The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-31
HRMY COURT OF INQUIRY.
One witness Testihes That Armour's Agent
Said Beef Was Chemically Treated.

WASHINGTON. March 30.-The first witness
to-day before the court. OF inquiry investi-
eating Gen. Miles's charges about the beef sup
ply ot the army was George A. J. Gambler OF
Cincinnati. who was acting Commissary ot
Subsistence OF the Fret Ohio Cavalry. Reply
ing TO Recorder Davis. he said that he was
actinG Commissary while the regiment was
at Lakeland. Fla.
MAJOR Lee asked the witness to describe the
receipt and issue OF fresh beef while the regi-
ment was at Lakeland. The brigade Commits
sary he said. received The beef from the South
ern Express Company. II was in quarters
wrapped in burlar. The quarters were
weighed and each portion issued To the regi-
ments. There was a change in the way the
meat was delivered.
This was after the administration 81 Can't.
Carmichael" said the witness. The beef
was not as good q. it used to be. We found
the meat spoiled An agent oi Armour Il Co.
appeared:and we told him the beef was evil
IDENTITY sour. We removed the burlap and
showed him the meat with g~rsenish discolo-
rations on it He waved the matter aside. say
ing that its condition was due to a chemical
that was used on il to keen it the sixty hours
required"
Major Lee asked IL the witness could recall
what representative OF Armour 4 Co. had
made the statement attributed TO him.
II think his name was Morehouse." he re-
CAMPER described his personal appssrance.
and. then SAID that after this conversation the
beef was supplied cut up in zipc,lined boxes.
but still had that acrid. sour. bitter smell.
Pressed further about the agents remarks. he
he SAID Il H t6h. tSa, rs Is ali right that is good
beef: the spots. nd.smell:you opserve.on 1t are
due 70 the chemicals
beef received at Lakeland had a good red color
underneath. but the outside had spots and had
The spots were light .greenish and the odor
was sour and bitter, The meat down near the
bone was sweet, Col q ,h Day ybs "a drew d from Io the
days was good and had no g%reenish spots on II.
During the examination OF the witness Mr..
Morehouse.. Armour 4 Co.'S aeen'. was in the
room, but the witness was not asked to iden-
t!!y. him.
spector. General Of the second Division under
Gen. Lawton, was the next witness. MAJOR
Webb spoke vshemently Of the canned roast
1T was not food" he said. 1T was no, ap-
petizing TO look at; to a hungry man 1t did not
hal no taste. and looked Ike scraSs o, Steaks.
ne yer saw anything like IT,; II had no nutri-
tive yaiue To eat i was like openins your
for soldiers; asked MAJOR Lee.,.--,.
TO carry and a waste Of time to eat it"
Refsr5ins TO the fresh beef. MAJOR Webb
colors. t HIsp IT cane n t ~ fas f Il aas IN ot e.! s pa,ri d.
Col; Woodruff. purchasing Commissaty at
New York. was recalled TO the stand and Major
Lee inquired how insuection was made OF the
canned roast beef. Col. Woodruff replied that
he required a sample OF the goods offered te-
iore the award was made. Later, after the let;
ting Of the contract, the goods were inspected
BY examining a can at random from the cases
OF canned roast beef.
As TO how far back canr ed roast beef was
used in the army Col. Woodruff surprised
MAJOR Lee by remarking that at Madison bar
racks. the station OF the Ninth Infantry. Major
Lees own regiment, canned roast beef was
stored in 1895 or 80 and that permission
had been asked OF the Commissary Depart
ment to issue what was on hand and have more
sent in its place.
Agent Morehouse Of Armour 4 Co was re-
called to the sand. He declared that he did
not rememoer Grampter., He r"calIed inter-
views with Capt. Carmichael. but he did not
know that any one by the lame OF Grampier
was present.
Major Ice subjected the witness to a rather
sharp examination about he number OF re!ec-
tons OF beef at Lakeland. The witness de-
cared that he could state under oath that he
mad no use OF any expression about the use
Of chemicals to preserve the meat.
You deny this under oath 2" questioned
Major Lee.