The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-02-22
THE WAR INVESTIGATION
Miles's Structures on the Army Beet
Severely Criticised
GENERALS CHARGES DISMISSED.
Tho Testimony OF General Miles and Ma
jor Daily Not cressted by the War In
vestigating Committee-The Report
Finds That the War Department Did
all That It Could During the War.

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WASHINGTON, D. C. (specinn.-The War
Investigating Commission has completed
its labors, and its report is now In the
bands OF the President. The report makes
an important feature OF the beef scandal
and dlsmi.ses as general proposition the
charges that have been made against the
beef furnished to the army. 1t finds that
most OF the beef was such as could be
properly furnished as an emergency ration.
pointing out that the evidence showed 1t
was never intended to be anything but
an emergency ration. It says there
were only two witnesses who really testi.
fed against the beef. Genera! Niles and
Major DAILY, the chief surgeon, who made
the report regarded as themost sensational
forwarded to the Commission by General
Miles. As to the testimony OF these two
witnesses, the Commission, goes on 90
point out the mass OF evidence submitted
to the contrary as of1settinS this testi-
mony.
AS to such OF the canned beef as was
found to be Objectionable, the Commission
points out the effect OF thetropical climate
IN producing Iquefactlon OF the fat IN the
contents OF the cans unpalatable. Most OF
the beef, though, Is found to have been
satisfactory for emergency use, where
fresh beef or beef on the hoof could not
be procured. The structures OF General
Miles made publicly on the beef and his
public expressions in other ways are sub
jected to severe criticism.
The report finds that the statements OF
chemical treatment made By General Miles
An bo ~ Mainr nalv ara NOT
borne out by. the chemical experts, who
were also placed on the stand. II quotes
from Major Daly's testimony, and then
takes up the testimony OF Professors
Clarke, OF the Geological Survey. and Bige-
low, Of the Agricultural Department, who
made analyses OF the beef submitted, aud
finds that. as a chemical expert, Major
Daily is not supported by other authorities,
and that. therefore, his testimony Is re-
garded as not worthy of credence.
The methods aud manner OF loading tho
transports in General Skaters Cuban
expedition are also discussed, and respon-
sibilIt,. IS placed for the results. tThere
are also some recommendations as to
the organization Of certain branches OF
the army, but the recommendations
ore NOT radical. AS to the administra-
tion and conduct OF the war. the conclusions
ofthe Commission are un nderstood to be that
everything pOSSlDl6 Was uOuo Wy LILO OC-
partment In the limited time at its CON-
msnd In making preparations for the war,
and the report says that the conduct OF
the war not only resulted successfully, but
Is worthy OF great commendation.
The report says that the evidence before
that Commission shows that Secretary
Alger exercised proper diligence and su
pervlsion, and that his subordinates also
were efficient, experienced and faithful.
The Commission is unit In it's findings,
and there Is no minority report.
At the outset the Commission divided IT.
self into subcommittee for the separate
consideration OF designated branches OF
the main subject of inquiry. These sub
reports were added to the principal state
ment Of conclusions handed 20 the Presi-
dent.
The report Of the Commission Is docu-
ment OF $50 printed pages, Each member
has copy to retain, and arrangements
have been made 80 that the President will
have as many copies as he wishes when he
makes the document public.