The National tribune., 1899-05-11
THE BEEF REPORT.

Court have been made public by the
order of the President, and are a dis
appointment, more or less acute, to a
large number of people. First, in order
of rank is to the Major-General Com
manding the Army of the United States.
With regard to Gen. Miles it says:
"The Court also finds that the Major
General Commanding the Army had no sut-
licient Justification for alleging that the re-
fricerated beef was embalmed or was unfit
| for issue to troops 1t also finds that lie COM
mitted an error in that, having belief or
knowledge as claimed. that the food was un-
| fit. that it caused sickness and distress, that
some of it was supplied under the pretense
ufexrerimeDt, that other beef WAS embalmed,
he did not Immediately report such knowl-
edge or belief TO the Secretary of War, TO the
end that proper remedy might be promptly
applied"
The Court comments strongly upon
Gen. Miles's failure, after forming his
belief or suspicion that there was some
thing wrong with the meat, to take
steps to verify his belief, obtain samples
for chemical investigation, and to do
other things which such a belief imposed
upon a commanding officer.
Col. Maus, Inspector General on Gen.
Miles's staff, is blamed for having failed
to promptly call attention to the report
of Maj. DAILY, at Chickamauga, that
he believed that the beef was chemi-
cally treated.
Commissary-G General Eagan is severe
" scored. First, he is condemned for
having bought enormous quantities of
canned roast beef, an article of which
little was known by the Regulars, and
nothing at all by the Volunteers, and
the Use of which, as part of the field
ration, had never been sanctioned by
the President and Secretary of War.
The canned roast beef was not suitable
as travel ration, where fresh vege-
tables and condiments could not be
issued with it. 1t was, however, good
for issue two days out Of 10 in camp,
where these accompaniments could be
had, but not for issue two successive
days. As a matter of fact, it was made
about one-half of the rations issued,
and at times when the troops had no
means of cooking it, and nothing to go
with it but hard bread.
There we're G,S47,174 pounds of can
ned roast beef purchased. The court
makes no other imputation on Gen.
Eagan than Colossal error, for which
there is no palliation." He was actu-
ated by an earnest desire to procure the
best possible ration for the troops"
The article was precisely the same as
that furnished the Navy, with which no
fault was found.
The packers escape from all blame.
The meat they furnished was the same
prepared and sold in their ordinary
run of business. This finding is made
in accordance with the Presidents
special direction, {" if the packers of
the country are guilty, it must be
known" Wherever packages of meat
were found unsatisfactory they we're re-
placed by the packers.
Canned corned beef and bacon were
better for issue on the transports, where
fresh vegetables could not be had. The
use of refrigerated beef OH shore was
preferable TO any other. 1t was i'm
practicable to land beef on the hoof.
The embalmed beef is discussed at
length. Gen. Miles submitted little
testimony to support his allegations that
beef had been treated with chemicals,
and the experts employed by the Court
were unable to find in any meat any
traces of boric, salicylic or other acids,
and there was no evidence that such had
been used.
The Court found it impossible to
conclude that either the canned fresh
beef or refrigerated beef appeared to
any appreciable extent as causes Of in
testinal disease"
The report concludes:
at has been developed in the course of
the inquiry, as recited in this report, that in
some instances certain individuals failed to
perform the full measure of duty or to OBJ
serve the proprieties which dignity high
military command; but this Court is of the
opinion that the mere statement in the Off
ciol raport nf the fncfs dpyelonad mentS tho