The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-19
BEEF WAS NOT so VERY BAD.
COURT OF INQUIRY LIKELY TO
FIND AGAINST MILES.

n,eot was in Good Condition when
DeIiVered-Condition in Many
Cases Caused 1t to spOil-Canned
Reef Has Been Used Right Along
I'm the Navy--A Soldiers Mother
CompIained OF the Meat-Answers
Made by the Meat Men.
washington. April 1S-The army court
of inquiry has begun the framing of its re-
mort While a few minor matters remain
for examination they are not such as TO
affect the main issue.
II is regarded as certain that the court
vii, find that Gen. Miles charges that en-
balmed or chemically prepared beef was
sent to the army have not been sustain
ed.
The position of the court is believed to
he that the testimony is conclusive that
both the refrigerated beef and the canned
beef were in good condition when deliv-
cred 10 the government and continued so
untif issued TO the troops, except that
norton was damaged in transportation or
affected by tropical conditions, and to
these causes of injury and these condi-
t,ons, the chief causes of trouble will be
attributed.
1t will be shown that the refrigerated
beef. after being taken from the Ice in
the tropical climate, spolls quickly unless
well cared for. and that the canned beef,
after being opened, because of the great
heat becomes repulsive in appearance and
soon unpalatable.
But the court will hold, as the result
of chemical Investigations by experts, that
the canned beef is wholesome and nutri-
tious
Attention will be called TO the fact that
It was used throughout the war by our
navy, and is still used by the fleet.
IT Is believed that the court will criti-
else those officers who have testified that
they were aware that bad beef was issued
to the troops, and who failed to report
their observations until after the war had
closed.
More Testimony Taken.
The court Of inquiry held its session to-
day, devoting the forenoon to an eXecu-
tive meeting, the afternoon to hearing tes-
timony and the evening to the reading of
reports of army officers.
Gen. Weston continued his testimony,
detailing the provision made for victuallns
. the soldiers during the war, and contend
ing that beef on the hoof could not have
been landed at Siboney.
Il George Il. Taylor, the Philadelphia chem
ist. said he had detected the presence of
formaldehyde on the meat while on his
way to Porto Rico last fall as an officer
in the First Volunteer Cavalry.
Between sixty and seventy reports from
army officers bearing upon the ration serv-
ed in Cuba were read during the night ses-
sion of the court, which lasted until near
ly 1920 o'clock.
Letter From Mother.
When the court convened Col. Davis
submitted the following letter, signed "A
1 Soldiers Mother"
From Chicago Aug. s. 1S9S.-President
4 Mckinley: Dear Sir-A workman from one
of the packing houses told my husband
to-day the stuff they were packing up for
the army was awful. Now, is not that
TOO bad? We are living under a generous
government, with kind, good man at its
head willing TO give the army the best
possible, and yet thievlng conspirators will
4 give the boys the worst We see in the
papers the soldiers complain of the can
ned beef, some of it not ft to eat. OF
course dear President you cannot help
all the wrongs done the army. If you
will only threaten the vengeance of the
government on the packers the food may
be better"
Answers to the Letter.
This letter was referred to the war de-
partment for investigation, and by the
department referred to Maj o. NJ. Smith
purchasing commissary at Chicago. Maj
smith returned to the department letters
IN reply to ii from Armour & Co, Libbey
Mcneil & Libbey, Cudahy and Hammond
d Co. These letters were denial of the
/ charges contained in the above letter an6
one OF them offered an explanation of the
so-calied "swellers" among the canned
roast beef
The reports read by Maj. Lee were along
lhe same lines as those heretofore sub.
milled to the court. As a rule they were
unanimous in condemnation of the canned
roast beef Col. Davis also read a large
natch of reports among them one from
MAJ. Gen. Sumner in which he stated thai
TO the best of his belief his command al
no time had suffered for want of food dur
ing The Cuban campaign.