Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-27
ALCER BEFORE COMMISSION
Constantly in Touch with Bureau Chiefs
During the War;
ALL PROVE FAITHFUL TO THEIR DUTY
Immense Amount of Work for which
Country Was Not Prepared Re
sponsible for Any shortcomings
No Interest in Contracts.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 26.-Secretary Alger,
in response to an invitation OF the War In
vestigatng commission. appeared before that
body today. The secretary was sworn by
General Wilson. after which Governor
Beaver, after asking permission to use the
title General instead Of "Mr. Secretary"
began the examination Of the head Of the
War department.
Secretary Alger in beginning stated that
he had been on duty at the War depart
ment constantly during and after the war
with Spain The chiefs of bureaus in the de-
partment, he said. were generally appointed
to such places because OF seniority, but the
president, IL he thought proper, could break
this rule. When asked in regard to ex-
penditures by the department Of the war
fund. the secretary replied that the larger
part had been devoted to strengthening
coast defenses. In anticipation of such an
inquiry he had brought with him memo
randums prepared by heads of bureaus giving
details of the expenditure Of this fund.
During the continuance OF the war he had
been kept constantly 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
work the head OF one OF the bureaus was to
blame. II any report originating outside of
the department came to him he investigated
1t at once.
During the early days of the war. with a
large body OF men to provide for. some de-
fects were apparent. 1t was not because of
lack Of funds. but because it was imposs-
BILE to handle properly so large body OF
recall having during the war complaints in
regard to food furnished the army. There
was a shortage Of food at Santiago, not be-
cause there were not supplies. but because
they could not be unloaded from the ships.
No old soldier. he believed. would make
harsh criticism OF the food furnished the
army during the circumstances. He had
never had any cause during the war for
complaint Of any officer.
No Failure of Duty.
WAS the head Of any bureau guilty of
failure to discharge his duty during the con-
tinuance Of the war?'' asked Governor
Beaver.
mo. SIR" replied Secretary Alger.
Did any report come to you OF any ir-
reguarities or Of any fraudulent practices
In the contracting for supplies furnished to
any department."
mo, sir"
Did you directly OF indirectly have any
interest In the selection Of any Of the camps
occupied by any Of the troops?"
mo. sir; I do not know that anyone con-
nected with me had any such interest"
Did you have any interest in any con-
tracts for materials supplied during the
war;"
Not cent In any contract" replied the
secretary emphatically.
Does that apply to transports purchased"
Yes, SIR"
The secretary went on to state that he
mad never had any personal interest in the
expenditure of government funds directly or
indirectly. No contracts for euuipment
were entered into prior to the declaration
Of war.
Have you received any complaint from
the major general of the army while at
Porto Rico as to the quality Of refrigerated
and canned roast beef furnished the army?"
was asked
The secretary, replying, referred to his
annual report. quoting a dispatch from Cen
eral Miles asking that no more beef be sent
because they could get large supply there
General Miles had said something about
beef that had spoiled there.
Delay Due to Hope of Avertinr War.
Governor Beaver asked whether actual
preparation for war was not made before
the declaration OF war and whether the de-
lay was due to the fact 1t was thought Il
could be averted. No reply, however, was
expected II the question was not deemed
by the secretary to be a proper one
The witness replied that there had been
~,
The chiefs OF the several bureaus of the
department had never assembled to hold
council Of war. They were all too busy.
In regard to the inspector generals office
the secretary did not consider that the bu-
reau had been practically abolished by the
transfer OF officers to other duties. He be-
lieved II retained its efficiency,
Secretary Alger next told of the inspec-
ton OF camps. especially the tour of inspec-
tion by General Miles. He (Alger) had
never received any official complaint from
the armies In the field in regard to fresh
or canned meats.
Have you any information that meat
was chemically treated?" he was asked
Nothing but what had 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 experiment In the Spanish war;"
No complaints had been received by him
from the camps in regard to beef
Not Interested in Supplies.
When asked II he was personally inter-
ested in contracts for furnishing meat the
secretary said with positiveness II have
not. never had. directly or indirectly,
interest In any property or anything sup
piled 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 Chickamauga and Camp
Thomas there had been a lack of medicines
and supplies. The reports were investi-
gated and supplies ordered at once. He had
never received a report from the surgeon
general that he was unable to furnish sup
plies.
In regard to the arrival of the Fifth
corps at Montauk he said every possible
precaution had been taken to make the
camp healthful and comfortable There had
been many deficiencies that it was impos-
sible to remedy. but everything possible to
be done was done.
This closed the examination and Secretary
Alger was asked IL he wanted to volunteer
any statements, but he declined to do So
Report on Hanna's Subsidy Bill.
WASHINGTON Ian ha