Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-01-07
GEN. MILES IGNORES
DEMANDS OF EAGAN
He Refers the "EmbaImed Beef"
Scandal to the Inspector Gen.
eraI for Investigation.
MEAT DUMPED IN the OCEAN
Some 200, 900 Pounds OF the Rcfrig-
Grated Beef Disposed Of i'm That
way.-Omcers Corroborate
Miles Charges.

Dl. LOUIS, DCS. Ol'-@h NuShibS"A
special TO the Republic says:
General Miles has played n higher
card than Commissary General Eagan
by quietly referring the whole "em-
balmed beef" scandal TO the inspector
general. lie took this Legitimate and
strictly military curse after writing
n reply to General Eagan's demand that
the general commanding the army
should ayow or disavow certain state
ments made in his testimony before
the investigation commission and in
interviews.
General Eagan's plan was TO get n
hearing before the investigation COM
mission, make reply 10 General Miles
charges and then put General Miles in
the attitude of responding to a charge
made by n subaltern.
General Miles saw through the trick
and trumped it.. The general said:
II do not propose 10 enter into any
discussion of the matter except TO say
that when | found the troops We're
supplied with food not fit TO eat 1t
was my duty TO find out who was re-
sponsiblc for it,"
This controversy between General
Eagan and Major General Miles has led
10 n singular revelation. IT has been
learned that 100000 pounds of "cm-
balmed" refrigerated beef was dis
posed OF in New York harbOr by dump
ing some of il overheard and carrying
the rest of il away on scows, lighters
and carts.
This beef was first sent to Puerto
Rico on the Manitoba. The story is
that the commissary generals officer
in charge tried TO land it.
General Miles ordered this agent
back on board, and told him not to un-
load the beef. Some of the beef got
ashore, but the large quantity of $780,
600 pounds came back to New York,
and was either fed TO the fishes or sup
piled to the soap factories.
The company which sent il says that
il must be paid for the meat. The
claim involves almost $27, 900 worth of
responsibility. The question before
the department is: Is General Miles
responsible, or is the commissary gen
cral to be held?
There is a well founded report in the
Office of the secretary Of wal that Al
ger will appoint n board of inquiry to
investigate the matter, got SO much
on account of the amount, but because
Of the high officials involved. The
agent of the company which furnished
this beef is in the city looking for his
money.
Corroboratc Miles Charges.
Washington, Dec. 31.-The war in
vestigating commission held only a
short session yesterday, devoted TO eX-
ccutiye business. There were no wit
nesses ready for examination. The
Swift Packing company, of Chicago,
which protested against the state
ments in General Miles testimony de-
rogatory TO their canned fresh beef
furnished his expeditions, has notified
the commission Of inability TO be on
hand January 4, as expected, and
January 8 has been set as the date for
the appearance of its representatives.
The commission has made public "a
synopsis Of the reports Of officers to
General Miles of the results obtained
from the use Of canned fresh beef, the
o called roast beef, in campaigns
in Cuba and Puerto Rico.
a synopsis of the reports is rs fol-
lows:
Commanding officer of Fourth in
fantry, Major Baker: Beef seemed
to be inferior in quality, anything but
palatable. Quite n number of men
could not and did not eat it,"
Commanding officer Sixth infantry,
Lieutenant Colonel Miner: Meat was
utterly unfit as article of diet for
either sick or well. 1t had no nutri-
ment in it and turned the stomach of
the men,"
Commanding officer Twelfth infan-
try, Major Humphreys: Meat pre-
scented such a rcpuIsive appearance
that men turned from il in disgust.
Nasty is the only term that will fifty
describe its appearance. It's use pro-
duced diarrhoea and dysentery."
Commanding officer Thirteenth in
fantry, Colonel A. Il. Smith: MANY
complaints were made concerning the
meat. 1t was found very unpalatabIe
and unfit for the troops"
Commanding officer of the Seven
teenth infantry, Major O'Bricn: EMU
tritious juices having been cooked out
of the meat, it was neither n%ourishing
nor palatable. 1t was unfit for use.
1t should not have been issued"
Commanding officer First cavalry,
Brigadier General Niele: "Meat was
n miserable apology for food in a hot
climate, Shiny looking mass of beef
scraps unpalatable TO the taste, re-
pulsive to the sight. Competition for
the contracts placed the price so low
that only tailings and scraps were
used for canning.