The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-27
NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR
LOSS OF BEEF on THE MANITOBA.
Finding of the Army Board of Survey
Miles at the White House.

NAAOAA anu lAi4l Ill COAAOAllOll
after the release of the Manitoba from the
reef on Aug. IA, 1898, although there is rea-
son to believe that the refrigeration was
not satisfactory during that interval.
That Notwithstanding the time and labor
involved in unloading troops and animals
from the Manitoba and in cleaning the ship,
up to and including Aug. 10. 1885. due and
proper effort was not made 10 issue this beef
10 the accessible troops between that date
and Aug. %, 1895, the date of the departure
or the Manitoba from Mayaguez-
That this lack OF effort was IN the nature
OF an acquiescence in the arrangement al
ready locally sanctioned for the purchase
OF native beef, but lay primarily in the lack
or controlling authority and d responsible
head OF the subsistence department in Ponce
under the dlfncultleS attending a new mill
tdry situation.
THAT both at Mayaguez Aug. % to 81 and
at Ponce between the date of the return
OF the Manitoba Aug. 81 TO her departure for
New York Sept. Z proper effort was made
for the issue of this beef, and the meat was,
IN the opinion of the board. still tit for
issue.
That the meat had not been subjected
TO any chemical process Whatever for Its
preservation.
That the loss of this beef was due to
several causes: Possible deterioration while
the refrlgerating plant was interrupted or
disturbed Aug. 70 to Aug. IA; exposure to
high temperature from the time of leaving
the transport 10 date of issue at Mayaguez
and after; improper handling and faulty
protection after issue; deficient transporta-
ton TO troops; prejudice against Its APP
pearance under unfamiliar conditions and
Qeldy. "A month elapsed since the DeSI was
dressed before it reached Mayaguez, when
for the first time issues were made, each
day adding to the difficulties.
Finally the distribution to the troops was
such that under the circumstances great
loss was inevitable in the absence of any
refrigerator ports OF entry.
"That the United States is responsible for
the loss. The board is aware of an aver
age wastage in refrigerated beef-a loss
properly c~hargeable 10 the contradiction
the board is unwilling 10 fix an arbitrary
figure for such a shipment as that of the
Manitoba, handled under the adverse cir
cumstanceS existing as established by the
testimony and by the absence of reliable
data.
That Swift G. Co. be reimbursed for the
The board CONSTITUTES the time limit in
the contract with Swift & Co. TO mean that
the beef should remain sound for twenty
missary if properly protected, the seventy
two-hour clause referring to intermediate
storage in land refrigerators."
Secretary Alger has approved the find
ings and directed that the payment be made
TO Swift & Co. in accordance with the re-
port. Nothing has been determined as TO
whether or not a board of inquiry will be
ordered to make a further investigation.
The board which has just reported was a
The Wade court of inquiry continued the
preparation or Its report to-day, and when
adjournment was had comparatively little
work on Ii remained to be done. The diff
ferent members of the court have made
separate investigations of the testimony
anu llty were lO-udy engaged III comparing
notes. They find that about two hundred
witnesses were examined during the inves-
tigation. The testimony covers 5000 pages
of typewriter matter. The report. there
fore. will be of considerable length. There
has been no recent change in the conclusion
OF the members OF the court. The report
will unanimously sustain the administra-
ton.
The State Department has withdrawn any
objection it may have entertained to the
dispatch of Spanish troops from the Philip
pine islands TO the Carolines. Pending the
exchange of notifications of the peace treaty
1t was held that under the terms Of the
protocol there could be no movement of
troops in the direction of strengthening gar
risons or In any other manner changing the
military situation. The only exception was
the repatriation OF the Spanish troops in
Cuba and the Philippines. Nearly all Span
ish troops who surrendered at Manila have
gone home and only a few remain 10 garri-
son some ports on the islands. The report
from Madrid that General Otis has requested
the Spanish garrison at Zamboanga, Island
Of Mindanoa, be held in that place until
an American garrison can be sent to relieve
them is confirmed here. Had a similar ar
rangement been made as to Iloilo much
trouble and bloodshed would have been
averted.
President Mckinley has almost completely
recovered from his attack of neuralgia and
this morning he took a half hours walk on
L GuIlSN4NdHId avenue. IL WdS uildCCOIu-
panied. He walked leisurely. and upon his
return to the White House felt much re-
fresled. There is no change in his plan to
attend the unwilling Of the Grant monu-
ment at Philadelphia tomorrow, but on ac-
count Of the fact that he must bear the
strain of the journey and attendance upon
the exercises and functions which have been
arranged for in Philadelphia he decided not
to receive general visitors to-day. Only
Cabinet officers or those who had urgent
business with the President were admitted.
Secretary of War Alger and Major Cen
eral Miles both saw the President to-day.
They arrived at the White House within a
few minutes of each other, but did not see
the President together. Secretary Alger was
already with the President when General
Miles arrived, and the latter waited fifteen
minutes until Secretary Alger emerged from
the Presidents private room. He was then
admitted and remained with the President
for ten minutes. When he left the White
House he declined absolutely TO discuss the
object of his visit. This is the first time
General Miles has called on the President in
six weeks. 1t was learned this evening that
his visit to-day was for the purpose OF con-
sulting the President concerning the ap-
pointuent of the generals son as a member
of the next years class at West Point.
To-day's statement of the condition Of the
treasury shows: Available cash balance,
s2S 1885 gold reserve, s24,l6S2SS
The cruiser Marblehead has sailed from
San Lucia for Barbados. en- route TO the
Pacific station.
The Treasury Department has decided not
10 take an appeal from the decision OF the
board Of general appraisers holding that
synthetic or artificial indigo made from coal
tar is free of duty as indigo under Para
graph $50 of the tariff act OF 1881.
John Addison Porter, secretary to the
President. who has been i'll for some weeks,
was able TO take a drive to-day. He went
TO the White HOUSE and saw the President
for a few minutes in the private apart
mentS down stairs. Mr.. Porter is still very
weak and did not feel able 10 ascend TO the
Presidents office. Mr.. Porter subsequently
left for Atlantic City. He was accompanied
by Mrs. Porter. The length of their stay is
indefinite.
The monthly summary of imports OF mer-
chandise of the United States issued by the
Bureau of Statistics shows imports during
March. 1889. as follows: Articles Of food
and live animals, So, S37. $50. an increase as
compared with March. 1895, OF about $780,
90: articles in a crude condition for do
nestle industry. So, Gas. 400. an increase OF
$5,50O,D0; articles manufactured for me-
chanic arts. S.SO6.313. a decrease of 81. 100, 00o:
for consumption, -, 1851, 2i9, an increase OF
81, 10000. articles OF voluntary use, luxurieS,
etc, -, 6sS an increase OF 10000; total
imports of merchandise during March, $72,-
So6, 066. an increase OF 81, 10000: total for
nine months ending March 81 1893, $5O.G27.-
$50. an increase of Ni. O.oo. Out of the to-