Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-01-27

h4NBN NOlftiNN VI EMbAl4A-
ED BEEF EXCEPT WHAT HAD
BEEN DEVELOPED BY THE IN
vESTIGATING COMMISSION.
Washington, ID. c.. January &c
Secretary Alger. in response to an in
vitation OF the war investigating COM
mission, appeared before that body
to-day. The Secretary was sworn by
Gen. Wilson. after which Gov. Beaver,
after asking permission 10 use the
title General instead of Mr.. Sec
rotary" began the examination of the
head of the Wal Department.
Secretary Alger in beginning stated
that he had been on duty at the War
Department constantly during and
after the war with Spain. The chiefs
of bureaus in the department, he said.
were generally appointed to such
places because of seniority, but the
President, if he thought proper, could
break this rule.
When asked in regard to expendi-
lures by the department of the war
fund, the Secretary replied that the
larger part had been devoted to
strengthening coast defenses. In an
t~icipation of such an inquiry he had
brought with him memorandums pre-
pared by heads of bureaus, giving de-
tails of the expenditures of this fund.
The Secretary went on to state that
he had never had any personal inter-
est in the expenditure of government
funds, directly or indirectly. No con-
tracts for equipment were entered into
prior to the declaration of war.
Have you received any complaint
from the Major General of the army.
while at Porto Rico as to the quality
of refrigerated and canned roast beef
furnished the army?"
The secretary replying. referred to his
annual report, quoting a dispatch from
Gen. Miller asking that no more beef be
sent because they could get a large sup
ply there. Gen. Miles had said something
about beef that had spoiled there.
Governor Beaver asked whether actual
preparation for war was not made before
the declaration of war because it was
thought it would be averted. No reply.
was expected, if the question was not
deemed by the secretary a proper one.
The witness replied that there had been
hopes that the war would be averted.
The chiefs of the several bureaus of the
department had never assembled to hold
a council of war. They were all too busy.
In regard to the inspector generals office,
the secretary did not consider that tho
bureau had been practically abolished by
the transfer of officers to other duty.
He believed that it had retained It's eff
cheney.
Secretary Alger next told of the inspec-
ton of camps, especially the tour of in
spection by Gen. Miles. He (Alger) never
had received any official complaint from
the armies in the field in regard TO fresh
or canned meat furnished the troops.
Have you any information that meat
was chemically treated?'
Nothing but What has been brought
out by this commission"
Beef, he went on, had been used as an
army ration for years and its use was
not an experiment In the Spanish war.
No complaints rave been received by him
from the camps in regard to the beef.
When asked whether he was personally
interested in contracts for furnishing
meat. the secretary said With positveness:
Il have not; 1 never had, directly or in
directly, interest in any property, In any
thing supplied to this government"
He had never received an official report
tina beef furnished the army had caused
sickness.
He had received reports from several
sources that at C~hickamauga and Camp
Thomas there had been a lack of medi-
cines and supplies. The reports were in
~vestigated and the supplies ordered at
once. He had never received a report
from the surgeon general that he was un-
able to furnish supplies.
In regard to the arrival OF the Fifth
corps at Montauk he said that every pos
sible precaution had been taken TO make
the camp healthful and comfortable.
There had been many deficiencies that 1t
was impossible to remedy, but everything
that could be lone had been done.
This closed the examination and Secrs-
tary Alger was asked whether he wished
to volunteer any statements, but he de-
clined to DO so.