The record-union., 1899-02-23

ing this trip he became SO Ill that he
was obliged to return home to Pitts
burg, where, after remaining for some
time ON sick leave, he rendered his
resignation.
In all of this very detailed recital the
question of beef was not once preached
by the court, but when the witness had
been chronologically carried through
his term of office the recorder handed
him the famous "embalmed beef re-
port" and asked if he recognized it,
DR.. Daily said that he did. and that it
was all right except perhaps the date,
which in the copy was September DIST
He said, to the best of his recollection,
the exact date was October 18th The
date, however, he said, was not essen
tial, the report being genuine, and, in
the opinion of DR.. DAILY, perfectly ac-
curate.
Colonel Davis then addressed the
court briefly, saying that it was only
within twentyfour hours that he had
been able personally to study this re-
port of DR.. Daily, and he found therein
certain allegations against certain per-
sons who had made contracts for sup
plying food material to the Govern
ment. To continue the examination of
the witness on this subject in the alb
sence of those persons against whom
his charges were directed would be to
deprive them of rights accorded them
by law. He, therefore, suggested that
the other parties interested (the meat
contractors should be given reasonable
notice Of the proceedings and that the
witness hQ cod IN
when the examination could be contin-
ued with the other interested parties
present.
Prior to leaving the stand, however,
DR.. DAILY was examined in regard to
the Powell experiment with beef pres
ervations at Tampa, Colonel Davis
pointing out that it was merely expert
mental and no contractor was involved.
DR. Daily said ]. F. Weston called his
attention to- quarter of beef which
was hanging on board ship, and which
Weston said had been sixty hours in
the open air and he was waiting to see
what would eventuate. Dr. Daily did
not recall anything of Colonel Weston's
statement indicating the beef was
other than a part of the general sup
ply, or that it had been treated with
chemical as an experiment. Hei noticed
that flies would not remain on the beef
and that no larvae were deposited. He
thought that strange and that the beef
would not purify in the Tampa air af-
ter sixty hours exposure. Witness fin
ally cut a piece from the beef and later
cooked and ate it. After riding horse
back he became nauseated Hell did not
suspect preservatives on the beef, al
though the taste suggested an exper-
fence he had with antelope some years
before while hunting. Nevertheless, DIR.
Daily said he remarked to NC one about
the matter.
Witness wanted it made plain that
Colonel Weston had said nothing about
the quarter of beef being experimental,
and he had no reason to suspect the
Government was conducting an expert
ment as to the efficacy of any chemi-
cal preservative.
Replying to Colonel Davis. witness
said he supposed the beef was a part
of a consignment from the contractors,
supposed to keep seventy-two hours in
the sun, and perhaps Colonel Weston
was merely curious to see if the beef
would stand the test. Recurring to the
taste OF the beef as suggesting an ex-.
perlence with preserved antelope meat
witness said some years ago, while en-
route TO hunting grounds in the West
he secured in Chicago what was rec
commended as a personalities white
powder. 1t was used in camp and pre-
served the meat, but the latter. when
eaten, nauSeated him.
An analysis divulged the presence of
boric and salicylic acids In regard to
the Tampa experience, DR.. Daily said it
did not arouse any suspicion. He did
not look upon the incident as al Govern
ment experiment, and did not feel call
ed upon to report or take any official
action about it Replying to Colonel
Gillespie, he said he first considered his
Tampa experience sufficiently serious to
present to the department when he had
experience with contract beef on the
Panama DR.. Daily was then excused.
Captain r. H. Breckham of the Sub-
s1stence Department of Volunteers re-
ported as Brigade Commissary of the
First Brigade Cavalry at Tampa on
June q, 1898. He had no knowledge
OF any experiment upon beef at Tampa.
He accompanied the expedition to
cuba, and issued canned roast beef on
the voyage and after landing. On the
transport Rio Grande four quarters of
fresh beef were placed he understood.
for the purpose of experiment, though
he had no understanding of any treat
ment and knew nothing of it's origin.
He was instructed to see how long it
would keep. General Sumner gave him
instructions to care for and watch it
Some of it was thrown overheard the
second day out, and the remainder on
the third day. 1t had been on the dock
several hours before being placed on
board, and when thrown overheard it
eaten by any one.
Lieutenant Cole, Sixth Cavalry, who
was aboard the Rio Grande, which car
ried General Summers headquarters
and the four experimental quarters of
beef to Cuba, was much clearer in his
recollection of the beef quarters than
Captain Breckham. 1t was, he said,
from some firm of meat packers"
and was sent expressly for expert
mental use by the soldiers with the
knowledge that it was chemically pre-
pared. The beef lasted only three
days, after which it decayed and was
thrown overheard. Some of it was
cooked before it spoiled Witness saw
the piece cooked, but did not eat il.
1t looked well, and the men who tasted
it said sit was all right" The Off
GERS discussed freely, but none of them
knew how the beef had been treated,
the process being secret The beef
that spoiled became very offensive, and
exuded dark coagulated blood.
Lieutenant Cole said he ate some of