The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-20


Witness on the Stnnd-The Hear
inEs Are to Pc Resumed In Chi
cagO-StOry of the Regular Sol
dier Not Shaken
LEAVENWORTH, Kan, March I9-
The army beef board Of inquiry concluded
the taking of testimony at Fort Leaven-
worth at noon today and at Ais departed
for Chicago, where the sessions will be
resumed Monday. The sole witness ex-
amined today was Sergeant Edward Ma
son, Troop A, First United States cavalry,
located at Fort Robinson, Neb., who serv-
ed as regimental commissary sergeant at
Lakeland, Fla, and during the Cuban
campaign.
Sergeant MaSon's testimony was prob
ably the most direct that has been ad-
duced since the court left Chicago, the
witness declaring that the meat received
at Lakeland for use in his regiment was
undoubtedly chemically treated
AN agent of Amour & Co.," he testi-
fed, told me at the time that this meat
had been treated with what was called
preservatine." Witness had refused to
accept the meat.
Sergeant Mason was interrogated in
dividually by each member of the court
and could not be shaken in his testimony
No complaint was made of the canned
roast beef. he said in answer to ques-
tion as to the meat furnished to the
troops while en- route to Cuba, but the
meat was tasteless and unsatisfactory
generally, and had to be thrown over
board.
In Cuba the men of his regiment would
not eat the canned roast beef, and as
rule 1t was thrown away. The refrigerat-
ed beef issued after the surrender was
good but as rule it spoiled before 1t
could be used.
The witness was then taken in hand
by Maj. Lee. He said he was detailed
commissary sergeant at Lakeland about
April 29, and served as such, to the close
of the Cuban campaign.
Did you, as commissary sergeant or
acting commiSSary sergeant for the regi-
ment, draw any refrigerated beef at Tam
pa, or Lakeland?" asked Maj Lee
Il did, sir.
What occurred?"
IT WAS EMBALMED.
The meat we received was in appear
ance fine, but it was undoubtedly chemi-
cally treated. One morning | went down
l objected to the appearance of it, An
agent OF Armour & Co. was there
do not know what his name was. He told
me at the time that this meat had been
treated with what was called preserva-
tine. 1t as If 1t had been painted
over with something like paraffine wax
There was light coating on the outside
of the meat 1 objected to the color of
the meat and refused to accept it. Our
commissary officer came down and he re-
fused to accept it."
about what time was that?"
The 2Sth or 29th of May
who was the officer that came DOWN.
Lieut.. J. G. Hartman"
about how much of this meat was
there at this timer"
Probably about 5000 pounds that was
in the car"
Did you notice 1t generally?"
Il examined the meat very carefully,
as commiSSary sergeant; l had handled
meat before. The meat was undoubtedly
spoiled
Were any reports made by Armour's
agent at that time as to harmfulness or
lack of harmfulness of this preparation;
was it discussed?"
MY recollection is he said the prepa-
ration did not hurt the meat; that it was
safe. He advised us to cut off the out
side, and said the meat would be al
right in the interior next to the bone''
Did he state where this had beer
done?"
No, sir
Where had the meat come from before
coming to Lakeland?''
Il do not know. 1t came in carloads
probably from Chicago or Kansas City ~
You know, as a matter of fact, that
there was refrigerator establishment
there where meats were sent to the vari-
Gus commands?'
81 know that. I think our meat came
from Chicago It was not billed In any
way to the commissary."
Was all the meat you got there treat
ed with preServatine?'
THAT I could not say. The only thing
] know was what Armour's agent TOLD
me-"
ODOR UNPLEASANT.
By Gen. Gillespie: How did the agen1
happen to tell you about the appearance
of the meat?"
1.-The meat was supplied in the morn
ing and it smelled bad and had a bad ap
pearance. The agent, in simply speaking
of it, said: That is preservatine. Tha
is the chemical we use to protect the
meat, to preserve IT. AS to what pre-
servatine was 1 do not know"
'Was this agent at Lakeland or a
Tampa?"
HE came up from Tampa
Do you wish the court to understand
that very much of the meat supplied tt
you of that refrigerated beef had beer
treated chemically?"
81 would not swear that 1t was. I will
say that in my opinion it was"
Did you call the attention of the ser
geant to that meat being tfeated?"
81 called the attention of my commits
sary officer; my immediate superior"
BY Gen. George Davis: did all tn,
meat you got at Lakeland appear t.
have this glossy surface like paraffine?"
Yes, sir"
Did you say that 1t looked as though
paraffine was over it?"
"All the car meat we received had tina
appearance"
''How about the beef you received late
In Cuba?'
1.-The majority Of the meat we received
In Cuba spoiled on us. 1t was the faul
of the climate, as I thought at the time
did 1t have this white appearance?"
Il could not say, because 1t was all II
cloths.''
"Who was present beside yourself a
this interview with the agent of Ar
mour's?"
Lieut. Hartman and probably sergean