Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1899-01-05
THE BEEF SUPPLIES.
A Board to Investigate the Charges
Made by Gen, Miles.
CHEF SURGEON DAYS. REPORT.
He Stated That Secret Chemicals Were APP
parently Used TO Preserve the Beef,
Owing to Deficient Cold storage, and
Recommended AN Investigation.

Washington, Dec. 3l.-As result Of
the issue between Gen. Miles and Gen.
Eagan, concerning the quality of the
beef supplied the army, and on the
written request of Gen. Eagan the
war department last night issued n
special order for the assembling of a
board of officers in Washington on
next Tuesday at ten n. m, to inquire
into the general subject Of the quality
of the beef supplies, and particularly
MS to the responsibility for the loss Of
100000 pounds of refrigerated beef
sent to Porto Rico when the expedi-
ton under Gen. Miles was there The
100000 pounds of beef referred to was
shipped from Newport News to Porto
Rico about the time the word came
from Gen. Miles that he had supplied
himself with fresh beef, taken on the
island. The refrigerated beef made
the trip to Porto Rico and back, but
by the time it reached Montauk point
1T is understood to have spoiled, owing
ITO the delay and consequent lack of
refrigerating material.
The war investigation commission
held brief executive session yester-
day and at noon adjourned until Tues
day, January 8. There was no impor-
tant action, and the matter of recalling
'Commssary General Eagan, Maj. Gen.
;Shafter or Maj Gen. Miles, as a result
,of the agitation over the beef issues to
tfhn " n fha inc ,YnHo-
itermined. A decision probably will
be reached next Tuesday, when it is
likely there will be full attendance
of the commission, absence over the
holidays of majority of the members
resulting in making the past weeks
proceedings of an unimportant char
acter. The commission yesterday made
public report bearing on the beef
controversy. 1t is from Maj. w. II.
DAILY, chief surgeon at the army head
quarters at Tampa, prior to the sailing
of the Shafter expedition, and is as
follows:
To the Assistant Adjutant General, Wash
ington: Sir: have the honor to report in the
interests of the service that in the several in
spections l made In the various camps and
troop ships at Tampa Jacksonville, ChicSa-
manga and Porto Rico that found the fresh
beef to be apparently preserved with secret
chemicals, which destroys its natural flavor,
and which l also believe to be detrimental to
the health Of the troops
While on duty at the headquarters of the
army ct Tampa, at the time of the embarka-
ton Of bthe "Shafer expedition" Col Wes-
ton the efficient chief commander showed me
quarter of beef that had already, as q test,
been 90 hours in the sun without being percep-
ftibly tainted so far Us the sense of smell could
detect 1t is impossible to keep fresh beef so
tong untainted In the sun In that climate
without the use of deleterious preserves, such
as boric acid or nitrate Of potash injected into
1T in quantities likely to be hurtful to the
health Of the consumer At Ponce much Of
the beef arriving on the transports from the
United States was also of the same character,
being apparently preserved by injected chemi-
sails TO aid deficient cold storage, Where eff
Bient cold storage is impossible, transporting
beef alive is the method that should receive
the fullest consideration by the government MS
being the safest for the health Of the consumer.
When detailed to take charge of the Panama
Tor conveying convaescents to the United
States, obtained 1000 pounds of fresh beef
from the commissnry at Ponce 1t looked well,
but had an odor similar to that of dead human
and tasted. when first cooked, like decomposed
bodies, which, after standing day for further
Inspection, 1t became so bitter, nauseous and
nnpalatable as to be quite impossible for use 1
was therefore obliged, owing to the condition
and the complaints Of the sick about 1t and the
1isgustingly sckening odor it emitted when
sOeing cooked and mawkish, fat taste when
served and the safety Of the patieuts-255
sonvalescent soldiers on board-to organize
n board Of survey, condemn and throw
500 pounds, all we had overheard. Conse-
;auently. the convalescents were entirely with
put much needed fresh beef, making the duty
Of bringing the men to the United States in an
Improved condition very difficult matter
Believing the commissary department has
oeen imposed upon by the misdirected COM
mercial spirit Of persons furnishing fresh beef,
II respectfully recommend that the matter be
investigated by experts making cumulative
ndqualitative chemical analysis of the several
representatives. suspected to be used by getting
NIPPLES Of beef furnished for export to Cuba
and Porto Rico. Very respectfully,
w, II. DAILY,
Major and Chief Surgeon, U. S V.