The times., 1899-05-09
FOOD SUPPLIES
FOR THH TROOPS
The President May Alter the
Soldiers RatiOns.
New Proposals for Fresh Beef Have
Been Called For.
The New Ration Will Contain Less
Ment and More Cereals
end Fruit.

President Mckinley has decided to in
stitute a special enquiry into the food
supplies of the troops in the tropics and
ii is probable that some changes will be
made in the ration as now provided. The
President has the right at any time TO
alter the ration of the soldiers should he
deem it necessary. Since the report Of
the Court of Enquiry he has looked care
fully into the matter of the meat COM
ponents of the rations and several days
ago had a consultation with the Surgeon
General of the Army with reference to
the effect of the proportions of meat on
the health of troops serving in tropi-
cal countries.
Following this conference he determined
TO get all the information he could on the
subject from the armies in Cuba, Porto
Rico, and the Philippines and accordingly
kilograms were sent TO General Otis, Gen
eraI Davis, and General Brooke asking
that boards be appointed TO investigate the
use of the articles of the ration and re-
port without delay by cable. While II Is
not believed that the food supplied the
troops is in any way responsible for the
present sickness of the troops In those
islands, it is thought probable that bet
ter ration could be formed by reduction
in the meat supply and an increase in the
amounts Of cereals and fruits.
Ii is expected that the boards to be ap-
pointed Will recommend just what change
is considered advisable and upon their
findings and the reports OF the medical
~ ha
taken as the President thinks proper. The
Commissary Department is continuing the
use of refrigerated beef in Cuba and Porto
Rico, but until the erection OF a refrig-
orator at Manila will continue to use the
frozen beef purchased al Manila from the
vessels OF the Navy.
Proposals have Just been called for by
the Department for supplying the troops
in Cuba and Porto Rico with fresh beef
Proposals for both refrigerated and fresh
" slaughtered beef are invited They are
TO be opened at Chicago, Havana, and San
Juan on May Is, and contracts viii be
awarded for a years supply, beginning July
l. 1899, and ending June so, 1900. The re-
quirements of the refrigerated beef is that
il must be from fat steers yielding not less
than coo pounds, dressed weight, per car
eass. If the meat furnished is from cattle
slaughtered In the United States, il must
be from United States Government-inspect-
ed animals; if from cattle slaughtered in
Cuba, it must be from sound and healthy
animals that are subject to inspection az
all times by the local commissary officer
and his assistant. The beef is TO be guar
anteed to remain perfectly good and II; for
use for twenty-four hours after acceptance.
any meat falling within this limit Of time
under proper care for its preservation to
be Immediately replaced by, and at the cost
nf ba Riders include
their prices the expenses of transportation,
refrigerator, clothing of the meat, and
handling of the same, preparatory to lay
ing the same down to commissaries at the
posts mentioned for acceptance. Only such
quantities of such beef imported into Cuba
as shall be actually accepted for the use OF
the troops of the United States will be ad-
mitted free of duty. and a quantity not so
accepted being subject to the customs duty
of $3.50 per one hundred Kilograms, pay
able TO the customs authorities of the ISL
and Such freshly slaughtered dressed beet
must be from fat cattle that will yield al
least 400 pounds per dressed carcass, and al
time Of offer to the commissaries for accept
ance must, from natural or artificial COOL
ing, be entirely free from animal heat and
in fit condition for imm sdiate use as showI
by rigid inspection. Contractors herds ar,
to be at all times subject to inspection b!
the local commissary officer and his assist
ants. Cattle imported into Cuba are sub.
5ect TO customs charges of 81 per head, ant
bidders must make their bids with the un-
derstanding that this duty is TO be paiI
by them on all cattle imported by them fol
the purposes of the contract.
In making awards preference will bC
given in all cases to refrigerated, chilled
or frozen beef. where the delivery OF th'
same is practicable, due regard being had
10 the prices of same in cornparisou will
the prices at which suitable quantities an,
conditions OF freshly slaughtered dressed
beef are offered
All beef of whatsoever character offere,
for acceptance must be good in quality ant
condition, from fore and hind quarter
proportionally, including all the best cut
thereof. necks cut off at the fourth yer
tebral joint, breasts trimmed down, shank
Of fore quarters cut of four inches abov
the knee joint, of hind quarters eigh
inches above the hook Joint; necks
shanks, kidney tallow, and beef from bull
and stays, and from females (excep
spayed heifers) to be excluded.
Beef presented for acceptance not of th
kind stipulated for in the contract will
rejected by the commissaries, subject I
appeal TO commanding officers whose de
cision Will be final: and any pecuniary los
resulting TO the United States by reaso
of such default to be made good by th
contractor.
Proposals have also been invited for SUP
plying the troops in Cuba and Porto Ric
with potatoes and onions. and bids will /
opened in Chicago. Havana, and San Jua
for those supplies on May II. The vegt
tables are to be of good varieties and
reasonably large and uniform size, full
matured, dry. and in all respects of goo
quality and condition.