New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-27
SECRET1 RY ALGER HEARD.
A WITNESS BEFORE THE WAR INvEsTI-
eating COMMISSION.
CONDUCT OF THE DEPARTMENT DEFENDED
SOME MISTAKES THAT WERE UNA
vOIDApIE-NO COMPLAINTS RE-
GARDING BEEF RECEIVED.

SOME MlSTAhES ina Ni''>H '''@~
voIDABLE-NO COMPLAINTS RE-
GARDING BEEF RECEIVED.
wosbjnrton. lar. o6-Secretary Ager. In re-
| snonse TO nm invitation OF the War Investigat-
ing Commission. appeared before that body TO-
! dav The Secretary sworn by General VII
! son. after which ex Governor Beaver, after ask
ing permission TO use the title General In
stead Of Mr. Secretary" began the examina-
ton of the head of the War Department
Secretary Alger in beginning said that he had
bsen on duty at the War Department constant
| ~ during and after 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. II he thought
proper could break this rule.
| When asked in regard to expenditure by the
Department of the war fund. the Secretary re-
piled that the larger part of 1t had been devoted
to strengthening coast defences In anticipa-
| ton OF such an inquiry. he had brought WIN
him memoranda prepared by heads OF bureaus
giving details Of the expenditure of this fund
FULL REPORTS FROM THE BUREAUS.
During the continuance Of the war he had
been kept constantly advised Of all actions taken
| by the several bureaus. The chiefs OF bureaus
often reported to him several times day. II
/
In regard to departmental work, the head OF one
| of the bureaus was to blame II any report
| originating outside If the Department came to
| him. he investigated 1t at once.
During the early days Of the war, with large
| body TO provide for some defects were appar-
| emit 1t not because Of a lack Of funds, but
| because n impossible to handle properly
| so large n body Of men on short notice. He did
not recall having received during the war COM
| plants in regard 10 foods furnished IN the
| Army There was shortage Of food at Santi-
| neo. not because there were no supplies. but be-
| cause they could not be landed from the ships
| No old soldier, he believed would make harsh
| criticisms Of the food furnished 10 the Army
| under the circumstances He had never had
any cause during the war for complaint Of any
| officer.
Was the head Of any bureau guilty Of failure
to discharge rs duty during the continuance OF
the war;" asked Ex-Governor Beaver.
no, sir" replied Secretary Alger.
did anv report come to you Of any irregu-
larity or OF any fraudulent practices In the CON
tracing for supplies furnished to any depart
ment?"
mo. sir"
THERE WAS NO CORRUPTION.
did you directly or indirectly have any inter-
est In the selection OF any OF the camps occu-
pied by any of the troops"
NO. sir never had any interest in any
camp. I do not know that any one connected
with me had any such interest"
Did you have any interest in any contract
for materials supplied during the war;
Not to cent in any contract" replied the
Secretary emphatcally.
Does that apply TO transports purcha ?"
Eyes sir"
The Secretary went 10 say that he had
never had any personal interest In the ex-
penditure Of Government funds, directly or in
directly.
No contracts for equipment were entered into
prior 20 the declaration OF war.
Have you received any complaint from the
MaJor-General OF the Army while at Porto Rico
as t the quality OF refrigerated and canned
roast beef furnished the Army
The Secretary, replying. referred to his an
nual report quoting a dispatch from General
Miles asking that no more beef be sent. because
they could get large supply there. General
Miles had said something about beef that had
spoiled there
Ex-Governor Beaver asked whether actual
preparation for war was not made before the
beginning OF hostilities. because it was thought
IL would he averted. No reply. however was
expected If the question not deemed by the
Secretary a proper one. The witness replied
that there had been hopes that war would be
averted.
The chiefs Of the bureaus OF the Department
had never assembled 10 hold a council OF war
They were all too busy. In regard to the In
spector Generals office, the Secretary did not
consider that the bureau had been practically
abolished by the transfer OF officers to other
duty He believed that IL retained its efficiency
Secretary Alger next told Of the inspection OF
camps especially the tour or Inspection by Gen
era Miles He never had received any official
complaint from the armies in the field in regard
10 fresh or canned meat furnished 10 the troops.
NO OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS OF BEEF.
Have you any information that meat was
chemically treatedT
Nothing but what has been brought out by
this Commission"
Beef. he went on, has been used as an Army
ration for many years, and its use was not an
experiment in the Spanish war. No complaints
had been received by him from the camps in
regard 20 beef. When asked whether he was
personally interested in contracts for furnishing
meat. the Secretary said with positiveness:
Il have not; ! never had, directly or Indirect
ly. interest In anything supplied TO this Govern
ment."
He had never received an official report that
beef furnished 10 the Army had caused sickness.
He had received reports from several sources
that at Chickamauga and Camp Thomas there
had been lack Of medicines and supplies. The
rcports were investigated and supplies ordered
at once He had never received a report from
tho SUPERINTENDENT that he was unable to fur
nish supplies. In regard 10 the arrival OF the
Fifth Corps at Montauk he said that every pos
sible precaution had been taken 90 make the
camp healthfu and comfortable. There had
been many deficiencies that It was impossible to
remedy. but everything that could be done had
been done.
This closed the examination, and Secretary
Alger was asked whether he wished TO volunteer
any statements. but he declined to do so.
: