Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-21

of the canned roast and canned corned beef
were filed on the transport After landing
| he heard TO more complaints and knew
little of the beef question. His brigade in
Guided the 9Th and 10th Infantry Regiments
and the list New York
Capt. Duncan's Experience.
Capt. ]. NJ. Duncan of the 21st Infantry
was sworn after Gen. Hawkins. His regi-
ment reached Tampa April % and departed
for Cuba June ~. The canned roast beef
was issued as a travel ration al Tampa for
the sea trip. and at Siboney as a part of
the regular ration.
July 20 refrigerated beef was issued in
stead, but the canned roast beef was again
issued as a travel ration for the voyage
to Montauk. The canned beef did not give
general satisfaction. His men complained
frequently. 1t appeared coarse, unSeaSoned,
tasted nat. was in strips and the coating
OF grease, or whatever it was, was in glob-
ules- The men did not like to use 1t, be-
cause of its repugnant appearance. APP
parently 1t was preserved well. At first it
was eaten from the can, but later stewed
with vegetables. In this latter form 1t was
more satisfactory. On the return trip he
heard no open complaints.
Captain Duncan explained that his report
was drawn from him by the order of the
adJutant general. He knew nothing against
the refrigerated beef and said it seemed
not to be different from the beef served
IN TINS country. Altogether it was very
satisfactory. He never suspected it was
treated with chemicals.
Adjournment for half an hour was or
dered at 1 o'clock.
Could Not Eat the Beef
Capt. William n. Hughes of the 18th In
fantry was the first officer called after the
recess. He was with his command at
Tampa and Santiago. He was stricken
with yellow fever on July 10 and left his
regiment.
canned roast beef was used after the
landing, and at once he began to receive
complaints from the men. He tried per-
sohaiiy to use it. hut he found it unpal-
atable, Unsatisfactory, and he could not
eat it, The men complained that it was
Strlngy and repulsive. Before going to
cuba he had never seen canned roast beef
He knew nothing about the prepara-
ton of it. He said that October IS he
had reported, in response to the adutant
generals order. at the call of his regimen
tai commander, otherwise he would not
have done it,
Capt. Ennis Heard Many Complaints.
Capt VIM. Ennis of the 4th Artillery, who
was with the Shafter expedition succeeded
to the witness chair. He remained at Sam
tago until August II. The canned roast
beef was used, he said, the transport
and more or less throughout the period his
regiment remained in Cuba. His men had
complained of 1t and he had been Aauseat
ed often after eating it in the form of
stew After his return TO this country he
made Inquiries that developed more COM
plants. but none was notable enough to
cause him to take official action.
After the surrender refrigerated beef was
issued and ii was satisfactory. Everybody
liked it, and he never heard of the use of
chemicals in it. Since he has reflected,
however. he is surprised that it could keep
twenty-four hours after being issued.
"A great many OF the men would eat the
canned roast beef and then turn around
quickly and vomt." said the witness.
Finally they refused to eat it at all"
Asked as to his opinion of the cause of
illness among the troops the witness said
much of it was due to this beef. No other
food caused vomiting after meals