New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-23
CANNED ROAST BEEF.
A PRACTICAL GAMERS OPINION OF THE
ARMY RATION-CANNING WILL NOT
RENDER PTOMAINEs HARMLESS.

ARMY RATION-CANNING WILL NOT
RENDER PTOMAINEs HARMLESS.
To the Editar Of The Tribune.
Sir: The interest which you have taken In the
subject Of Army rations. and the views expressed
In your editorials the investiga tons into the
cause OF failure 10 furnish car boys In blue az all
times with healthfu meat supplies commend
able That a condition did exist during our late
with Spain in which attempt was made 70
feed soldiers meats which would not
under any circumstances provide for ourselves II
arranging vacation in camp a cruise at
will deny. That and brothers re-
fused such rations partakng sickened
need cause no surprise.
The writer has not sampled the so-called roast
beef" Of which several millions OF pounds
purchased by some one in authority in Gov
eminent. neither Is II necessary this time, for
my intention is 70 condemn specific brands,
but rather add the testimony OF William !.
Wilson formerly OF the Wilson Packing Company.
OF Chicago, given in interview quoted IN this
mornings Tribune. Canned roast beef is a trade
lie" ne says and continues Tt is possible to can
IT, but too expensive 10 make + practicable
We must. however take issue with his state
roast beef for commercial purposes" Your CORE
spondent C" under date OF the 18th inst. In
Yesterdays Tribune states that Texas canned
yesst beeF was introduced and sold in this city
about twenty-five years ago. and that II was excel
the writer sold it to many sea captains ship
board in New-York Harbor Al the packery in
Texas where cattle az that time being slaugh-
tered for hides and tallow the best portions OF the
| carcass roasted In ovens chopped dried IN
hot-air currents and packed In tins. The several
appliances used in this process devised by the
late Professor Lyman. who made many inventions
as example the steam heater for buildings cold
| air refrigerator refrgeraung-ca for transporta-
! ton Of meats condensed milk and desccated egg
tin cans In which no solder comes in contact with
With the advanced price OF Texas cattle in the
early seventies 10 was found necessary 20 devise
methods for packing in tins at less expense and
packing Company adopted the process by which
The meat was cut from The bone and spread upon
wire shelves and was cooked In live steam such
juices. small In amount. as were drawn OUT In
/ meat each I'm receiving pEoPor.lotdlr sHdtf
This prodqct packed IN square tins was reay
the entire carcass OF healthy INT cattle was far
superior 70 such is now IN question and was
an article % real merit. in looks as well as IN
While the larger portions Of the animals slaugh-
great cities and readily sold at a price nearly
equal that OF cooked beef in tins. II is not prac-
meat Of the entire animal in tins So long as the
general public says A tin Of beef Is tin OF beef
IT, o. I 49, So tba+ tna thinner e1imaIs
are chosen in order 10 avoid superiuous fat In
At the works Of the Boston Beef Packing Company.
N Reimbursement Texas animals were only pur-
chased by the head the thin ones at price which
- ,t Grinr tanks ~ bs turned Into fertilizer
cattle section and furnishing TRANSFORMATION for
.ar pr proc ol ps mo Rostpn Reef Pack
ing Company. using the entire animal was unable
-efricerated the better portions and only used in
ferior parts or inferior animals. the nutriment OF
which now furnishes another product realizing con
Siderable value our works were closed and finally
abandoned Such is the natural result. and such
will 1t continue 70 he. so long as we say "a tin OF
beef is tin Of beef" and allow our purchasing
In the testimony given before the committee yes
terday and published In ths mornings Tribune.
It Is stated by lieutenant OF Regulars that ne
The surgeon OF a Western regiment states that
the canned roast beef issued to MS regiment was
stringy. pulpy and nauseating Much diarrhga
followed the use OF H. I think ptomaines were de-
yeloped almost immedateIy after the opening T Gt
this and other testimony there Is certainly much
food for invest!gaon II is not Impossible 10 pacs
without the aid OF chemicals II is also possible
pack In tins meat IN which decomposition has
set in 20 such extent 70 BE- very offensive 20
the smell The fact that can containing mest
contents are sound or were sweet when packed
and processed
canning process will render harmless the products
Of decomposition which may have begun In the
ntonanes have formed viii the application OF the
heat used In processing render the poison inactive
and harmless? | certainly do not believe II pos
sIbe Animal nte may be destroyed. but not the
meats IN tins so carelessly done that these most
fore the meats are cooked and sealed up
There was no necessity Of serving such a product
20 our men any more than II unavoidable 20
offer bacon from which It necessary 70 remove
mechanically the shippers before cooking Some
one or more IN authority has been guilty Of
grave offence place the responsibility where II be
longs. and mete out the punishment II the pack
ers guilty OF any crime or misdemeanor IN
filing the contracts under which these millions OF
pounds OF timed roast beef" called were
paid for they should suffer 20 the fullest extent
II Is possible to feed our men on land and on sea
plenirully and all tines 10 supply ratiOns best
adapted 70 their physical and mental well being
The people demand H. and will he satisfied with
nothing short Of this The power OF an enght-
ened press supported by popular demand. viii Sc
cure for the men behind the guns ~ this Nation
such treatment shall enable them 70 retain the
proud position which our bows have rightly earned
IN the eyes OF the civilized world We must also
be- secure from a repetition Of these scandaous
proceedings even al the sacrifice Of those pur-
chasing agents whose cry has been "a tin OF beef
Is tin Of beef and bacon s bacon"
EDWARD N. LYMAN.