The Penn's Grove record., 1899-02-03
GEN. ALGHR'S TESTIMONY.
He Appears Before the War lnvesti-
eating Commission.
DEFENDS HIS ADMINISTRATION.

The Secretary of War Testihes That He
Was Never Interested In Nor ProHted
by Contracts-No Complaints Regard
ing Food From the Army Itself-pe-
clIned to Issue a Statement.
WASHINGTON, D. O. (Special).-secretary
Aiger, in response to an invitation OF the
War Investigating Commission, appeared
before that body on Thursday. The secre-
tary was sworn by General Wilson.
During the continuance OF the war, said
Secretary Alger, he had been Kept con
stantly advised Of all actions taken by the
several bureaus. The chiefs of bureaus
often reported to him several times a day.
II he had not been advised of any impor-
tant fact in regard to departmental work
the head of one of the bureaus was to
blame.
"Was the head Of any bureau guilty of
failure to discharge his duty during the
continuance OF the war;" asked Governor
Beaver.
"No, sir," replied Secretary Aleer.
Did any report como to you OF any IT.
regularity or of any fraudulent practices
In the contracting for supplies furnished to
any Department."
mo, slr."
"Dld you directly or indirectly have any
interest in the selection of any of the
camps occupied by any of the troops?"
"No, sir. l never had any interest In any
camp. lido not know that any one con-
neated with me had any such interest"
"Have you received any complaint from
the Maior-General of the Army while at
Porto Rico as to the quality ofrefrigerated
and canned roast beef furnished the
army2" .
The Secretary replying, referred to his
annual report. quoting Il dispatch from
General Miles asking that no more beef be
sent because he could get a large supply
there. General Miles had said something
about beef that had spoiled there.
Secretary Alger next told of the inspec-
ton Of camps, especially the tour OF in
s~pection by General Miles.
He (Alger) never had received any official
complaint from the armies in the field In
regard to fresh or canned meat furnished
the troops.
Have you any information that meat
was chemically treated?"
Nothing but what has been brought
out by this commission. Beef" he went
on, "has been used as an army ration for
many years, and its use was not an expert
ment in the Spanish War. No complaints
had been received from the camps in re-
gard to the beef
When asked whether he was personally
interested In contracts for furnishing meat
the Secretary said, with positiveness:
81 am not. l never had, directly or In
directly, interest in any property, in any
thing, supplied to this Government"
He had never received an official report
that beef furnished the army had caused
sickness, He had received reports from
several sources that at C~hickamauga and
Camp Thomas there had been a lack of
medicines and supplies. The reports were
investigated and supplies ordered at once.
He had never received a report from the
5urgeon-General that he was unable to fur
nish supplies. In regard to the arrival of
the Fifth Corps at Montauk, he said that
every possible precaution had been taken
to make the camp healthful and comforta-
bic. There had been many deficiencies
that it was impossible to remedy, but
everything that could be done had been
done.
This closed the examination, and Secre-
tary Alger was asked whether he wished to
volunteer any statement, but he declined
to do so.