The times., 1899-04-26
ALGER GIVES OUT THE
DARLINGTON REPORT
A Sudden Change of Mind in
the War Office.
Chicago Beef Packers Buy Chemi
Gals in Large Quantities.
Substantial support of the Charges
Made by General MiIes-Damag-
ing Testimony Set Forth.

The Secretary of War, smarting under
the criticism called forth by his positive
refusal on Monday to make public the con-
tents of Colonel Garlington's report. yes
terday underwent a radical change OF mind
and gave out the document for publication
The report shows that manufacturing
chemists sell large quantities. OF chemicals
10 the meat packers; that the representa-
tives OF the packers refused 10 be examined
as to the methods employed by them in
preparing their products; that certain in
formation was withheld by the Commits
sary Department, and that so per cent of
officers and men denounced the canned
roast beef as unfit for human food.
The report cites that Chicago chemist
found boric and salicylic acids in dressed
beef, and that it is currently understood
about the Chicago stockyards that Swift &
Co. use some secret preparation on their
meat.
The Darlington report was presented to
Inspector General Breckenridge on April
90 was referred TO General Miles on the
same day, and on April 2l was transmitted
to the Secretary of War. with the recon-
mendaiion that it be forwarded to the Beef
Court of Enquiry. Ii was sent TO the Beef
Court, which refused 10 admit it IN eyi-
dence.
Several pages of the report are devoted
10 the subject of the chemical preservation
of meats Colonel Darlington says:
THAT preseryatives or chemicals are
used in food for the purpose OF arrestin5
or delaying decay, there is no doubt
Among those preseTvatives used are boraS,
boracic acid. salicylic acid. fuoride OF am
monium, the bisulphides, fornaldehyde.
freeze-em, preseryallne, ssccharine, ana
others"
Colonel Darlington sets forth that ". a.
Billings, who conducts a sausage shop in
Chicago stated that he had been in the
butcher business since he was nine years
old and for several years was employed
by Nelson Morris d. Co. Billings alleged
that all the meat packers used preserva-
tiyes and that it is well known about the
Chicago stockyards that Swift q Co. use
some preparation on their meat which
makes il look whittier and cleaner than the
meats put up By other packers.
Colonel Darlington says that former
president of the medical staff of the C1i-
cago Health Department reported that he
had made an analysis Of meat purchased in
the local market for committee OF gem
tlemen. and had found in ii horace ac.d
and saiicylic acid. He made this discov-
cry before he heard of the Daly analysis.
He declared that the representatives, OF
Armour & Co, Swift & Co., Libbey. Me
Neill & Libbey. and Nelson Morris & Co.
refused TO permit him to examins them
on the subject of the meat furnished 10
the Government by those firms. or as TO
the processes employed by them.
He also sought to obtain certain infor-
nation from the Coahmissary Department
and his request was not heeded.
The report contains the statement that
ninety per cent. Of the officers and enli5t-
ved men consider the canned roast besf
unfit for use.
Colonel Darlington reported that the
refrigerated beef ISSUED in Cuba and Porto
Rico usually reached the camps in state
Of putrefaction. The tainted parts had to
be trimmed on, causing loss to the co.
der OF about one-third of the meat issued
10 him, thus shortening the ration allowed
him By law The beer was uninvitiDg in
appearance, had bad color, asd pecu la
oder. Many complaints were made that
this meat caused severe intestinal troubles
among the troops
Colonel Darlington interviewed the man
ayers of the Pacific Borax Company
Pizer & Co. manufacturing chemists. of
Chicago, and the Preservaline Company, of
Chicago These men informed Colonel
Darlington that the meat packers were
among their patrons.
The reason given by the Beef Court for
refusing to admit the report in evidence
was that it duplicated much OF the testi-
mony taken by the Court, and that it was
cumulative in its nature.
The fact is tina: several important mat
tiers were brought out in the report which
do not appear in the record OF the pro-
ceedings Of the Beef Court II points out
several important witnesses who might
have been called on to testify. notably the
Chicago chemist who found acids in the
meat, the manufacturing chemists, and the
butcher, Billings.
II was probably the intention OF the Sec
retary of War that no publicity should ever
be given to the Darlington report 1t
was considered by the Beef Court in secret
session, was rejected as evidence, and was
returned to the Secretary OF War. He
was requested by various newspaper men
TO make public the contents of the report.
but positively refused. Several newspa-
per men made sage gus-ses as to the con-
tents OF the document. and yesterday Sec
retary Alger's determination collapsed and
he gave orders that the report should be
released.