out
by this commission" Beef he went on
had been used as an army ration for many
years and its use was not experiment in
the Spanish war. No complaints had been
received by him from the camps in regard
to beef.
When asked whether he was personalIv
interested in contracts for furnishing meat
the secretary said, with positiveness: Il
have not; never had. directly indirectly,
interest in any property in anything sup
piled TO this government"
He had never received an official report
that beef furnished the army had caused
sickness He had received reports from
several sources that at Chickamauga and
Camp Thomas there had been a lack of
medicines and supplies. The reports were
investigated and supplies ordered at once
He had never received a report from the
surgeon general that he was unable to fur
niSh supplies. In regard to the arrival of
the Fifth Corps at Montauk he said that
every possible precaution had been taken to
make the camp healthful and comfortable
There had been many deficiencies that il
was impossible to remedy, but everything
that could be done had been done
This closed the examination and Secretary
Alger was asked whether he wished to vol
unteer any statements but he declined to
do