The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-02-15
GEN. ALGBR'S TESTIMONY!
He Appears Before the War Inyesti-
eating Commission.
DEFENDS HIS ADMINISTRATION.

The Secretary of War TestIfies That Ho
Was Never Interested in Nor Profited
by Contracts-No Complaints Regardt
ing Food From tho Army Itself-De-
clined to Issue Statement.
WASHINGTON, D. @. Especially Secretary
Alger, In response to an invitation OF the
War Investigating Commission, appeared
before that body on Thursday. The Secre-
tary was sworn by General Wilson.
During the continuance Of the war, said
Secretary Alger, he had been Kept con-
Btantly advised OF all actions taken by the
several bureaus. The chiefs Of bureaus
often reported to him several times day.
II he had not been advised Of any impor-
tant fact in regard to departmental work
the head OF one OF the bureaus was to
blame.
"Was the head OF any bureau guilty Of
failure to discharge his duty during the
coh.inuance Of the war;" asked Governor
Beaver.
"No. ST." replied Secretary Alger.
"Did any report come to you OF any tr-
regularity or OF any fraudulent practices
in the contracting for supplies furnished to
any department."
"No, SIR"
"Dld you directly or indirectly have any
interest In the selection OF any of the
camps occupied by any Of tho troops?"
"No, sir. never had any interest in any
camp. do not know that any one con-
nected with me had any such interest"
"Have you received any complaint from
- - - <ha 49,, xvht OF
Porto Rico as to the quality ofrefrigerated
and canned roast beef furnished the
armyp"
The Secretary replying, referred to his
annual report, quoting dispatch from
General Miles asking that no more beef be
sent because he could get large supply
there. General Miles had said something
about beef that had spoiled there. ..
Secretary Alger next told Of the tnspec-
tion OF camps, especially the tour OF in
spection by General Miles.
He (Algcr) never had received uny official
complaint from the armies In the field in
regard to fresh or canned meat furnished
the troops.
"Havs you any information that meat
was chemically treated?"
Nothing but what has been brought
out by this commission. Beef," he went
on, "has been used as an army ration for
many years, ana It's use was NOT an expert
ment in the Spanish War. No complaints
had been received from tho Camps in re-
gard to the beef"
When asked whether he was personally
interested in contracts for furnishing meat
the Secretary said, with positiveness: 8,
"I am not. .ILnever had, directly or in
directly, interest In any property, In any
thing, supplied 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 Mt Chickamauga and
Camp Thomas there had been a lack Of
medicines and supplies. The reports we're
investigated and supplies ordered at once.
He had never received report from the
Surgeon General TINT 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 comforta-
BILE. There had been many deficiencies
that 1t was impossible to remedy, but
everything that could be done had been
done. !
This closed the examination, and Secre-
tary Alger was asked whether he wished to
volunteer any statement, but he declined
to do so. :