The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-01-27
ALGER'S TESTIMONY
Before the War Investigating Com
mittcc-Ecry Negative Sort Of In.
formation Given by the Secretary Of


mittcc-Vcry Negative Sort Of In.
formation Given by the Secretary of
War.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-secretary
Aiser, In response to all invitation OF the
war investigating commission, appeared
before that tody to-day. The secretary
was sworn b4 Genera! Wilson, after
which General Beaver. aft5r asking per-
mission to use the title general in
stead OF "Mr. Secretary" began the
examination of the head OF the war de.
partment.
Secretary Alger, in beginning. said
that he had been on duty at the war de-
nartment constantly during and after
the war with Spain. The chiefs OF bur
eaus in the department., he sa!d were
generally appointed 10 sueh places be-
cause OF seniority, but the President, K
he thought proper, could break this
rule.
When asked In regard to expenditures
By the department of the war fund, the
secretary replied that the larger part
had been devoted to strengthening coast
de!enseSr In anticipation OF such an In
quiry he had brought with him memor-
anduns prepared by heads Of bureaus
giving details Of the expenditure Of this
fund.
The secretary went on to state that
he had never had any personal Interest
In the expenditure OF government funds.
directly or Indirectly. No contracts for
~ tt,tN
the declaration OF war.
Have Tou recelyed any complaints
from the major general OF the army.
while at Porto Rico, as to the quality of
refrigerated and canned roast beef fur
nlshed the army?"
The secretary In replying referred to
his annual report. quoting A dispatch
from General Miller asking that TO more
beef oe sent because they could get q
large supply there. General Miles had
said something about beef that had
spoiled there.
General Beaver asked whether actual
preparation for war was not made be-
fore the declaration OF war was made
was because 1t was thought 1t would be
avtrted. No reply. however. was cx-
pected II the question was not deemed
by the secretary a proper one.
The witness replied that there had
been hOpES that war would be avertei.
The chiefs OF the several bureaus OF the
department had never assembled to hold
council OF war. They were all too
busy. III regard 10 the inspector gen
erals office the secretary did not con-
sider that the bureau had been practic-
ai!B abolished by the transfer Of its Off
-Gecs- --.S-.1ther- lluies- lie belleved-thlt
II retained Its efficiency.
Secretary Alger then told OF the In
spection OF camps, especially the tour
OF inspection by General Miles. He
Alger) never had received any Official
complain. from the armies In the field
in regard 20 fresh or canned meat fur
n!shed the troops.
Have you any information that meat
was ciI5mcally tceated?"
Nothing but what has been brought
out bf this commission
Beef, he went on. has been used as
an ermy ration for many years, and its
use was not an experiment In the Span
ish war. No complaint had beer re-
ceIved by him from the camps IN re-
gard 10 beef
When asked whether he was person.
ally interested In contracts for furnish
ing meat, the secretary said. with posi-
tivsneSS:
'I have not, never had. directly or
indirectly. any interest in any property,
in anything. supplied to this govern
ment."
lie had never received an official re-
por; that beef furnished the army had
caused sickness.
He had received reports from several
sources that at Ch!ckumauga and Camp
Thomas there had been 4 lack OF med!-
cInes and supplies. The reports were
investigated and supplies ordered at
once. He had never received a report
from the surgeon general that he was
unable 10 furnish supplies.
In regard To the arrival OF the Fifth
corps at Montauk he said that every
possible precaution had been taken to
make the camp healthful and conforta-
Die. There had been many deficiencies
that II was Impossible % remedy, but
everything that could be done had been
done.
This closed the examination and Sec
retary Alger was asked whether he
wished to volunteer ant statements,
but he declined TO do SO.