The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-03-20

Leavenworth, Kan, March 19.vThe
army beef court of inquiry concluded
the taking of testimony at Fort
Leavenworth at noon today and at
Ais departed for Chicago, where the
sessions will be resumed Monday
morning.
The sole witness examined today Gas
Sergeant Edward Mason, troop A,
First United States cavalry, located at
Fort Robinson. Neb., who served as
regimental commissary sergeant at
Lakeland Fla, and during the Cuban
campaign.
Sereeant Mason's testimony was
probably the most direct that has been
adduceG since the court left Chicago,
the witness declaring that meat re-
ceived at Lakeland for use in his regl-
ment was undoubtedly chemically
treated" An agent of Armour & Co..
he further testified, told me at the
time that this meat had been treated
with what was called preSerValIne.
Witness had refused to accept the
meat.
Sergeant Mason was interrogated in
dividually by each member OF the
court, and could not be shaken IN MS
testimony.
The court met at 10 O'Clock this morn
ing in The courtmartial room at the
fort. Sergeant Mason. whose lallure
TO reach the fort yesterday made IL
necessary fer the court TO take sun
day testimony, was first questioned py
Recorder Davis. He told of the meat
furnished on the voyage from 1aii-ia
to Cuba No complaints were maze
I En4t he
was tasteless and unsatisfactory gen
orally. and had TO be thrown overboard.
In Cllba. the men of his regiment would
not eat the canned roast beef and as
a rule it was thrown away. The re-
frieerated beef issued after the sur
render was good. but as rule IL spoil
ed before it could be used.
MEAT CHEMICALLY TREATED.
The witness was then taken in hand
by Major Lee. He said he was de-
tailed commissary sergeant at Lake
land abont April 90, and served as such
through to the close Of the Cuban cam
paign. -
acting commissary sergeant Tor the
regiment draw any refrigerated beef at
Tampa or Lakeland?" asked Major
\ did. sir"
What occurred?
THE meat we received was in ap-
pearance fine, but it was undoubtedly
chemically treated. One morning l
went down to the refrigerator car 10
draw meat, and / objected to the ap-
nearance of it. An agent of Armour d.
Co was there. I do not know What
his name was My recollection is that
he told me at the time that this meat
had been treated with what was called
spreservaline. It was as if 1t had
been painted over witfSsomethlng hke
naratfine wax. There was nSht
coating on the outside of the meat
obiected to the color of the meat, and
refused to accept it. Our commlssary
officeT came down and he refused to
accept it. .op
's1The 2Sth or 29th of May.
WHO was the officer that came
DOWN" .n
About how much was there OF lhis
meat at that time?"
"Probably 5000 pounds that was IN
the car
Did YOU notice it generally"
Il examined the meat very carefully:
AS commissary sergeant had handed
meat before. The meat was undoupt-
edly spoiled"
ALL RIGHT INSIDE.
"yVere any reports made by Armour $
agent at the time as to the harH1ulness
or lack of harmfulness of the prepara-
ton: was il discussed
..Ndv recollection is that the prepara-
.ion used did not hurt the meat: thaI
g v-as safe. lie advised rs 10 cut OIL
the outside, and salo tne -heat ~ ~
he an right in the interior next to the
DoT9 Ibid he state where this had been
done?"
Where had the meat come from be-
fore coming to Lakeland!
I do not know. 1t came in carloads;
nrobably from Chicago or kansas
City" -. rro,,,
Might it moi have come from 1dil-
"Yes, SIR
You know, as d matter Of fact, that
there was a refrigerator establishment
there where meats We're sent to the
various commands?"
Il know that. think our meat came
from Chicago 1t was not billed IN
any way TO the commissarZ.
1T was not billed in any way to the
commissary; il came entirely 70 the
IT came to the agent entirely"
.sTo whom would he report in regard
70 the meat? Would he report to the
commissary?"
He would probably notify the COM
nissary officer We would go down In
wagons and get the meat every morn
AGENTS ADMISSION.
Rv General Gillespie: How did the
agent happen TO tell you about the ap-
pearance of the meat?"
THE meat was supplied IN the morn
ing and it smelled bad, and had a bad
appearance. The agent, just simply
speaking OF it, said: That is preser-
yaline That is the chemical we use to
protect the meat to preserve it, As
TO what preservaline was, 1 do not
".vas this agent at Lakeland or Tam
'sae came up from Tampa"
do you wish the court to under
Il. ,,,1. <.T+ l. ctTra