The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-30
IT CRITICISES GEN. Mills
AND CENSURES OTHER OFFI-
GERS FOR IMpROlhlnTlES.
CENTRAL EAeaN Gt1S A DOUBLE SHARE
Canned Beef an Untried Ration that Should
Not Have Been Bought in Such Quantities.
Dccoring Of Beef Unsupported
by Testimony.

Washington, April 29.-Thc Wade
court of inquiry today concluded its
work i'm connection with the alegl-
tions of General Miles concerning the
beef supplied to the army during the
war with Spain. Col. Davis, the re-
corder of the court, carried the Off
cial copy of the findings 10 the War
Department, and in the absence of
Secretary AIger, delivered 1T to .Nc'-
ing Secretary Meikleiohn. Mr.. Meikle-
John Immediately sealed the docu
ment in an envelope and forwarded
it to the White House. whence it was
dispatched. The report is oi about
10000 words and goes fully into The
questions which have been. raised III
connection with the army beef The
text has not been made public and
will not be until after the President
shall have read ii.
The verdict, however, is known to
be that the allegations which General
Miles made before the war inveStigat-
ing commission are not sustained with
reference to the refrigerated beef, al
though his contention that the can
ned roast beef-was not suitable con-
tinuous ration is admitted. There is
direct criticism of General Miles for
failing To promptly bring the atten-
ton of the War Department 10 re-,
ports made to him concerning bad
beef. land several individuals are
censured for failing to observe the
proprieties of their positions as com
manding officers in this and other
respects.
The court takes the position that
the Testimony is conclusive that both
the refrigerated beef and the canned
beef were in good condition when de-
livered to the Government and CON
tinued so till issued to the troops ex-
cept in especial instances, when the
deterioration was due TO accidental
conditions in transportation or to the
influences of the tropical climate. The
report admits the liability of rcfrig-
Grated beef to faint quickly after re-
moval from ice chests. The court
finds the charges of "embalming" the
fresh beef to have been unsubStan-
tiated by the testimony and says no
chemicals were used to preserve it.
1t also finds that it would have been
impracticalle to secure beef on the
iiooi foi tit 1uDdH iif
finding is likewise in opposition to
the assertion on the part Of General
Miles that the use OF beef was m en-
pertinent.
Much attention is given 10 the
charges concerning the canned roast
beef. and it is stated that the tcs-
timony proved it to have beca whole
some and nutritious where dSCd in
moderation and Under favorable cir
cllmstances. The fact is set forth that
the canned roast beef had not been
used to any appreciable extent be-
iore the beginning of this war, and
II IS therefore regarded as practi
caily untried ration. In view of this
tact the Commissary General is round
~ criticized for the purchase Of the
meat in such extensive quantities.
The court finds that the beef was
not doctored: that there was no more
he@iect than was incident 10 the hur-
rled preparation for, war: that tn" IN
spectIon while generally according
10 regulations, was not always up to
requirements, and that the sickness
oI the troops was not to any great de-
gree occasioned by the use of either
me canned or refrigerated beef
bnt me court does not think further
proceedings necessary.