Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1899-02-15

ing that volunteer commands differed by
men OF military experience and training
Jared much better than those differed by
amateurs. The soldiers were more effect
lively cared tor, enjoyed better health and
were better fed and clothed.
One of the lessons taught by the war is
that the country should hereafter be in a
better state of preparation for war. The
president should have the same power OF
selection of his general in chief as he has
of bis secretary of war; without this there
can be no guaranty that he will give, or
that the secretary OF war will place in the
general in chief that confidence which is
necessary to perfect harmony. Neither
the president nor the secretary OF war
should have in the command of the army
an officer who is not working in harmony
with him.
Recent experience has served to prove
that the proper position for the senior Of
fcer of the army on duty at Washington is
not that OF commanding general, position
which is practically impossible, but that of
general in chief which means in fact, chief
of staff to the president. The title of gen.
eral in chief was permanent one during
the entire history of the country up to the
time when Gen. Grant became lieutenant
general.
The records OF the war department show
that the secretary of war extended to all
chiefs of bureau cordial and full support
and promptly responded to every proper
demand made upon him by commanding Of
icers. No testimony has been presented
showing intentional neglect of duty nor
any attempt to serve personal interests.
The charges made that the secretary OF var
was pecuniarily interested in CONTRACTS,
purchases and other TRANSACTIONS OF the Par
department have been thoroughly exam
ined and found base,ess. In the judgment
of the commission there was lacking in the
general administration of the war depart
ment during the continuance of the war
with Spain that complete grasp of the situa-
ton which was essential to the highest
efficiency and discipline OF the army.
The adjutant generals department is
commended Tor its promptness and efficien-
cy, while the Inspector generals depart
ment is criticised for not acknowled girg
the authority of the secretary of war to or
der an inspection OF the camps.
The short comings of the quartermaster's
department are excused on the ground that
the declaration OF war threw upon this de-
partment an amount of labor and response.
biity for which it was neither physically
nor financially prepared.
Contracts covering millions OF dollars
were maze by the quartermaster's depart
ment during the period between April /,
and October 1, and although indefinite
charges have from time to time been made
OF fraud and collision, no evidence has
been produced before the commission to
substantiate these charges, although the
parties making them have been invited to
appear.
Considerable fault is found by the COM
mission with the poor transportation man.
agement, showing as it did an almost in
| excusable lack OF executive ability on the
part OF those in charge.
With regard to General Miles charge
that the refrigerated beef furnished to the
troops had apparently been chemically
treated, the commission asserts that a
chemical examination of this beef, reported
in 20 cases, failed to show that either boric
or salicylic acid or other deleterious chemi.
| Gals had been used in its treatment, and in
view of this examination the commission i.
OF the opinion that no refrigerated beef fur
nished by contractors and issued to the
troops during the war with Spain wa. sub.
jected to or treated with any chemical by
the contractors OF those in their employ.
| The commissions report shows that q
number OF officers testified that the canned
beef was unpalatable. 1t is also elected
that in tropical country, where it is sub
jected to intense heat, the meat presents q
repulsive appearance at first. Furthermore
it transpires that occasionally an inferior
article is found. But the records of the
army prove that canned beef has been used
for many years.
The report closes by saying that notwith-
standing the haste with which the country
entered upon war with Spain and the in
evitable confusion arising in bureau and
camp, the United States should ever be
proud that in less than three months il
taught the world at large the strength and
nobility of grand republic.