New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-18
ess whatsoever but frst-class refrigerated beef AZ
good as the country produces and in every way
sound. sweet and proper food"
REASSERTS THAT REEF WAS coon

~
good as the country produces and in every way
sound. sweet and proper food"
REAssERTs THAT BEEF WAS GOOD
After discussion of General Milcs's statement
to shortness of funds in Porto Rico General
Eagan again takes up the beef question. and de-
clares that it was good beef. and amy officer no
matter what his rank" falling to use proper sup
plies does so at his peril land II purchases and
substitutes for the good article inferior and I'M
wholesome one. one that the whole medical fra
terniy OF the United States Will unite in saying is
not wholesome. gives men darrhea and dysentery.
then he does so at still greater peril BY General
Mles's own statement he directed the purchase
of native beef ashore while good refrigerated
beef-not embamed beef-was there In Ponce. 1t
was not embaned beef 1t treated with
any chemicals whatsoever for its preservation"
Discussing General Miles's statement that he
wanted complete rations sent. instead OF in bulk
General Eagan says he saw any such re-
quest, and if he had he would have regarded II
las extraordinary. for there is such thing
sending complete rations in large quantities other
wise than in bulk. II General Miles explain to
your Commission what the difference Is he Will do
more than think he or any other man can do. and
/ especially ask the Commission TO note this as one
of the things bearing on the entire subject"
Taking up General Miles's testimony that the
food of the serious OF sickness
among the soldiers General Earan denies this. and
points out that General Miles gives II his judg-
ment Because he merely expresses his judgment
that way I cannot take further issue with that
statement than to dispute It,"
General Eagan declares that General Shafter
cabled his appreciation of the character OF re-
frigerated beef-not embalmed beef-that arrived
at Santiago day after the port was opened
General Shafter." he says has repeatedly IN
person expressed to me his profound gratitude and
appreciation Of the fine beef. which he calls the
finest he ever ate-this same refrigerated beef-not
embalmed beef-that is spoken OF by General Miles
in his statement made TO your Commission.
"You have before you reports Of various officers
describing the character Of the superior ana me
cattle (?) that Porto Rico has furnished TO the
United States at the low prices mentioned by Gen.
eral Miles-bulls. stays. runts. reformed cattie
which means old work oxen-a class ana character
Of beef that the subsistence department never pur
chased In this country anywhere else, II II
could do better. certainly not II 1t could get eooo
REFRIGERATED beef The statement Of the character
Of the cattle In Cuba In the Island OF foreo
Rico needs no further Illustration by me-
On the question of refrigerated beef Genera
Facan says: General Miles testihed tnat S-' 'o's
Of this refrigerated beef might be calleo einoa'eu
beef This statement means. In erect charse u
dishonesty and corruption the part OF 'he men
who furnished It, That is what nave " soy "
gard to calling it embamed beer
General Fapan saws General Miles gives wna'
purport TO be the statements OF fourteen ~
expressing dissatisfaction with the cahms -.
beef
inform the Investigation Commission no" ne on
tainad the renorts OF these officers nor when ne
obtained them nor does he inform the commission
that these adverse reports on this article q! 'o
were furnished to the War Department ior i's IN
formation that II might take proper steps III 'ie
matter II the statements made by the ohiceIs
quoted by him correct He suomi's '"a'
such invitations to critcise apt to procure ao
verse criticisms and would be taken as eViuen'e
OF desire for adverse reports. IN thls cohneO0"
II is proper to say that there Is what IS known as
an Inspector-G enerars department In the Army
whose appropriate duty is when directed oy proper
authority TO examine into matter or this KIM
and make an intelligent. responsible report-a re-
port that can be met and refuted II II IS ialse'
report that If untrue the author can be helo ouiy
accountable for; report that would be OF value
TO the Government and serve to guide 1t IN iuture
purchases: report OF things In existence that can
be examined and tested.
General Eagan repeats his former statement OF
thankfulness that this land never gave. and never
will thank God the purse in addition to the SWORD
TO any general. and whenever Congress permits any
general be he whomsoever he may. to control the
purse as well as WELD the sword. that day the
mistake Of this country will be made; and that DAY
designing with military command and the
purse o. the United States at their disposal, may
set themselves up and do things that this country
is and always has been afraid Of"
NO "PRETENCE OF AN EXPERIMENT"
As to the "pretence OF an experiment" charged
by General Miles in connection with timed fresh
beef General Eagan says
General Niles. In saying that this food was sent
TO the Army as a 'pIetence for experiment, says
that which implies corruption, winch ninety nine
oat Of every hundred people will understand 70
mean corruption, because II was "pretence OF
experiment. he says. not even giving credit TO me
for furnishing It as an experiment. but that fur.
nished it under the pretence OF an experiment;
This is a serious charge, and should no; be made
support it, Taking the statement in the sense that
was probably intended. the sense that has been
accepted by the press Of the country-indeed some
OF that press because OF II call for nv dismissal
from the Army and my court martial answer
that K was not furnished under the preence o. an
experiment. even as an experiment. In denying
this | content myself with saying such statement
is untrue and unworthy Of more emphatic denial |
His statement reflects upon the honor of every Of
fcer in the Department who has contracted for or |
purchased this meat especially and particularly on |
the ComInissary-G eneral-mysel
General Eagan declares oath that the Secre- |
tary OF War had nothing whatever 10 do with the |
OF refrigerated timed meats. nor has
he in any whatsoever controlled or attempt
ed control the contracts. the awards the pur
chases OF these articles. He up his whole !
case conclusion, and finishes by hoping that the
statement will offset the statement made by Cen ,
aral Miles and will in some measure al least do |
that haN hooV