The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-15

table. That condition continued to increase
until our arrival I'm New York. when he re-
ported 10 mo that the beef was so bad
that he did net think IL advisable 10 attempt
to use Il anymore SO We took on fresh
What was done with the Manitoba
beef"
Il reported its condition to the depot COM
misSary. Colonel Woodruff, and a board OF
survey was subsequently appointed. There
was some argument about the ownership OF
the meat but the board proceeded in the
regular way and made its report. applied
ings, and he told me that the proceedings
had been stopped. But i obtained a copy
and learned from it that the beef had been
condemned and ordered disposed Of. In
about ten days a lighter came alongside the
ship and took the beef away: i received a
VINO. understood, was a representative OF
Swift & Co, 10 deliver it to the lighter"
HAD "WHISKERS'' ON 1T.
Witness stated that the chief engineer on
the Manitoba. who was familiar with the
handling Of this meat. had superintendent
the loading at Newport News and expressed
himself satisfied as TO the way in which the
transfer was made. The temperature at
Newport News was % degrees, but the re-
frigerator cars were run down TO a covered
she'd where the cars were opened and the
beef Immediately taken aboard the ship.
The temperature in the refrgerating rooms
on board ship was. al times, only "a de-
g-ses. and the engineer was alarmed be-
cause he could not get the temperature
down to 80 degrees. but he finally succeeded.
The beef. when IL came aboard, was exam
med by the witness. IL was inclosed in
cheese-clOth sacks and seemed to be in
prime condition When taken off at New
York 1t had 'whiskers" on twas moldy
on the outside The board of survey had
several quarters examined and the beef in
side was perfectly good; but the board felt
that as there was so much mold on the out
side the beef was bad. and that II would be
unsafe 10 issue il to the troops.
Did you ever have any occasion 10 sus-
pect that the beef had been treated with a
preservat.veT
Did anything Of that kind come to your
knowledge in conversation
In cross-examination Major Lee drew out
that when General Gilmore looked up smil-
ing" at Ponce, he said: Throw it over
board. that will tighten you up SO much
and possibly enable you TO get off the reef -
The witness stated that he did not consid-
eT the remark Of General Gilmore as wish
10 destroy the property The witness said he
times and even after the ship was off the
reef in the office of the depot commissary,
trying to make some disposition of the
stores. Captain Pomeroy, who was acting
as depot commissary several days after his
arrival at Ponce. said TO him: I'VE have adj
vertised for bids for fresh beef" Witness
could not make use of the beef on board the
ship Receiving an indefinite reply he went
TO General Gilmore, and again brought up
the question OF the refrigerator beef aboard
the Manitoba. General Gilmore replied: I'VE
do not need IL.
The witness did not know whether notice
had been sent that the troops were to be
supplied with the Manitoba beef. There was
only one small ice plant at Ponce, with a
capacity OF four tons day. and the hospi-
tai took all the ice. He was in the harbor
for three weeks without issuing any beef.
He did not think the beef would keep very
long in that country. Judging from his ex-
more than six or seven hours after leaving
the refrigerator. He understood that the
meat sent TO the Sixth Illinois. and which
spoiled, was taken in an open wagon
Mr.. SWIFTS TESTIMONY.
The recorder then called Gustavus F.
Swift president of Swift & Co. He testified
TO two contracts entered into between his
company and the United States government
with reference TO supplying of refrigerated
beef to the troops in Cuba and Porto Rico.
by whom were those contracts made on
the part OF the United States?" asked Col.
Davis.
by General Eagan. Advertisements were
issued and proposals received in the usual
form We agreed to be responsible for the
beef keeping twenty-fOur hours from issue
and il in refrigerating house. seventy,two
hours from the steamer issue. / said there
would be reasonable protection, as for any
other commodity. When we deal in beef We
deal in a perishable article. 1t certainly
should be protected from the tropical sun"
I'm the preparation of the refrigerated
beef, what agent do you rely upon as pre-
servative?'
Refrigerated air; nothing else"
Have you used at any time in connec-
ton with the preservation OF refrigerated
beef any chemical preservative of any
kind?
mo, SIR
Crosz-evauined nv Major Ice witness
said: IT asked my brother in Boston, E. c.
Swift to go TO Washington and agree with
General Pagan on the terms Of the con-
tract. 1t was finally agreed upon between