Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-04-08
HARD ON THE BEEF.
Testimony in Yesterdays Invcstiga.
tiOn-War Notes.

Washington, April g.. The two prin-
Cipal witnesses before the beef inquiry
court yesterday were Professor Russell
III. Chitt"nden of Yale university and
Dr. Samuel a. Currie. Who WAS lieu
tenant colonel of the Second New Jersey
regiment, which was stationed at Jack
sonville during the war. Professor
Chittendcn is one Of the chemists select
ed by the government to unalyZe the
canned roast beef lie presented his
report, showing that the beef was gem
orally good. No chemicals had been
found by him in its preparation, and it
was generally wholesome. He, how
ever. expressed doubt as to whether
the heat of Il tropical climate would not
cause the fat in the cans to liquify, and
thus render the food displeasins to the
sight.
DR.. Currie testified that the refrig
Grated beef supplied at Jacksonville had
Oh some occasions made the men SEX
He had made chemical analysis of the
beef, which in one case showed the
presence of Salcylic acid, and in another
of boric acid. The view that acids had
been used was strengthened by the fac;
'it'e t'iC 'iiNot abl'Eii w w StoN val
upon coming into contact with the iron
rf the butchers knife. DR.. Currie said
he had discovered some years ago by
actual tests that Swift & Co. used sally
ellie acid to preserve their meats. Two
months ago he had made II similar test
of beef furnished by Armour L. Co., at
his own home in Englewood, N. j., and
found that it contained salyciic acid.
The beef thus examined looked paler on
the surface than other beef He
thought the beef could be treated both
by injection or immersion in the acid.
Major Lee read the reply of the court
to General Miles request for the sum
moning of 131 witnesses named by him
and General Miles reply asking that they
he placed in the records. The letter to
General Miles was written by Recorder
Davis. 1t was dated April 4, and read as
follows: Il beg to acknowledge the ra-
ceipt of your favor of the 3rd inst, en-
closing the final list of witnesses. am
directed to say that such of the persons
named as appear, from the statement
submitted. to be in possession of facts
not already covered by the testimony OF
witnesses. will be summoned to appear
with the least possible delay"
General Miles reply was as follows
"Refe-ring to the list of witnesses, 131 il
number, l would respectfully invite you
attention to my letter Of Feb. %, in which
stated that deemed the matter unde.
investigation of such vital import in re-
lation both to the health and to the honor
of the United States army that respect
fully request that company commanders
and the enlisted men of their commands
even to include. if necessary, every
soldier-who served in the field during
the war, be called upon to bear witness
before your court (either by raj testi-
mony or by answer to interrogatories)
as to the results of their own personal
experience with the beef ration issued to
them 1t is my belief that at least
25 900 men, and undoubtedly much
greater number, would confirm the tes-
timony that has already been given that
a portion of the food supplied the army
was unwholesome and unsuitable for
use. l therefore request that the small
number Of witnesses whose names have
just been submitted may be called to
give their testimony before your court;
and in regard to its being a final list, as
l stated in my letter yesterday, 50 con-
slider 1t, although such additional names
may be added as circumstances may de-
velope the necessity therefor