Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-03-26
NEW YORK GOVERNOR BEFORE
BEEF INQUIRY BOARD.
SAYS "RoAsT" BEEF WAS BAD
UNPALATABLE AT BEST, AND .UN-
.z..5 EATABLE AT WORST.
Refrigerator Beef in Cuba Generally
Found to BE Good, and There
Was No Suspicion That Ii
Had Been Chemically
Treated.

NEW YORK, March 25-The army court
OF inquiry investigating the charges made
by General Miles that the beef furnished
the soldiers in the Cuban and Porto Rican
campaigns was unfit for use, convened in
this city to-day. Governor Roosevelt was
the first witness.
Upon his arrival Colonel Roosevelt shook
hands with several members of the court,
and then took the stand. The governor
described the organization Of the rough
riders at San Antonio. Tex. and told Of the
Issuance of rations.
When was. the first complaint you
heard Of the rations?" asked Colonel
Davis.
May I answer that in my own way?"
asked the governor.
Certainly" s---.-.-
"Well. it was aboard ship at Tampa.
saw q mani think his name was Ash.
know he came from Kentucky-throwing
away can of so-called roast beef.
asked what was the matter and he said he
could not eat 1t. I-told him not to be
baby. and that he did not volunteer for
good time and ought to be able to take
what came. I thought NO more Of the
matter until heard that complaints were
being made on all sides. Then made in
Quiries and was told that roast beef was
part Of the regular ration and that only
\ the volunteers were complaining.
II: spoke to Colonel Wood about it, and
he said 1t was the regular ration. l tried
a mouthful or two myself. but I could not
eat it,
Governor Roosevelt spoke Of the issue Of
rations in Cuba and said that. although he
did not like the beef. and his men would
Eot. eat 1t. he never. heard anyone say it
was an unfit ration
What did the meat look like?" asked
Colonel Davis.
when the cans were opened. there was
a covering of slime. 1t was unattractive.
The meat was stringy and 1t did not agree
with the men who ate It. ''s"'
"Could you not eat It. when served with
onions and potatoes?"
II think at that time I could have eaten
my hat II l could have had onions and po-
tatoes. The men would have eaten any
thing with fresh vegetables. They stewed
ot the men seemed to eat the meat without
dimcufty or distress. but 1t was not suit
able for the sick or half sick men,
Governor Roosevelt told at length Of his
attempts to get supplies in Cuba. He re-
peated the statements he made to the army
investigating commission as to his attempts
to organize TRANSPORTATION train to bring
SUPPLIES to his men from Siboney.
When did you begin receiving refriger-
ated beef? asked Colonel Davis.
About July q. when ashore about a
month";
Were the supplies regular?':
Sometimes. We received them about
WI What was their condition when you re-
The outside was sometimes on % bad. Ia' but se0dt it
seemed awfully good to US.
What was the proportion that was
II can't exactly say; but doubt If there
were more than two or three issues when
the major portion was bad"
Had you reason to believe the refrig-
fore you received it?"
Il never thought about It until returned
home. The meat seemed good to us. We
give the men diarrhoea."
Did you hear any complain"
Wei. 1 heard that some Of the officers
wrong with the meat. but have known
meat: If kept for few days on n hunting
in very good health and it took less to up
set US than it would have taken at another
time"
ration?" asked Colonel Davis.
ITO certain extent, suppose, yes.
When We left Cuba less than 20 per cent of
the brigade was fit for active service"
age home as a travel ration?"
1.-The canned roast beef.
'To what extent was 1t acceptable.
at was utterly and hopelessly unaccept-
able"
WAS any of It eaten?"
"Some of 1t was, but it could not be eaten
by the half sick, and the well men did not
like II"
Governor Roosevelt said he had submitted
reports regarding the rations through the
regular army channels In July and again
on September 10. These reports were omit
ted from the published records of the war
department, but were to be printed. so he
said. in the next report. Major Lee applied
to the court to order a copy Of Governor
Roosevelt's report to be made part Of the
minutes Of the proceedings
General Wade ruled in compliance with
the motion and Governor Roosevelt said