The times., 1899-03-22
CANNED BEEF UNFIT
FOR SOLDIERS FOOD
Fresh Evidence Before the
Army Board.
DIR. Sem Testifies That Timed Meat
Sickened the Troops.
Today the Court VIII Examine TIVE
OF the Chicngo Packers he
liable Agents.

Chicago. March 2l.-Dr. Nicholas Sem
was the principal witness before the Beef
Enquiry Board this evening. The session
lasted only half an hour. The only other
witness was Lieutenant Colonel Corliss.
u. 5. A.. who was wounded in both shoul
ders in the battle of Santiago. Lieutenant
Colonel Corliss said that he did not per-
sonaily know much about canned beef.
having been In the hospital considerable
portion OF the time while he was in Cuba,
but he could speak OF others experience
as detailed TO him. From what he had
heard from those about him the eating
of the canned roast beef had caused sick
ness generally in the way OF bowel COM
plants The soldiers did eat IL. but they
did It at the protest OF the stomach.
Asked TO state his observations in regard
10 the food supply OF the army. Dr. Sem
said:
My observations were largely limited to
my service in Cuba. where we lived largely
on canned roast beef and bacon. l had
every reason 10 believe that the beef was
not roasted, but had been boiled. IL was
tssteless and certainly seemed to lack nu-
tritiols qualities, as was apparent from
she condition Of the men that returned
from Cuba to Montauk. who had never been
i'll. but were greatly emaciated. l judged
from the condition OF the men that the
rations furnished lacked the proper amount
OF nutrition j should say the beef fur
nished as roasted beef was boiled beef.
II was tasteless." DR.. Sem also declared
that in his opinion a great part of the
nutriment of the canned beef passed into
the water in which it was boiled.
In connection with your long expert
ence' asked Major Lee, did you observe
the constituents of the canned roast beef.
as to whether there were different grades
or whether they were all the sane?"
THE beef that was furnished me seemed
to be about alike Whose brand IL was l
do not remember. Wat struck me was
the tastelessness of the meat
Did you have occasion 10 observe any
thing as to the constituents or the parts
OF material that entered 'l.to the earned
roast beef?"
Well. the meat was evidently good
meat. i think that the meat was of good
quality. but not a proper preparation. II
was cooked too long
within your experience a"d observa-
tion from the beginning to fac close, did
you consider that ne canned roast beef
contributed in any way TO the disability
or diseased condition of the mem"
Il have no doubt at all that if they had
been furnished fresh beef their condition
would have been better"
In regard to this canned roast beef. So
called, will ask you whether you consider
that /; was proper ration to furnish the
soldiers of the American army"
.'No: ! think not Perhaps the msn
could be fed once or twice week on that
kind of beef without any i'll effects on their
health bat certainly as a daily ration
should not consider it for any length OF
time"
The board then adjourned till 10 O'Clock
tomorrow. Among the witnesses will be
number of officers and priyates from
Fort Sheridan. Manager Arthur Meeker.
of Armour & Co., who was the agent at
Lakeland TO give out the beef said to have
been '-embalrned," and Agent Sweet. of the
same firm.