New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-30
BEEF COURTS WORK ENDED
ITS REPORT COMPLETED AND SENT
40 THE PRESIDENT.
TAINED-cRITIcIsM OF THE COMMAND
1>-o,- L, r,a.r.uA1 H-1a OrIIrr, 0EEI1rEpS

ING GENERAL AND OTHER OFFICERS.
Washington, April 29-The Wade Court Of
Inquiry to-day concluded it's work In connection
with the allegations Of General Miles concern
ing the beef supplied to the Army during the
war with Spain. The report was signed at 2:30
p. m by every member of the Board and soon
afterward the members OF the Court left the
Lemon Building, where all the meetings in this
city have been held. Colonel Davis. the re-
corder Of the court, carried the official copy
OF the findings to the War Department, and, in
the absence OF Secretary Alger. delivered 1t
TO Acting Secretary Meklejohn. Mr.. Meiklejohn
Immediately sealed the document in an envelope
and forwarded II TO the White House, whence
1t was dispatched forthwith to the President, In
New-York. The report Is OF about thirty thou
sand words. and goes fully into the questions
which have been raised In connection with the
Army beef The text has not been made pub
lie. ard will not be until after the President
shall have read 1t. II will then rest with him
to say when the report shall be given to the
public.
The verdict however, is known to be that
the allegations which General Miles made be-
fore the War Investigating Commission are not
sustained with reference to the refrigerated
beef. although his contention that the canned
roast beef was not suitable continuous ration
is admitted. There is direct criticism Of General
Miles for failing to bring promptly to the at
tentiOn Of the War Department the reports made
to him concerning bad beef. and several ind-
vduals are censured for failing to observe the
proprieties Of their position commanding Off
GERS In this and other respects
NO CHEMICALS IN THE MEAT.
The forecast of the report as made by The
curate one. AS was then stated the court takes
the position that the testimony is conclusive
that both the refrigerated beef and the canned
beef were in good condition when delivered to
the Government and continued so until issued
to the troops except In special instances, where
the deterioration was due to accidental condi
tions in transportation to the influence Of the
tropical climate The report admits the liability
OF refrigerated beef to taint quickly after re-
moval from the ice chests. The court finds the
charges OF "embalming" the fresh beef to have
been unsubstantiated by the testimony. and
says chemicals used to preserve IT. 1t
also finds that II would have been impracticable
To secure beef on the hoof for the Cuban cam
pagn. The finding is likewise in opposition to
the assertion on the part Of General Miles that
the use of the beef experiment.
Much attention is given to the charges con-
cernng the canned roast beef. and II Is stated
that the testimony proves 1t to have been whole
some and nutritious where used in moderation
and under favorable circumstances. The posi-
tion is taken that too much Of this article OF
food was supplied to the men. and that under
the circumstances II was unpalatable and found
undesirable as a continuous ration. The fact Is
set forth that the canned roast beef had not
been used IN any apprecable extent before the
/. beginning OF this war and II is therefore
garded as q practically untried ration. In view
Of this fact the Commissary- General of Sub
slstence is roundly criticised for the purchase OF
the meat In such extensive quantities. As TO
the character Of the meat for wholesomeness
and nutrition, the reports of Professor Atwater
and Chittenden are quoted at length sustaining
the claims in this respect. The instructions Of
the President followed closely on order. and
all the points indicated by him as being those
upon which he desired that inquiry should be
made are covered
FINDINGS OF THE COURT.
Accordingly. the Court finds that the meat
not doctored; that 1t was the beef Of COM
incident to the hurried preparation for the war;
that the inspection while generally according
TO regulations was not always up to the re-
was not 10 any great degree occasioned by the
use OF either the canned the refrigerated
beef
On the other hand, II was found that General
Miles himself did not report during the war that
the beef either refrigerated canned, was un-
fit as a ration. Other officers who gave their
testimony before the Court are found also TO
have neglected what the Court conceives TO have
been their duty In this respect, and all are
blamed for this failure.
But the Court does not think further proceed
ings necessary.