The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-02


thought it probable that some intestinal
troubles had been thus caused. The sur
geons complained especially of the lack OF
proper food for the sick. He had heard in
New York that many of the men had re-
fused to receive the canned beef, but he
had attributed the inanition manifested to
the sickness itself.
Warning Against the Beef
Greenleaf w. Simpson, of Boston,
the block in Cuba, and who is largely in
terested in live cattle stock yards and re-
frigerator lines, related his experience in
connection with the letting of contracts
for supplying beef during the Spanish war.
He had been prepared to put in bid, and
previous to the opening of the bids had
conference with General Eagan, who was
his personal acquaintance. and who had
wired for him to come to Washington on
the Sth of January. Mr.. Simpson said he
had, in 1897, visited Cuba as food COM
missioner for the United States for the
purpose of investigating the supply of cat
tie in that country. He had informed the
general that he considered it impossible to
use refrigerated beef in Cuba, explaining
the conditions and difficulties, and after the
first conversation General Eagan had asked
him to remain over another day. The next
morning when he called the general had
told him thathe must purchase refrigerator
beef for Cuba, but he did not indicate that
this position was taken at the instance of
any superior official. He (Mr. Simpson,
had not therefore put in a bid. He also
stated that he had more or less talk with
General Eagan, and with the agent of Ar
mour and company concerning the use of
personalities. This question was discussed
in a general way with Mr.. Eagan. who told
MIN that some Investigations were being
made in the south in that direction He
mad inferred that the experiment was made
DUN III the interest of the government and
the packers.
Mr. Simpson said that since that time he
had made bid which had been accepted
Tor supplying beef on the block to the in
lahd points in Cuba, and that he was now
engaged satisfactorily in that work. Sc
curing his cattle from Texas, the United
states of Colombia and Venezuela He al
SO stated that he had had considerable ex-
perlence in shipping beef abroad and that
refrigerated beef generally brought about
TWO cents per pound less IN the London
market than the beef from the live cattle
shipped over.
Meat Would Soon Mould
The witness did not believe it possible to
Keep beef in good condition out of a re-
1rlgerator for twentyfour hours. 1t would
change in appearance in two hours and
mould soon afterwards. He thought the
proper way to supply the troops in Cuba
was to have refrigerator plants on the
island and kill the beef there each day.
Lieutenant VIM. b. Conrad, of the Twen-
ty-third infantry, who had charge of the
cooking for the mess on the transport In
diana, said the refrigerator beef had kept
good for about two weeks, but that after
this time 1t became so badly tainted that
many of the men would not use it. A num-
Der of them also objected to the canned
roast beef. The Indiana carried fresh food
supplies for Admiral SIMPSONS fleet, but
much of them were spoiled by the beef
The OdOr from the hold W. like
a horse that had been dead for week or
two and was SO strong that the men would
get out of the way when the door was
opened. Eight thousand pounds were
thrown overheard, but the remainder was
issued to the fleet, though considerable of
1t was tainted.
Native Beef Was Tough
Thomas B. Hendrix, at Lakeland, Fla,
who delivered the refrigerated meat to the
commissary officers there in July and Au-
gust, delivered it in better condition than
the beef generally received by local troops.
At times the meat was stringy but 1t was
sound. Some of the troops perferred the
refrigerator beef to the native beef be-
cause the latter was tough.
Major William Williams, of the New
York state troops who was commssary at
Ponce, said he was familiar with the dis
tribution of the beef from the transport
Manitoba and that he had understood that
the beef was perfectly good. He had found
the canned beef tasteless but wholesome
Lieutenant CAMPER was then recalled to
relate the particulars of his meeting with
Mr.. Hendrix, who had just testified.
Mr.. Center said he had recognized Mr.
Moorehouse whom ne had met upon leav-
ing the witness stand few days since as
the man who had stated in Lakeland that
chemicals were used to preserve the meat
He approached and spoke to Mr.. Moore
house, but the latter declared that he had
no recollection of ever having seen him
before. The court then adjourned until
1890 Monday morning.