Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-05-18
Criticism of Nile

the date upon which he formed belief. or
q reasonable suspicion. that the health Of
OF deleterious food. 1t was his bounden
duty. In the opinion Of the court. instantly
to take the most effective measures with
in his control to ascertain the actual fact
and to correct the wrong, II any should
be found. It would have been practicable
to obtain samples OF the beef then being
supplied to the army by contractors and
to have submitted these samples to chem
zeal examination. which would have re-
suited In the detection Of the presence or
absence Of boric and salicylic acids or any
other chemical agent that may have been
precautton as that suggested was taken
by the major general commanding at that
time or at any subsequent time, so far as
has been learned by the court"
Rebuke for Eagan.
The report places the quantity Of canned
roast beef purchased for the war by the
commissary department at 6.S47.174 pounds.
including $50 900 pounds which was brought
from Liverpool and other English ports.
This amount Is characterized as excessive.
and the commissary general (Gen. Eagan)
is severely criticised in several parts of
the document on this score.
other Cancellations.
Replying specifically to other questions
set out by the president. the court says:
''fresh" because 1t was not sailed. but that
the meat was not old or stale.
That the refrigerated beef furnished the
army was mot doctored or treated with
any other agency than cold air.
That the meat purchased for the army
kinds-refrigerated and canned-were such
as are well known in both hemispheres as
commercial articles. Of which there is and
has been very large consumption not only
by the trade generally. but by the United
States navy and by the armies and navtes
Of Europe
That no reports Of unfitness or unsuita-
bility Of the beef sent from the United
States were forwarded to the war depart-
ment by any general officer serving in Cuba
or Porto Rico while the field operations
were in progress nor were any such reports
received until more than a month after hos
tilittes ceased.
8 That. barring some defects in methods Of
inspecting the beef on its delivery to the
subsistence department. the deterioration
of the meat in shipment was due to the
fault Of no one.
SIiIes' Charges.
The charges Of Gen. Miles. as made in
interviews. as well as those
made before the war investigating commits
sion. are referred to at length, among them
being the interview with the general sent
out from the New York office OF the Assoc
CI0leU 1EeSS on Tue SkSS OF J6uuarys III
which Gen. Miles was quoted as saying that
he had Overwhelming evidence that the
beef was treated with chemicals to preserve
1t and that he had afhdavits from men who
saw the beef undergoing the embalrning
process" The court notes the denial which
Gen Miles made Of this part of the CONVEX
satton as It was printed in the New York
Herald. but prints the charge as part OF
the allegations, saying on this point: 1.-THE
testimony OF both Mr.. Reid and Mr.. Berry.
Of the New York Times. agree In the verify
Of the interview as reported by the former.
The court does not therefore ignore this
paragraph. but treats 1t as part OF the all
legations which are under investigation.''
Several pages OF the report are devoted
to the consideration OF the allegation made
BY Gen. Miles that the refrigerated beef
statement Is made upon the threshold Of
this question that but little testimony was
submitted by him in support OF this con-
tentton." The inference drawn by the
court from the absence Of such testimony
Is adverse to the existence Of the practice
alleged to prevail by the major general
commanding.
Approved By the President.
The report closes with the following state.
ment: 1.-THE court with deep sense OF the
responsibilities devolving upon it has La
bored zealously TO bring out the truth and
matters referred 70 II for Investigation.
That the calling OF more witnesses from the
large number suggested by the major gem
eral commanding. including all those who
have taken part In the operations Of the
war. would only have resulted In additional
testimony on the same tines az those pur-
sued. without throwing further light upon
the questions involved"
The document Il signed by ]. F. Wade.
major general. United States volunteers.
president. and George B. Davis. lieutenant
colonel. deputy judge advocate general. re-
corder. The finding. Of the court are Ap-
proved by the president. The court 10 dis
solved by ordero OF Adjt. Gen. Corbin. acting
secretary OF war.