The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-04-27
Relative to the Loss Of Refrigerated Beef
Shipped on the Manitoba.
Blame Rests Primarily With the
Army in the Lack of Control Of
the Men and Responsible Head
of the Subsistence Department
at Ponce, Under the Difficulties
Attending New Military Situ-
alton.

WASHINGTON, April 26. The
board convened by special order to
examine and report on the RESPONSE
bility for the loss of 300, coo pounds of
refrigerated beef sent to Porto Rico last
summer has submitted it's report and
findings. The beef was shipped on, the
transport Manitoba from Swift & Co.,
Chicago and Kansas City. The boards
findings are as follows:
THE beef was good and fit for issue
upon its arrival at the port of Ponce,
August 10, 1898; was reported to the
proper military authorities, and that
this condition continued after the re-
lease of the Manitoba from the reef on
August Is, 1898, although there is rea-
son to believe that the refrigerator 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
August 16, 1885, due and proper efforts
We're not made to issue this beef to ac-
cessble troops between that date and
August %. 1898, the date of the de-
parture of the Manitoba from Maya
guez
That this lack of effort was in the
rangements already locally mentioned
for the purchase of live beef, but lay
primarily in the lack of control of the
men and a responsible head of the Sub
sistence Department in Ponce. under
the difficulties attending new military
situation.
That both at Mayaguez, from Au-
gust 26th to August 31st and at Ponce
between the date N 10 rat Of tIa
Manitoba, August 31st to her depart
ure for New York. September 7th, prop
er effort was made for the issue of this
beef, and the meat was, in the opinion
of the board, still fit for issue.
THAT the meat had not been SUBJ
jected to any chemical process what
ever for its preservation.
THAT the loss of this beef was due
to several causes, possibly deteriora-
tiol-, sviile the refrigerator plant was
interrupted or disturbed, August 10th
to August 18th; exposure to high tenn
perature from the time of loading ON
the transport to date of issue at Maya
guez and after; improper handling and
faulty protection after issue; deficient
transport 20 troops; month elapsed
since the beef was dressed before it
reached Mayaguez, when for the frs
time issues were made, owing 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 at
ports of entry.
That the United States is response
BILE for the loss. The board is aware
of an average waste In refrigerated
beef-a loss properly chargeable to the
contractor, but the board is unwillllg
to fix an arbitrary figure for such a
shipment as that of the Manitoba.
handled under the adverse circum-
stances existing, as established by the
testimony, and by the absence of re-
liable data.
That Swift & Co. be reimbursed for
the beef
THE board constructs the time limit
in the contract with Swift & Co. to
which the beef should remain sound
for twentyfour hours after delivery to
the issuing commissary, if properly
protected, the seventy two hour clause
referring to intermediate storage in
land refrigerators"
Secretary Alger has approved the
findings of the board and directed that
payment be made to Swift & Co. in
accordance with the report.
Nothing has been determined as to
whether a board of inquiry will be or
dered to make further investigation.
The board which has just reported
was a Board of Survey.