The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-02-18
Embalmed Beef Board to Make
Thorough Investigation.
SEARCH FOR TESTIMONY
MANY REGIMENTAL COMMAND
ERS TO BE CALLED.
Taking of Testimony Will Commence
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to Be
Limited to Refrigerated and
Roast Beef-Court May Visit the
Packing establishments.

Washington, Feb. I7.-The court of
inquiry TO investigate the allegations Of
the major general of the army in re-
spect to the quality of beef furnished
the army during the war with Spain
met today at the rooms formerly occu-
pied by the war investigation commits
sion, in the Lemon building. A full
membership was present, and the court
went into secret session 20 discuss the
preliminaries of the proceedings and to
endeavor to map out the line of inquiry
to be pursued.
This afternoon Colonel Davis, the re-
corder, gave out a statement as to the
court and its work. Today and tomor-
row, he said, 1t will be occupied with
an examination of reports of regimental
commanders who participated in the
Cuban and Porto Rican campaigns, the
object being to select witnesses TO be
summoned. In addition TO these reports,
the proceedings of the war inquiry COM
mission will be looked to for sugSes-
tions of witnesses. The taking of teS-
timony will hardly begin before Mon
day.
General Miles is expected to testify
first, presenting his charges and their
foundations. The investigation will be
limited strictly TO canned roast beef
and refrigerated beef, but the scope of
the inquiry will be so comprehensive
as to follow the beef from packer to
private soldier, so that the action of the
packers and all war department Off
Gals connected with the beef supply
will be investigated. Colonel Davis said
the inquiry would continue indefinitely.
Speaking further of the investiga-
ton and probable testimony, Colonel
Davis said the court was not limited in
its sitting to Washington. but under
the order converting it, could travel
from place to place. This statement is
considered significant, for while the
court has announced no determination
to go elsewhee, there is a possibility
that it will visit the Chicago and South
Omaha packing houses, where the beef
in question is prepared. The list of
witnesses will include many civilians,
as we'll as army officers. Suggestions
as TO witnesses from any quarter, Col
onel Davis said, would be considered,
and all will be summoned who might
seem likely To throw any light upon
the controversy.
1t was learned this afternoon that the
court has practically determined to
visit the packing houses in western cit
les from which beef was furnished. The
pilgrimage will take in Chicago, South
Omaha, Kansas City and perhaps St.
Louisa Some of the officers whose re-
ports General Miles has placed with
the court are now in the Philippines,
Their testimony viii not be sought. OF
course, they could not be ordered here,
and the taking Of their dispositions
would be attended with too much delay
and inconvenience. 1t was pointed out
by a member of the court that their
testimony would be cumulative, and
therefore really unnecessary. since it
would be in accord generally with what
would come from officers who are ac-
cessible. The dispositions of a number
Of officers now in Cuba will he taken.
The court will meet at 1880 tomorrow
morning and resume behind closed
doors the work Of mapping out the plan
of procedure and preparing a list of
witnesses to be summoned.