Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-27


tary Alger. in response to an invita-
ton of the War Investigating Commits
sion. appeared before that body to-day
The Secretary WAS sworn by General
Wilson. after which Governor Beaver
after asking permission To use the title
General" instead of Mr., Secretary"
began the examination of the head OF
the War Department.
EXPLANATION IN DETAIL.
Secretary Alyer in beginning stated
that he had been on duty at the War
Department constantly during the war
and after 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 expenditures
by the department of the war fund. the
Secretary replied that the larger part
had been devoted to streng ,hening
coast dcfences.
During the continuance of the war he
had been kept constantly advised of all
actions taken by the several bureaus.
II he had not been advised of any inn
portant fact in regard to departmental
work the head OF one of the bureaus
was 10 Diane.
If any report originating outside of
the department came to him he inves-
tigatcd it at once.
NO COMPLAINTS OF FOOD.
During the early days of the war.
with n large body TO provide for. some
defects were apparent Ii was not be-
cause of lack of funds. but because
it was impossible To handle properly
SO large q body of men on 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 he
landed froni-thc ships. No old soldier.
said the Secretary, he believed would
mako harsh criticism of the food fur
nished the army under the circum
stances. He had never had any cause
during the war for complaint of any
officer
MANY EMPHATIC NEGATIVES.
WAS the head of any bureau guilty
of failure TO discharge his duty dur
ing the continuance of the war;" asked
Governor Beaver.
No. sir" replied Secretary Alger
Did any report come 10 you of any
irreGularty or of any fraudulent prac-
ticcs III the contracting for supplies fur
mo sir"
Did YOU directly or indirectly have
any interest in the selection of any of
the camps occupied by any of the
| troops?"
mo. sir never had any interest in
any camp. l 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 ware"
Not II cent in any contract" replied
the Secretary emphatically.
Docs that apply to transports pur-
chased?"
Yes. sir"
The Secretary went on to state that
he had never had any personal inter
est in the expenditure of Government
funds. directly or Indirectly. No con
tracts for equipment We're entered into
prior to the declaration of war
WHAT GEN. MILES SAID.
"Have you received any complaint
from the major general of the army
while at Porto Rico as to the quality of
the refrigerated and canned roast beef
furnished the army?'
The Secretary reDlying referred 70
his annual report, quoting Il dispatch
from General Miles, asking that no
more beef be sent, because they could
get large supply there. General Miles
Iiu SHlu SOmplnlDT about beef
had spoiled there.
Governor Beaver asked whether ac-
tual preparation for war was not made
before the declaration of war because
1t was thought it would be averted. M
reply. however. was expected if the
question was not deemed by the Secrc-
tary a proper one.
The witness replied that there had
been hopes that war would be avert
ed.
INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE.
The chiefs of the several bureaus of
the department had never assembled To
hold a council of war. They were al!
too busy. In regard to the inspector
generals office the Secretary did maj
consider that the bureau had been prac-
tlcaily abolished by the transfer of
officers TO other duty. He believed that
1t retained it's efficiency.
Secretary Alger next told OF the in
spection OF camps. especially the tour
OF inspection by General Miles
lie (AlgeT never had received any
oilciai complaint from the armies in
the field in regard To- fresh or canned
meat furnished the troops.
BEEF NOT AN EXPERIMENT.
Have you any information that meat
was chemical treated?"
Nothing but what has been brought
out by this commission. Beef" he went
on. has been used rs 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 IN beef
When asked whether lie was person
ally interested in contracts for furnish
ing meat. The Secretary said with pos
itiveness:
II am not; ! never had directly or
indirectly. interest in any property. in
ANYTHING supplied to this Government.''
He had never received an Official re-