Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-18
EMBALMED BEEF COURT
Full Membership Present at First
Session.
Taking of Testimony Will Bc.in Non.
dny md Enbrncc Large Numbers
of witnesses. Military nnd civil
Mny Visit Pncking Houses.
(By Telegraph to virginian-pnot)

Washington, d. c., Feb. 1.-THE
court of inquiry to investigate the al
legations of the major general of the
army in respect to the quality of the
beef furnished the army during the war
with Spain. met to-day at the rooms
formerly occupied by the War InVesti-
eating Commission, in the Lemon
building. y full membership was pres
ent and the court went into secret
session to discuss the prclimnarics of
the proceedings, and to endcavor to
sketch out the line of inquiry to be
pursued.
At i o'clock Colonel Davis, the re-
corder, gave out statement rs 10 the
court and it's work. To-day and pro-
badly all OF tomorrow, he said will
be occupied With an examination of re-
ports of rcgmcntal and other COM
manders who participated in tho Cuban
ana Porto Rico campaigns. the object
being to select witnesses 10 be sum
-nlnnnl
In addition to these reports the pro-
ccedinSs of the War INVESTIGATING
Commission will be looked to for sug-
Sestions of witnesses.
TAKING OF TESTIMONY.
The taking of testimony hardly will
begin before Monday. The sessions
then Will be open. General Miles is ex-
pected To testify first. presenting his
charges and their foundations The in
NeStigation Will be limited strictly to
canned roast beef ana refrigerated beef
nut the scope of the inquiry will be so
comprehensive rs to follow the beer
from packer In private soldier. so that
The action of the packers and all WAR
department officials connected with tn Is
beef supply will be investigated Colo
mel Davis said the inquiry would con
tinue Indefinitely and he could give no
iceA as To the time Of its termination
MAY VISIT PACKING HOUSES.
Speaking further of the investigation
and probable testimony. Colonel Davis
said the court was not limited in its
sttings to Washington. but under the
order converting it could travel from
place to place. This statement is con
sidered significant for. while the cour.
has announced 40 determination to 20
elsewhere. there is possibility that il
will visit the Chicago ami South Omaha
packing houses. where the beef In ques-
ton was prepared.
LIST OF WITNESSES.
The list of Witnesses will include
many civilians, as we'll as army OH
CTS. suggest ions as 10 Witnesses from
any quarter. Colonel Davis said. would
be considered and all would be sum.
moned who it might seem likely would
throw any light upon the controversy.
Some of the officers whose reDorts
General Miles has placed with the court
are now in the Philippines Their tes-
tmony Will not be sought 1t was
pointed out by member OF the court
that their testimony would be cumu-
lative and, therefore. really unneccs-
sary. since it would be in accord gene
rally with what would come from OIL
GERS who are accessible. The deposit
tons of a number of officers now in
Cuba will be taken.
The court Will meet at 1880 to-mor-
row morning and resume. behind closed
doors. the work of mapping out the
plan of procedure and preparing the
list of witnesses TO be summoned.
y CHEMICAL TEST.
Chicago. H. February l7.-Samples
of the canned beef American soldiers in
Porto Rico and Cuba said was unfit