New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-15
TIE BEEF INVESTIGATION.
so,,r IMPORTANT TESTIMONY GIVEN
IN CHICAGO.
c.NNEp ROAST BEEF BOUGHT ON DI
pDrr ORDERS FROM EAGAN-HEAD
OF SWIFT PACKING COMPANY
TELLS OF hts CONTRACTS


TELLS OF FITS CONTRACTS.
-...o,o March iA-Colonel o. Nj. Smith. pur-
10 agent Of the Government at Chicago since
~ ,.stiaed to-day before the Court Of Inquiry
Nv, ~ s.ores OF canned roast beef bought by
tn"' =, ~. war were all on the direct order OF
n.."u,,ssa-v-Cieneral Egan. He also said that
" ,,,rcbases OF canned beef Were made with
~ ,ts knowledge by the Commissary General
.,.bar important witness was Gustavus r
ertft- head Of the packing-house OF swirl CO.
49, nrogress was made by the court to-day. but
Wv - the list OF witnesses to be examined in
Crtcago Il not yet In sight
Carsain Homer F. AspinwaN assistant quarter
a,,ar and acting commssary Of volunteers IN
..-,naud Of the transport Manitoba testified that
So took on board Newport News LOO quarters
- -af~,gerated beef The Manitoba left Newport
Taws OF August and arrived of Ponce, Porto
- IN August 10 She ran aground three miles
-. and remained there three days and hall
- o,r,y,rg al Ponce. witness reported TO General
c0roore telling him he had large consignment OF
f-iee-ated beef The chief engineer mad ex-
&c some fear about the safety Of the meat
~, the witness reported General Gilmore looked
" .-l.-e and said: You had better throw 1t
49,. we have no use for It; we can get all
~. heef We want here" said that II was the
nss. Of beef and did not care 10 take any such
course a. mat unless ordered 20. He replied IF
recessary ! will give you an order TO that erect
..yvas any beef landed there?
moi ~ that time"
ar -,,sA Inquiries Of different commanders, said
-. witness about the meat, while l remained
,Nere and all that talked with. with one eN-
sa,.on were well pleased with the beef
Eo,,o,r AspinwaN said that when the Manitoba
.suss for Network on September : the beef was
80 condition None OF It was issued 70 the
- IN the ship a. there were no facilities for
.,t.,r The refrigerating apparatus was IN the
best Of condition.
md any change take place IN the beer
90, the return trip. when we were Wlthh ABOUT
.ro davs # New-Y ork. the chief steward reported
:. me that the beef was beginning 70 spoil mat
s,.,o, continued 10 increase until our arrival IN
vsvr-york when he reported 10 me that the oeel
-. so hed that he did moi think It advisable 20
attempt 20 II any more.
ayyhat was done with the Manitoba oeei
81 renor1ed IT'S condition 70 the depot con'fihS-
..-- colonel Woodruff and Board Of survey
IS subsequently, appointed There was some ar
r,n,ert about the ownership Of the meat nut inc
60 ,-oceaded IN the regular way and made Its
-. 7 anolied 10 the chairman for copy or
sr ,-oceed,nes and he told me the proceedings
"a hem stopped. But I obtained copy ana
n,- e-,-, :, that the beef had been condemned
"a a-5srsd a. disposed of In about ten days a
vrN,a- came alongside the ship and took the oeet
~r,,s WI, have any occasion to suspect that the
49,. hst been treated with a preservative%'
no sir
ma snvthing OF that kind como TO your knowi-
edge In conversation
NO sir
y cross-sxaro3nation Major Lee drew out that
w., General Gilmore looked up smiling" at
Dc he said Throw It overheard, that will
v,,,An Won up SO much, and possibly enable you
n TO- Of the reef" The witness said that ne dld
-. consider the remark Of General Gilmore wish
70 destroy the property
SWIFT & co.'s CONTRACT
~. ,sooraer then called Gustavus r. Swift,
,,As,. ~ Swift & Co. He testified TO two oon-
--ac,, between his company and the GovernIne nt
70 SUNNY refrigerated beef 70 the troops in Cuha
and Porto Rico.
by whom were these contracts made on inc
nNrt or fbe United States2" asked Colonel DAVIS
.Rv csnar.1 Faean. advertisements were Issued
md proposals received IN the usual form. We
agreed 10 be responsible for the beef keeping
tventv-four hours from issuing. and If in reirlg-
Grating house seventy-two hours from ne steamer
issue supposed there would be reasonable protec-
ton IS for any other commodity. When We deal
IN beef We deal in persha0le article II certain
" should be protected from the tropical sun
In the preparation of your refrigerated beef
what agent 40 You rely upon as preservatveT
"Rofrigerated air. nothing else
"Hav4 Won used AZ any time in connection with
the preserve non ~ refrigerated beef any chemical
preservauve OF any kind"
40 sir"
Cross-4xamined nv Maior Lee the witness said;
90 asked nv brother IN Boston f. c. Swift to 20
10 Washington and agree with General Eagan on
the terms OF the contract. II was finally agreed
upon between nv brother and General Easan
never met General Easan previous TO the time the
contract vas signed
81 would 1ko 20 have YOU repeat your understand
Ing o. the contract with reference 70 the time that
bee VS. 70 keep AFTER issuance 20 the commissary'
said MAJOR Lee.
NV UNDERSTANDING is that the beef should be use
Hl for Pho Army. which does not relieve them from
reas1na ale care should say, 10 an extent Of TWEEN
ty-f.sr hours II necessary" answered Mr.. Swift.
~ aeI.-re there is clause in that contract that
says something about seventy-two hours from the
time -ho beef IS issued from the refrigerator on
board the ship and tweuty-fOur hours from the
time JIG would De issued from the refrigerator plant
or shoreT"
Eyes SIR"
"Tae, y there was 10 refreerating plant on shore
would tae beef De expected 10 keep seVenty-'w'
hours after leaving the ship?
Not az All. That provision means that refrigera
tors are 20 De built 10 take care Of the beef l. my
menorv Us right IL also provides that the con
tractor responsibility shall cease after seventy-t"
hours. that il shall not be liable 20 condemnation
after having been se1enty-two hours away from th'
snip"
~ YOU buff q refrigerator on shore and shiI
landed there and This beef was taken OUT OF M
shin and placed in the refrigerator on shore thei
your responsibility would end in regard 20 the Keep
ing qualities Of that beef seventy-two hours ane
lef' tae ship"
II ". cook the technical definition Of the con
tract 7 think yes Swift co. have never wlshe'
10 Be technical in regard 10 contracts with the GOV
eminent"
TINE THE BEEF WAS TO BE KEPT
a. the end Of seventy-two hours. after you nav
taken beef Of the refrigerator ship and PUT IL u
he refrigerator shore. II there should De a qua"
ty o. beef JEFF 81 that refrigerator on shore unde
the contract yonr responsibility ceases?
Technically ] think So"
II ! remember correctly. General Eagan testlhe'
thst The beef was 10 keep under normal conditions
remaining sweet and proper food for seveniy-t"