The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-27
Secretary Alger Before the lnvestl-
cation Commissioners.
Heard No Complaints During HostiIitlss Of
Food Furnished the Army.
Was Neither Directly Nor Indi-
rectly Interested in Any Con-
tracts for Materials Supplied
the Government OF in the Selec-
ton of Camps for the Troops.

WASHINGTON Jan. 26. - Secretary
Alger, in response to an invitation OF
the War Investigation Commission, ap-
peared before that body to-day. The
Secretary was sworn by General Will
son, after which Governor Beaver, after
asking permission to quiz the witness
as General instead of Mr.. Secre-
tary,' began the examination OF the
head of the War Department
Secretary Alger, in beginning, stated
that he had been on duty at the war
Department constantly during and at
ter the war with Spain The chiefs OF
bureaus in the department, he said,
were generally appointed to such places
because of seniority, but the President,
if he thought proper, could break this
rule.
When asked in regard to the expendi-
lures by the department of the war
fund, the Secretary replied that the
larger part had been devoted to
strengthening coast defenses. In an
ticipation of such an inquiry, he had
brought with him his memorandum
prepared by heads of bureaus giving
details of the expenditure of this fund.
During the continuance of the war
he had been kept constantly advised OF
all actions taken by the several bu-
reaus- The chiefs of bureaus often
reported to him several times day.
If he had not been advised of any i'm
portant fact in regard to the depart
ment, the head of one of the bureaus
was to blame If any report origin
ating outside of the department came
to him he investigated it at once. Dur
ing the early days of the war, with
large body to provide for, some defects
We're apparent. 1t was not because of
a lack of funds, but because it was i'm
possible to handle properly SO large a
body of men on such short notice.
Witness did not recall having re-
ceived during the war complaints in
regard to the food furnished the army.
There was a shortness of food at
Santiago, not because there were no
supplies, but because they could not be
unloaded from the ships. No old sol
der he believed, would make harsh
criticism of the food furnished the
army under the circumstances. He had
never had any cause during the war
for complaint of any officer.
WAS the head of any bureau guilty
of failure to discharge his duty during
the continuance of the WARP" asked
Governor Beaver.
mo, SIR replied Secretary Alger.
did any one complain to you of
any irregularities or of any fraudulent
practices in the contracting for sup
plies furnished to any Department."
NO, sir
Did you directly or indirectly have
any interest in the selection of any
camps occupied by the troops?"
mo, sir. I do not know that any
one connected had any such interest"
Did you have any interest in any
contract for materials supplied during
the war;"
Not a cent in any contract" replied
the Secretary emphatically.
Does that apply to transports pur-
chased?"
Yes. sir
The Secretary went on to state that
he had never had any personal interest
in the expenditure of the Government
funds directly or indirectly. NO con-
tracts for equipment We're entered into
prior to the declaration of war.
Have you received any complaint
from the Major General of the army
while at Porto Rico as to the quality
of the refrigerated and canned roast
beef furnished the army?"
The Secretary. replying, referred to
his annual report, quoting a dispatch
from General Miles asking that no
more beef be sent, because they could
get a large supply there. General
Miles had said something about beef
that had spoiled there.
Governor Beaver asked whether
actual preparation for war was not
made before the declaration of war,
because it was thought it would be
averted. No reply, however. was ex-
pected II the question was not deemed
by the Secretary proper one.
The witness replied that there had
been hopes that war would be averted.
The chiefs of. the several bureaus of
the department had never assembled
TO hold a council of war.
They were all too busy In regard
TO the Inspector Generals office, the
Secretary did not consider that the bu-
reau had been practically abolished by
the transfer of officers to the outside.
He believed that it retained its eff
cheney.
Secretary Alger next told Of the in
spection of the camps, especially the
tour of inspection by General Miles.
He (Alger) had never received any off,
cial complaint from the armies in the
field in regard to fresh or canned meats
supplied the troops.
Have you any information that meat
was chemically treated?"
Nothing but what had been brought
out by this commission"
Beef, he went on, has been used as
an army ration for many years, and
its use was not an experiment in the
Spanish war No complaints had been
received by him from the camps In
regard to beef.
when asked whether he was person
ally interested in contracts for furnish
ing meat. the Secretary said with posi-
tiveness. II have not, I never had,
directly or indirectly, interest in any
property or anything supplied to this
Government"
He had never received an official re-
port that beef furnished the army had
caused sickness. He had received re-
ports from several : sources that at
Chickamauga and Camp Thomas there
had been a lack of medicine and sup
plies. These were investigated, and
supplies ordered at once. He had never