The Red Cloud chief., 1899-01-20
SHOULD DISMISS EAGAN
DIR. Sem Talks About the Lates, Phase of
the Beet Controversy

the Beef Controversy
New ORLEANS, Jan. l6 - Colonel
Nicholas Sem, the distinguished SUR
geon OF Chicago. who was chief con-
sulting surgeon OF the maiical staff of
General Shaftcr and General Miles. in
Cubn and Porto Rico, arrived in New
Orleans yesterday NJ n vacation.
When asked his opinion OF the con-
trovcrsy now raging between General
Miles and Commissary General Eagan,
DIR. Sem said:
"Such a thing is TO DO sincerely re-
GREETED. l do not think the commits
sion should have allowed General
Eagan's testimony to have been pub
lishcd, and, of curse, his dismissal
from the army can be the DULY logical
outcome Of such statements rs ho has
made. and In such language.
80 far rs the canned roast beef in
question is concerned, l think that IL
lacks in nutrimcnt, is extremely dis
tasteful to the palate and undoubtedly
unwholesome in its effect upon the
soldiers. i could not eat it myself and
| know many OF the men absolutely
refused TO eat Il, even when they had
no other rations; it simply nauseated
them. The old style corn beef was n
tested article and has always proved
more or less satisfactory, rs also has
bacon. IT was hardly n time to choose
for an experiment, when n large army
was starting on an expedition into q
tropical country. ! do not know by
what process the fresh beef was
treated in an attempt to preserve It,
but there are certain things like
salacylic acid, which, when dissolved,
will form an alright coating and keep
animal matter free from faint for
some time. But it / purely a matter
Of experiment ~ yet.
what has been done in the past
few months, however, Is of very little
Importance in view Of the necessity
which Is shown TO exist for a thorough
examination and investigation OF food
supply for our army in the tropics. A
commission of experts should be APP
pointed at once to take the matter in
hand, and in view Of our recent cX-
pcr.cncc in the West Indies and the
Philippines, arrive ~ the proper RAJ
tons TO be safely issued TO II troops
sent on long voyages and on service in
dangerous climates. As l said before,
the controversy now in progress is "
bc extremely regretted. There is nc
question, however, rs to the undcsira'
bi ity of the canned roast beef as an
army ration"
As IA matter of course all army Off
GERS in New Orleans are very much in
terested in the new outbreak in The
War department. While unwilling &c
be quoted they are emphatic in thcil
statement that the present incident IL
illustrates, as did the Interview give,
out by General Miles in Porto Rico
the wide breach and utter lack OF har
mony between the military politico
in Washington and the real army
While the friction between Genera
Miles and Secretary hlger was appar
emily smoothed over, it Is not believed
that this moro recent incident, In view
OF all that has gone before, can be 81
elsiiy overlooked by the President
The general opinion is that army mat
I rs have reached a crisis, that some
thing must happen. anI that in TIL
lc yislation PROPOSED this winter step
should be taken to thoroughly rcor
ganize the staff. and dev.so som
means Of putting it more in harmon.
with the line.