New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-18
THE BEEF INVESTIGATION.
TAKING OF TESTIMONY NOT YET
FINISHED.
WESTON HEARD AGAIN-AN INsPEC-
n,.rr- nv rr1u,

-
WESTON HEARD AGAIN-AN INsPEC-
T1oN MADE BY THE COURT.
Washington. April i7.-The Beef Court Of In
ouiry spent the forenoon in inspecting a miscel-
laneous collection Of canned roast beef which had
been accumulated at the Washington Barracks
from various points In Cuba and Porto Rico.
Among other brands the white-labelled red
can about which there has been much conflicting
testimony. All the OF this brand that
opened found TO be good The members
sampled a number of cans and said that they had
been glad TO get anything as good while in Indian
campaigns in the West. OF the $50 cans six
found to be defective from rust nailholes rough
handling They were opened and found spoiled.
number OF the uninjured were opened, and
ell were found sweet The fat and tallow had been
melted by the tropical heat and brought TO the
surface where 1t had hardened into white cake
on coming back TO a cold climate.
In the afternoon Professor Atwater was recalled.
Replying to a question from Colonel Davis. he said
that the ordinary chemical analysis does not re-
veal the presence of many materials which might
be Objectionable. The principal articles extracted
and lost in parboiling beef for canning were the
meat bases and the mineral salts. but the meat
bases were not tissue-buiders. and therefore not
essential. He expressed the opinion unreservedy
that the canned beef boiled and not roasted,
but did not think the boiling process impaired
the digestibity
Replying to questions from Major Lee. Professor
Atwater said that the conditions under which the
Young men on whom he had experimental with
canned beef had been placed naturally were diff
ferent from those of soldiers in the field Their
diet though limited more varied than that OF
soldiers. Still, each OF the men had experiences
which were more or less disagreeable when eating
the meat Asked what would be his conclusion
n he had known of an instance in which canned
meat had been supplied 10 men and % per cent
of them had refused to eat II when hungry, Pro-
fessor Atwater replied promptly that he would
TRY TO get some other food" He expressed the
opinion in a written addition to his report which
greater amount of nutrition than the fresh peef.
fresh, dried or corned beef would probably be
preferable. This was not Intended 10 dlsparage
the canned beef as consttuent OF a mixed uet,
and his observation now would not prevent ms
personal use of canned meats If wholesome and
nutritious and of agreeable favor.
Captain Pomercy was recalled to correct the I'M
preston that there question of veracity
between him and Colonel A. L, Smith in regard 70
the latters statement 70 nm m fohSe e
notes with Colonel Smith since both nao gwen
their testimony. and that the latter had told him
that he referred TO Dold's prepared beef. ,
Colonel J. +. Weston was also recalled he SAID
that before the beginning of the war he had rec
commended the purchase OF canned roast Deei ve eor
etables anc condiments would be used with it. he
had thought It would be well to put potato ana
an onion in each can He had been compeIieo 70
throw overheard one hundred and fifty thousand
pounds Of vegetables. Tomatoes. however. were
landed soon after the Army at SANTIAGO and po-
roast beef landed. but the beef packages were
heater and the packers 1 Shore 90 San could
be forwarded. and for this reason II the ARM mao
been much further inland 1t would nave been COM
The Examination of Colonel Weston was not fin
ished when the court adjourned for the day.