Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-02-02
ALGER'S TESTIMONY.
The Secretary Of War Appears Be-
fore Investigation Commission.
4 SHORTAGE OF FOOD At SANTIAGO.
Caused Through Inability to Unload sup.
piles from the ships--Not Personally
Interested In Contracts - No
Complaint Received.

Washington, Jan. 27.-Secretary AL.
ger, in response to an invitation OF the
war investigating commission, ap.
pesred before that body yesterday.
The secretary, after being sworn, stated
that he had been on duty at the war
department constantly during and af.
ter 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.
ticipation Of such an inquiry, he had
brought with him memoranda pre-
pared by heads OF bureaus giving de-
tails Of the expenditure of this fund.
During the early part of the war,
with large body to provide for, some
defects were apparent 1t was not be-
cause Of lack OF funds, but because it
was impossible to handle properly SO
large a body Of men on such short
notice. Witness did not recall having
received during the war complaints in
regard to food furnished the army.
There was shortage Of food at San.
tiago, not because there were no sup
plies, but because they could not be
unloaded from the ships.
WAS the head Of any bureau guilty
Of failure to discharge his duty during
the continuance Of the WARP" asked
Gov. Beaver. INC, sir" replied Secre.
tary Alger.
did any report come to you Of any
irregularities or Of any fraudulent
practices in the contracting for sup
plies furnished to any Department.
mo. SIR
did you. directly or indirectly,
have any interest in tire selection of
any of the camps occupied by any of
the troops?' mo, sir, do not know
that anyone connected with me had
any such interest"
ibid you have any interest in any |
contract for materials supplied during
the war;" Not a cent in any con-
tract" replied the secretary, emphat.
scallv.
"Does that apply to transports pur-
chased?- Eyes, sir"
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 re-
port, quoting dispatch from Gen.
Miles asking that no more beef be
sent because they could get large
supply there. Gen. Miles had said
about beef that had spoiled
there.
Secretary Alger next told Of the in
'pection of the camps, especially the
Jour Of inspection by Gen, Miles,
He (Alger) never had received any
,fiicial complaint from the armies in
he field in regard to fresh or canned
neat furnished the troops.
Have you any information that
neat was chemically treatad?' Moth
ng but what had been brought out by
his commission.
Beef, he went on, has been used as
IN army ration for many years, and
is use was not an experiment in the
spanish war. No complaints had been
eoeived by him from the camps in re-
,ard to beef
When asked whether he was person
lily interested in contracts for fur.
fishing meat, the secretary said with
,ositiveness: ii have not; never
lad, directly or Indirectly, interest in
nv property or in anything supplied
o this government
This closed the examination and
secretary Alger was asked whether he
Wished to volunteer any statements,
nut he declined to make any state.
nent.
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