The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-13
REPORT OF COMMISSION
tConcluded from Page IL

lars we're made by the quartermaster's
department during the period between
April ! and October 1, and, although
indefinite charges have from time to
time been made OF fraud and collusion,
no evidence has been produced before
the commission to substantiate these
charges, although the parties making
them have been invited to appear"
THE BEEF EPISODE.
one Of the most interesting portions
uf the report, inasmuch as 1t treats
uHon the supplies of beef, canned goods
and other food supplies furnished the
soldiers, regarding which there has
been so much public discussion, is that
relating to the subsistence department,
Brlgadier General Charles =. Eagan in
charge. This report on this depart
ment says:
THE commission has carefully inves-
tigated the subject Of the condition,
quality and quantity of the food sup
piled to the army. Almost without eX-
ception IT has been shown by the tes-
timony taken that wherever the troops
were ordered whether to the various
camps in the United States or in Porto
Rico Cuba and Manila, the rations
prescribed by law were on the trans
ports and at the camps with the sol
diers.
This commission was organized the
2lth day Of September last. Up to the
21st day Of December it's members had
taken testimony in seventeen different
towns and cities ard nine camps. 1t
had also received many hundred let
ters, communications and newspaper
clippings from persons living in all
parts Of the country. Examination of
numerous officers and enlisted men had
been made as to the quality and con-
dition of the meat issued to the troops.
The testimony with some exceptions,
showed that the refrigerated beef is
sued was pure sound and wholesome.
"On the 21su day of December last.
Major General Nelson \. Miles, upon
the written request Of the president OF
this commission, appeared before it.
He refused to he sworn, as all other
witnesses had been except one who
affirmed, stating that he would make
his statements without being sworn,
and vas responsible for what he said.
lie proceeded. and for o. first time in
the history of this investigation the
allegation was made that refrigerated
beef issued to the troops had been
chemically treated.
GENERAL, MILES STATEMENT.
In the statement, revised by himself
General Miles said:
There was sent to Porto Rico 337
tons Of what is known as so-callcd re-
frigcrated beef, which you might call
cmbalmed beef
He proceeds to read a communica-
ton from Or. w. II. DAILY, major and
chief surgeon United States volunteers.
on his staff, bearing date of Sept. II.
1898, wherein DR. DAILY stated that:
In the several inspections l made in
the various camps and troopships at
Tampa, Jacksonville, Chickamauga and
Porto Rico ] found the fresh beef to
he apparently preserved with secret
chemicals which destroy it's natural
flavor and which | also believe to be
detrimental to the health Of the troops
Although Mr.. DAILY swearS he in
formed General Miles about the first
Of August, 1898, that he suspected that
the refrigerated beef was chemically
treated, it does not appear that the
general informed you or the war de-
partment that the Office of his staff had
made this discovery, nor does it ap-
pear that he at the time ordered any
of the officers of his command to probe
TO the bottom an allegation which, if
true, concerned the health of 275, lG0
soldiers of the United States. 1t ap-
pears from the report of Mr.. DAILY
which he handed to General Miles Oct
u last, that he then specifically stated
that the refrigerated beef furnished to
the troops was apparently chemical
ly treated. 1t does not appear that
when this charge was made oct. o.
it having been already made 20 him
i'm August, 1898, that General Miles
communicated to you or the secretary
of war, or to the commissary general
the belief or suspicion entertained by
him that refrigerated meat. dangerous
TO health, was issued every day to the
troops, in failure to do which there was
dereliction ob duty. 1t is true that on
Sept 20 he had directed that an order
should be issued asking for reports rel
atlVe to meats issued, but the order
specially mentions canned fresh roast
beer and nothing else, and it was the
reports received i'm answer to this that
were presented in abstract bv tho
general at the time of his appearance
before the commission and since.
DIR. DAILY ON TRIAL.
IN his report DR.. Daily does not
make the all important statement that
n' had already chemically analyzod
any meat, although he suggests that
Such analysis should be made. He
does state that in several inspections
made by him at Tampa, Jacksonville
''hickamauga and Porto Rico, lac
found the fresh beef to be apparently
preserved with secret chemicals He
says that at Porto Rico the beef he eX.
amined was also Of the same charac.
ter, being apparently preserved by in.
jected chemicals
For months, as it appears, DR.
DAILY concealed the knowledge of tn,
commission of a crime affecting meI
under his charge, whom, as an office
and physician, he was bound to pro
tect,"
THE commission has not confined
itself to merely verbal or writer
proof. Immediately upon hearing th
testimony of DR.. DAILY on the Goth o
January kilograms were sent to al
issuing commissaries in Cuba, Port