Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-07
BAD MEAT At HABANA.
Soldiers Rations Are Shortened in
Consequence

consequence.
| HABANA. April 6.-Captain Neil Gaines.
In charge Of the relief Of the destitute OF
| Habana, and provost Of this city, has de-
| eiined to give a receipt and thus make
himself accountable for 5000 cans OF beef,
$1,000 cans Of tomatoes. and quantities of
dried apples and other stores. knowing
that part OF these provisions are spoiled
The supplies are in Warehouse No. .. at
Regla. Acting -Chief-Commissary Bart
lett, in the absence of Chief-Commissary
A. L. Smith, wrote TO Captain Gaines FIVE
days ago. directing him. By order Of the
division commander. TO receive from Ma
jor j. G. Mullken, OF the Subsistence De-
pdrtment, these stores. Captain Gaines,
however, saw lot OF spoiled meat. and
asked General Ludlow to cause an in
spection TO be made. Major Mulliken was
unwilling TO wait for the inspection, as
he was being mustered out, and the de-
partment inspector. by General la How
order, investigated the matter on Sunday,
and found enough rotten meat 20 warrant
asking for the appointment Of a board OF
survey.
chief-Commissary Smith is reported 10
have received a letter from the acting
comnissary-general at Washington, di-
recting him 10 destroy the spoiled meat
without the action OF a board OF survey,
though such action is the usual proce-
dure, according TO regulations. Following
Smiths instructions, Major Mulliken's
clerk, Benson, says 1000 cans Of spoiled
meat have been thrown into the bay.
Smith, II further appears, instructed
Gaines. about February 10Th. that there
was no need to ask for the appointment
OF boards of survey I'm the case of tainted
4. 4. IA
posed OF would be replaced. whereupon
Gaines destroyed 400 cans. The packers
are said 10 be glad TO replace the dam
aged meat with good meat. Smith has
returned from Washington, and has gone
to Matanzas.
REFRIGERATED BEEF SPOILED.
1t is claimed that the refrigerated meat,
supplied by contract with Chicago firm
TO the United States troops at Habana
and MarianaO IS in part unfit for food
For Instance. it is pointed out. at o'clock
this morning a quantity of meat was
brought from the refrigerated-m ware
house. near Marianne, to the Concha rail
road station. There about 335 pounds Of
the meat was served to the commissa-
ries Of the Third Battalion of the Second
Engineers. covered with canvas, and was
taken, in less than thirty minutes. 10
La Punta, TO be distributed. But IL is
asserted, from 10 to 20 per cent. Of the
meat was spoiled, and had TO be trim
med off. The remainder was issued to the
2Gs men I'm the battalion.
The same thing. IT Is added. occurs
every morning at all the camps supplied
with this meat. The contention Of the
inspectors is that the outside meat Is
spoiled before it leaves the refrigerated
meat warehouse, and that II is not spoiled
in transit.
The inside meat is good. but after the
bad meat is trimmed Oft there is not
enough left for the regulation ration Of
twenty ounces 10 each man.
POSSIBLY ANOTHER INYESTIGA-
TION.
WASHINGTON, April G-Thc arraign
nent OF a large amount OF the canned
)eef supplied at Habana. Of which. it is
charged, 4,4C0 cans Of tainted beef have
lust been destroyed by cOmmssary Off
'ials, will be followed tomorrow by an
,rder from the War Department which |
nay result I'm an investigation
Acting Secretary Meikejohn, when |
hoWn the Associated Press dispatch |
bout the complaints and the destruction |
# spoiled meat on two occasions, with
ut board-of-survey formalities. stated |
hat General Brooke will be requested by |
able tomorrow to make a full and |
borough investigation Of all the charges |
nd complaints made, and TO report the
acts 10 the department.