Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-18
MILES COURT MEETS.
Is, THE COURT ALLEGEDLY
FOR MEAT INQUIRY.
TAKING OF TESTIMONY AONDAY.
scope Of investigation VIII he Such
NJ to Follow Beef from Packer to
Private SO1dier-MiIes to Testify
E1raf

WASHINGTON, February 17.-The cour
OF inquiry to investigate the allegations
Of the major-general of the army in re-
spect to the quality of the beef furnished
the army during the war with Spain met
to-day at the rooms formerly occupied
by the War investigating Commission. In
the Lemon building. A full membership
was present, and the court went into Sc
cret session TO discuss the prelimina-
ries OF it's proceedings, and endeavor to
sketch out the line Of inquiry to be pur-
| sued. At 1 o'clock Colonel Davis, the re-
corder. gave out a statement as to the
court and its work.
To-day. and probably all of tomorrow.
will probably be occupied in the exami-
nation of reports OF regimental and other
commanders who participated in the Gu
ban and Porto Rico campaigns, the object
being to select witnesses to be summoned.
In addition to these reports. the proceed
ings of the War Investigating Commits
sion will be looked to for suggestions Of
witnesses.
TESTIMONY TO BEGIN MONDAY.
The taking OF testimony will hardly
begin before Monday. The sessions then
will be open.
General Miles is expected to testify
first, presenting his charges n their
foundations. The investigation will be
limited strictly to canned roast beef and
refrigerated beef, but the scope of the in
quiry will be u as to follow the beef
from packer to private soldier, so that the
action OF the packers and all War De-
partment officials connected with the
beef supply will be investigated. Colonel
Davis said the inquiry would continue in
definitely, and he could give no idea as to
the time of its termination.
COURT MAY VISIT PACKING-HOUSES
Speaking further of the investigation
and probable testimony, Colonel Davis
said the court was not limited in its Sit
tings to Washington, but under the order
converting it could travel from place to
place. This statement is considered sig
nificant. for while the court has an
nounced no determination to go else
where. there is a possibility that it will
visit the Chicago and South Omaha pack
i~ng-houses where the beef in question
was prepared.
The list of witnesses will include many
civilians, as well as army officers and
soldiers. Suggestions as to witness from
any quarter, Colonel Davis said, would be
considered, and all would be summoned,
who. il might seem likely, could throw
any light upon the controversy.
COURT WILL VISIT WEST.
1t was learned this evening that the
court has practically determined TO visit
the packing-houses in western cities from
which beef was furnished. The pilgrim
age will take i'm Chicago. South Omaha,
City. and perhaps ST. Louis.
Some of the officers whose reports
Miles has placed with the court
are now in the Philippines. Their testi
will not be sought. IL was pointed
put by a member of the court that their
testimony would be cumulative, and,
therefore, really unnecessary, since it
would be in accord, generally, with what
would come from officers who are Access
sible.
The dispositions of a number of officers
now i'm Cuba will be taken.
The court will meet at 1890 to-mor-
tow morning, and resume, behind closed
ioors. the work Of mapping out the plan
Of procedure and preparing the list of
Witnesses to be summoned.