The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-02-24
Such a Source Of Supply, He Declared, 10
Be Impractical In Cuba.
FAVORABLE TO CANNED ROAST BEEF
The First Complaint Made Against Il Came From
Captain Philip Reed Eagans Examination
VIII Be Continued TODAY.

Washington. Feb. 24-Thc testimony
Of General Weston. who was. at the
outbreak OF the war. assistant commits
ssry general. and who now is the sue
cessor OF Commissary Eagan. and the
appearance OF General Eagan were the
features of yesterdays proceedings of
the court OF inquiry investigating the
charges of General Miles as 10 the beef
supply 10 the army while in Cuba and
Porto Rico.
Each contended that the canned roast
beef was a wholesome and nutritious
component of the army ration which
was furnished the Santiago and Porto
Rican expeditions. and took issue with
the regular army officers who have crit
iciSed it. Regarding the refrigerated
beef. the testimony of yesterday tended
10 show that IL was satisfactory Cen
eral icagan entered into the circum-
stances attending the entry into con-
tracts with the beef concerns, and will
conclude his testimony today.
General Eagan appeared i'm full dress
uniform OF a brigadier general, wearing
sword. greeted the court smilingly and
proceeded TO testify. lie took issue with
General Miles I'm regard TO beef on
the hoof being the best supply Of fresh
beef to the army, insisting that such
source of supply was impracticable in
Cuba, and especially undesirable in any
country where the animal heat i'm the
beef could not disappear before cooking.
In reply TO questions. he said he con-
sidered carefully the question OF fresh
beef for the army when beef on the hoof
or refrigerated beef could not be sup
piled. He was very favorably inn
pressed with the canned roast beef. and
united with other officers OF the depart
ment in adopting IL. He understood the
navy had used 1T for many years with
entire satisfaction. In introducing
canned roast beef IL was the intention 10
use ii as an incident, and the men could
take it or not as they liked. The best
way, he said, for ii to be used, was in
stew with vegetables.
The first complaint about this beef
came from Captain Philip Reed. OF the
commissary department.. Witness was
surprised. and ordered all officers who
had the beef to examine and report.
All responses endorsed the beef.
The question of supplying refrigerated
beef came up with the war. and there
were many consultations with packers
representatives about the keeping OF
beef after being taken from the re
frigerators. Refrigerated beef and
frozen beef were sent TO Tampa for n
test, and witness recollection was that
the frozen spoiled first. Mind you.
however" said General Eagan. this
" "A - nt L. t,n. taI
with chemicals"
General Eagan said the department
never had considered it possible to get
native beef i'm Cuba, and the proposition
for the government To buy and take its
own herds to Cuba was never con-
sidered seriously.
Colonel Davis read the contract with
Swift & Co. for the Porto Rican supply
OF refrigerated beef. General Eagan hav-
ing identified the copy. The beef con-
cern was required to put in refrigerator
plants on ships where necessary. Beef
was TO be from steers weighing not less
than 600 pounds, dressed. and should be |
so preserved by the refrigerating pro-
cess as To he perfectly good ana tit for
use - hours after delivery from the
refrigerator on ship" or "A hours de-
livery from any refrigerator the beef
concern might erect at any port, 'to
the proper officer of the United states"
A similar contract for the supply FOR the
forces in Cuba was presented.
Swift e. Co. were the lowest bidders"
said General Eagan. Explaining fur
ther. he said
MY understanding was that the beef
should DE perfectly good for 70 hours
after Ii left tho ship or from their plant
on shore. and the "A hours I'm the con-
tract must have been originally the re- !
suit OF clerical error"
General Eagan said that when the war !
came there were three plans for fresh
beef supply--refrigerated beef. beef on
the hoof, to be furnished by contractors.
and for the government 10 own it's own
herd. MI his experience taught him the !
undesirabiity OF the governments own
ing it's own herd. the expenses and
trouble. atrsylng OF the cattle and in |
convenience OF slaughter all arguing |
against 10. Refrigerated beef he con- |
sidered first choice. and when the beef |
concerns offered II and guaranteed its |
preservation. he accepted it.
Without concluding the hearing of |
General Eagans testimony. tho court |
adjourned until this morning, when Il /
is expected that he will be before the !
court the entire forenoon. explaining the |
circumstances attending the furnishing |
CT commissnry supplies.