Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-27
TIE BLAME PLACED


Tor the spollisg Of the lGanitesa's Cargo
Of 1ssfriserated lsesf.
Washington, April 26.-The board
convened by special order to examine
into and report upon the responsible
ity CT the loss of 100000 pounds Of re-
frigerated beef sent to Porto Rico last
summer, has submitted its report and
findings. The beef was shipped on the
transport Manitoba frcm Swift & Co..
n Chicago and Kansas City. The
boards findings are as follows:
THAT the beef was good and fit for
issue upon its arrival at the port of
Ponce August 10th, 1898, was reported
to the proper military authorities, and
that this condition continued after the
release of the Manitoba from the reef
on August IA, 1898, although there is
reason to believe that the refrigeration
was not satisfactory during that inter-
val.
That notwithstanding the time and
labor involved in unloading troops and
animals from the Manitoba and in
cleaning the ship, up to and including
August is, 1898, due and proper effort
was not made to issue this beef to the
accessible troops between that date and
August 20, 1898. the date of the de-
parture of the Manitoba from Maya
guez.
THAT this lack of effort was in the
nature of an acquiescence in the ar
rangement already locally sanctioned
for the purchase of native beef, but lay
primarily in the lack of controlling au-
thority and a responsible head Of the
subsistence department in Ponce under
the difficulties attending a new mill
tary situation.
THAT both at Mayaguez, August 25
to August 81, and at Ponce. between the
date Of the return of the Manitoba, Au-
gust 81, to her departure for New York,
September 7, proper efforts was made
for the issue of this beef, and the meat
was, in the opinion of the board, still
fit for issue.
THAT the meat had not been subject
ed to any chemical process whatever
for its preservation
THAT the loss of this beef was due
to several causes; possibly deteriora-
ton, and refrigerating plant was inter-
rupted or disturbed August 10 to Au-
gust Il; exposure to high temperature
from the time of loading on the trans
port to the date of issue at Mayaguez
and after; improper handling and
faulty protection after issue; deficient
transport to troops; prejudice against
its appearance under unfamiliar condi-
tons, and delay. A month elapsed
since the beef was dressed before it
reached Mayaguez, when for the first
time issues were made, each day adj
ding to the difficulties. Finally the dis
tribution to the troops was such that
under the circumstances great loss was
incurred in the absence of any refriger-
ator at ports of entry.
THAT the United States is responsible
for the loss. The board is aware of
an average wastage in the issue of re-
frigerated beef-a loss properly charge
able to the contractor-but the board
is unwilling to fix an arbitrary figure
for such shipment as that of the Man
itoba handled under and in the alb
sence of reliable data.
THAT Swift & Co. be reimbursed for
the beef
THE board constructs the time limit
in the contract with Swift & Co. to
mean that the beef should remain sound
for "a hours after delivery to the is
suing commissary if properly protect
ed; the 72-hour clause referring to in
termediate storage in land refrigera-
tors"