Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-27
SECRETARY ALeea resrIrles.
Head Of the War Department Before War Ia.
vestisatins Commission.

Washington. Jan. 26.-Secrttary Alger
n response to an Invitation Of the war
| fore that body. today. The secretary was
sworn by General Wilson, after which
Governor Beaver. after asking permits
sion to use the title "'General Instead OF
Mr.. Secretary began the examination
| of the head of the war department.
Secretary Aleer, in beginning. stated
| partment constantly during and after
! the war with Spain. The chiefs of bu-
reaus in the department, he said, We're
generally appointed 10 sucn places be,
cause of seniority, but the President. f
he thought proper. could break this rule.
When asked in regard to expenditures
by the department of she war fund. the
secretary replied that the larger part had
been devoted to Strengthening coast de-
! fences. During the continuance of the
war he mad been kept constantly advised
OF all actions taken by the several bu-
/ reaus. If he had not been advised of any
| important fact. in regard to departmental
work. the head of one of the bureaus was
TO blame, If any report originating out
| side of the department came to him he
| investigated it at once.
! During the early days of the war some
cause of lack of funds but because 1t
was impossible to handle properly So
large a body of men on short notice.
| Witness did not recall having received
| during the war complaints in regard TO
! foods furnished to the army. There was
a shortage of food at Santiago. not be-
cause there We're no supplies. but because
they could not be landed from the ships.
would make harsh criticism of the food
! furnished the army under the circum-
stances. He had never had any cause
during the war for complaint of any
officer.
WAS the head of any bureau guilty of
| failure to discharge his duty during the
continuance of the war;" asked Gov.
| Beaver. mo. sir replied Secretary
Alger.
did any report come to you of any
irregularty. or of any fraudulent, prac-
,iess in the eGnirast sim for supplies
did you directly or indirectly have any
interest in the selection of any of the
camps occupied by any of the troops
"No. sir. | never had any interest in any
| camp. l don't know that any one con-
| nected with me had any such interest,"
Did you have any interest in any con-
| tract for materials supplied during the
war;" mot cent in any contract" re-
piled the secretary, emphatically.
chased?" Yes, sir
The secretary went on to state that he
the expenditure of government funds, d.
rectly or indirectly. No. contracts for
equipment were entered into prior to the
declaration of war.
Have you received any complaint from
the major general of the army while at
Porto Rico as ito the quality of refriger-
otVu iostSl DCcL
army?'
The secretary. replying. referred to his
annual report. quoting dispatch from
| be sent because they could get a large
supply there. General Miles had SAID
something about beef THAT had spoiled
there.
| Gov. Beaver asked whether actual prep
aration for war was not made before the
declaration of war was because 1t was
thought it could be averted. No reply.
| however, was expected if the question
was not deemed by the secretary a proper
one. The witness replied that there had
been hope that war would be averted
| The chiefs of the several bureaus of the
war department had never assembled 10
| hold council of war. They were all too
| busy. In regard to the inspector generals
office. the secretary did not consider that
| the bureau had been practically abolished
by the transfer of officers to other duty.
He believed that it retained it's efficiency
| He had never received any official COM
plant from the armies in the field in re-
gard to fresh or canned meat furnished
| the troops.
Have you any information that meat
was chemically treated?'
| Nothing but what has been brought
out by this commission Beef he said.
has been used as an army ration for
many years. and its use was not an ex-
pertinent in the Spanish war No com
| plants had been received by him from
| the camps in regard to beef.
When asked whether he was personally
| interested in contractors for furnishing
meat. the secretary said with positive
ness: 81 have not. ] never had directly
| or indirectly, interest in any property or
in ANYTHING supplied to this govern
ment''
! He had never received an official report
| that beef furnished the army had caused
sickness. He had received reports from
several sources that at CHI kamauga and
| Camp Thomas there had been lack of
medicines and supplies. The reports
were Investigated and supplies ordered at