The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-25
EGAN'S DENIAL.
No Food Used as Expert
ment, Says the General.

today concluded his testimony, explain
ing the provisions of contracts for beef
supplies to the armies in Porto Rico
Cuba, and the Philippines. He vigor-
ously denied any knowledge of any
chemical treatment of beef TO preserve
1t. and disayowed any connection of
the government with any such treat
ment. He further defended the canned
roast beef explaining why IL mad been
sent to the troops, aud when Col
Davis, the recorder, asked him If any
FOOD had been used a.s an experiment
or pretence OF experiment, suggesting
Gen. Miles famous allegation that pre-
clpltated the Eagan court martial, the
former commissary general, with
great dignity and emphasis. replied
sWeepingly In the negative.
Gen. Eagan was followed by Major
Cen 5. b. M. Young and other officers
VINO were in the Santiago campaign and
by officers of the subsistence depart
ment The refrigerated beef was COM
mended while the canned roast beef
on the whole rather suffered, as a Sc
quence TO the days testimony
Next week probably Is Witnesses will
pc heard, among them perhaps Gov
Roosevelt Of New York, and II is ex-
pected that DIR w. H. DAILY viii be ex-
ainlned later in the week, when the
neef concerns VIII have their represen-
tatfves here TO hear the witness repeat
charges that the Refrigerated beef was
treated chemically. The beef concerns
had not been notified today when to
appear
Some time next week, according 10
present expectations, the court will
leave for the west, going first to Chi
caBo to Inspect the plants of the con-
Germs that furnished beef during the
"ar and later to Omaha. kansas CITY
and perhaps st. Louis
Gen. Charles r. Eagan resumed his
testimony. Referring to the contract
requirements, he explained that Swif(
y Co. were wholly responsible for the
neef delivered 70 The government OFF
Gals at the points designated by the
department The clause requiring beef
TO keep u hours AFTER Leaving the re-
frlgerator was inserted, he said, at his
instance, after the concerns declared
they could prepare it so as TO keep thar
long.
Speaking Of Arrangements for the
Porto Rican expedition. Cen lsaeen
said he understood THAI Gen Brooke
WAS to command It. and he according
~ consulted with Gen. Broohe, reach
ing complete and satisfactory Under
standing as to refrigerated beef Sub
seqlently he learned that Cen Miles
had assumed command. but he never
consulted with him Col Sharn. chief
commlssary for that expedition. was
furnished something like S250o00 cred
its on the United States, and IN offer
TO send cash was made, but declined.
This statement was intended to bear
upon Gen. Miles statement that the
FUNDS for purchase Of supplies in Porto
Rico We're not available.
Canned roast beef was declared by
comnissary officials at Tampa as the
best solution Of the fresh beef problem
until circumstances were such az
would admit the prompt delivery and
use OF refrigerated beef Ample ana
complete" declared Gen. Eagan. was
the authority Of the comnlisssries in
Cuba and Porto Rico to purchase beef
on the hoof for any emergencies or at
the VIII Of their respective command
ers. Reports received, he said. showed
as he thought, without exception, that
the native beef was not nearly so salts
factory as the refrigerated beef.
Were any rations of any kind" asked
Col. Davis, sent to the troops at any
time as an experiment."
Five thousand pounds of Dele beef
responded Gen Eagan. "a canned
preparation that made nice Ham,
burger steak was sent. IT found its
way to Porto Rico, was used, and ev-
erybody was delighted with it, 1t was
very expensive and was not purchased
any further"
He then reviewed the first shipment
of refrigerated beef to Santiago. which
he considered as experimental because
the value OF refrigerated beef had not
then been established finally. Aside
from these absolutely no other expert
mental shipments were made, Gen Ea-
gan declared with great emphasis, add
ing: "On the contrary, | fought all the
time against It,"
WAS anything furnished on the pre-
tense of experiment." asked Col Da-
Wis, suggesting Gen. Miles notable al
legation
mo sir, never, not 90 the value of a
penny" replied Gen. F,agan
Gen. Eagan said ne received Aug. 2
Gen. Miles' kilograms from Porto Rico
asking that no more refrigerated beef
be sent, as he could secure native cat
tie. At that time cargo of refriger-
ated beef was on the Manitoba CON
signed to Porto Rico, freight was paid.
and it was allowed to proceed. Had
that not been the case. said Gen Ea-
gan, 1t would not have gone After
that, no more was Gent TO Gen. Miles'
forces. Canned roast beef was sent
to the Philippines. No complaint had
been heard.
II would like to say IN regard to
the abuse Of this timed roast beef. THAI
when it is kept in the holds Of yes
sells or exposed in the tropical sun. it
remains perfectly good, though it be-
comes very repulsiYe ia appearance"
Replying to Col. Gillespie. Gen E;a-
gan said the question % the meat com
ponent of the army ration for the trop-
les was never discussed with tine com
mandlng general. Gen. Miles. nor was
his opinion asked
Col r. M. Young told OF Santiago
campaign experiences with beef No
complaints about the timed roast beef
were heard. On the contrary, he I'M
derstood IL was rather liked
Mai. A. III. Bowman Second infau-
try, had no complaints from his com
msnd in Cuba. the men ana officers.
he said, accepted the ration as the best
obtainable.
Capt. J NJ. Arrasmlth, major COM
missary department. stationed at
Chickamauga, testified to the satlsfac-
ton which both the -iuned and canned
roast beef gave at Camp Thomas.
Capt. Henry H. Ripley, Third caval-
airy. detailed the experiments with
beef at Tampa In line with testimony
of Col Weston. Capt Ripley accom-
panied his command TO cuba. Canned
roast beef was used on route and dur
ing the siege. No complaints were
heard, but II was almOst tssteless, he
said, quickly palled On the taste. and
the men refused to eat IT. though he
heard no formal complaints. Refrig-
Grated beef gave satisfaction.
An adjournment until Monday was
then taken.