The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-02-14

ION the 21st day of December last
Major General Nelson A. Miles, upon
the written request of the president OF
this commission, appeared before It,
He refused to be sworn, as all other
witnesses had been except one, who
affirmed, stating that he would make
his statements without being sworn.
and was responsible for what he said.
He proceeded, and for the first time In
the history of the investigation the al
legation was made that refrigerated
beef issued to the troops had been
chemically treated. He proceeded to
read a communication from DR.. w. II.
DAILY, major and chief surgeon United
States volunteers on his staff, bearing
date Of Sept. q, 1898. wherein DR.. DAILY
stated that he found the fresh beef to
be apparently preserved with secrat
chemicals which destroy its natural
flavor and which ! also believe to De
detrimental to the health of the troops
although DR.. DAILY swears he
informed General Miles about the 1st
of August, 1885, that he suspected that
the refrigerated beef was chemically
treated, 1t does not appear that the
general Informed you or the war de-
paltment that the officer of his staff
had made this discovery, nor does it
appear that he at any time ordered any
of the officers of his command to probe
to the bottom an allegation which, II
true, concerned the health of 2I0,0CO
soldiers of the United States.
Dr.. DAILY Was Negligent.
"For months, as it appears, DR.. DAILY
concealed the knowledge of the COM
mission Of crime affecting men under
his charge, whom, as an officer and
physician, he was bound to protect"
The report then, after quoting from
the regulations of the agricultural de-
partment. prescribing the manner in
which inspections are made (and no
packing house in the country ID al
lowed to do business without govern
mental inspection), after detailing the
processes pursued by our officials and
showing the practical impossibility of
putting impure meat upon the market,
goes on to say:
"The commission has not confined it.
self to merely verbal or written proof
Immediately upon hearing the testi-
mony of DR.. DAILY, on the Goth of jan
uary telegrams were sent to all is
suing cOmmlsaaries in Cuba, Porto
Rice and at the various home camps
occupied by troops. asking that SAM
pies of refrigerated beef be at once
taken, placed in glass jars securely
sealed and forwarded to the commits
sion. In response to the request many
samples have Heen received and later
sent to the chemists of the agricultural
and interior departments for careful
chemical examination. The result OF
analysis has been reported to us in ~
cases. and in no specimen examined
has either boric or salicylic acid or
other delete rious chemicals been found.
'ln view of the facts above set forth
the commission is of the opinion that
no refrigerated beef furnished by con-
tractors and issued to the troops dur
ing the war with Spain was subjected
| or treated with any chemicals by the
| contractors or those in their employ.
The work Of the signal corps and the
! corps Of engineers is highly commend
| ed. and the ordinance department is
| declared to have been untiring in its
work. The medical department was un-
out undue regard to cost. and was un-
prepared to meet the necess ities OF the
army at all times. The failure of con-
| grcss to authorize volunteer hospital
corps was responsible for the fact that
in May, June and July the nursing
; force was neither ample nor efficient.
Reforms For Medical Department,
What is needed by the medical de-
partment in the future is a large force
of commissioned medical officers; au-
thorily to establish in time of war
proper volunteer hospital corps; re-
serve corps of selected trained women
nurses; a years supply of medicines,
etc, fer an army of at least four times
the actual strength; of the securing ot
legislation that will enable medical Of
1lcers to purchase delicacies for sick
soldiers
Regarding the camps the report says
| that Chickamauga Park is not adapted
for more than 20,OG0 men, though at
one time there were GS54S there. Camp
AIcer was undesirable" and not
abandoned too soon. At Camp Cuba
Libre, Jacksonville, there was much to
commend. Charges of corruption were
freely made in connection with the To-
cation Of the camp at Fernandina. Fla
Thev were investigated carefully and
found to be without the least founda-
ton. The camp at Mania, Fla, was
selected by the major general COM
manding, and highly recommended by
him, II was found in all respects un-
suitable The camp at Tampa was
barring the extreme heat, acceptable
AT San Francisco the camp was some
what crowded. The camp at Admission.
Ala, was found in excellent condition,
and Huntsville, Ala, was in all re-
sporls equal to Admission. Knoxville.
Tenn. conditions satisfactory. LeXing-
ton. Ky, an idea! camp. Camp Meade,
Pa, in first class order. Camp WikofI,
at Montauk Point, was an ideal site,
but the soldiers were crowded In there
too rapidly, causing much confusion at
the outset But, after all" says the
rcnort there was much eAagEeration
| I'm What was written and said about
| Tho conditions at Camp Wikoff-eXag-
rcra ton at times intentional. generally
the result of unfamilarity with the life
of the soldier and with the appearance
'ol n large number of sick and broken
down men brought together in lin
ted space"
Cottouseed OIL.
There appears to be no limitation to
tnc industrial Uses of cUttonsecd oil, and