Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-08
81 WATER STREET,
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apr12. eodtf1stp
ponant Of the field ration, and to that
extent he is responsible.
The report places the quantity OF
canned roast beef purchased for the
war by the cOmmissary department al
G,S47.17i pounds. including $4,000
pounds which was brought from Liver
pool and other English ports. This
amount is characterized as excessive
and the commissary general Gen
Egan) is severely criticized in severa
parts Of the document on this score
One of the severest rebukes is as fol-
lows:
considering the little use that had
been made of this beef in tn regular
army the probability that the volun-
teers We're entirely ignorant Of it. that
its use as part of the field ration had
never been sanctioned by the Presi-
dent or secretary Of war, the court can
but characterized the action of the
commissary general Of subsistence az
unwarranted and reckless in that he
ordered the purchase of such enormous
quantities Of a food that was practi-
cally untried and unknown and the
court so finds. The court also finds
that there is no ground for any inn
putatiOn whatever of any other actual
ing motive on the part of the commits
sary general than the earnest desire to
procure the best possible food foI
the troops. The court pronounces this
act Of the commissary general Of sub
sistence a colossal error for which
there is no palliation.'
The court finds that there was
neglect in Cuba and to a less degree
in Porto Rico in delivering the refriger-
ated beef.
The court" says the report, does
not wish to state the case more strong
~ than to say that the finding appears
10 be warranted that too much time
was consumed in distributing this per-
ishable article. The fault. if any, there
was. rested with the brigade and high
er commanding officers and their COM
missaries and quartermasters, but the
testimony is not so definite or specific
as to warrant the naming by the court
of any particular officer"
They say that the refrigerated beef
was at first received with great salts
Of the delay in unloading the refrigera-
ting apparatus of Swift & Co. at San
tiago. AN appeal by the contractors
agent to Gen. Shafter for an order on
the quartermaster to expedite the de-
livery from the transport of the re-
frigerating plant did not effect any re
suit. The delay in this matter was the
cause Of serious loss
The court is Of the opinion that the
canned roast beef was not suitable as
a travel ration on transports consider
ing the absence Of cooking facilities
and the absence from that ration of
fresh vegetables and condiments. For
use on shore as d food ration, where
the companies had their camp cook
ing equipment, and vegetables We're
available, canned roast beef is suitable
for issue. say two days in 10. but not
for two days in succession. In some
organizations it seems to have consti-
tuted at least one-half of the meat ra-
ton and until after the surrender the
troops had no means for other cooking
than was practicable with the indi-
vidual kit carried. For such extensive
use. or any use, exceeding one day in
five, the court finds this beef insult
able.
The refrigerated beef is. in the opin-
ion Of the court. suitable ration for
troops when it can be issued to them
in good condition, AS to whether any
thing better than the beef was avail
able for a ration. the opinion is:
First, that on the transport the re-
lance on canned fresh and canned corn
beef was wise but that the canned
fresh beef was less desirable than the
corned beef.
Second, that While bacon is not re
garded is a suitable constant food in
for troops serving in the
tropics, combined with the vegetables
that were available it would have been
more suitable and fit than the unknown |
md unfamiliar canned roast beef eat
IN direct from the can.
Third. that the use of refrigerated |
beef on shore. after the troops had Sc
'ured convenient harbors and landing
ABILITIES was wise and desirable. The
curt believe that there was no better
God available or practicable
The opinion is expressed that il
would have been impra cticable to land
beef cattle on the hoof in Cuba. the
of the court this point be
ng as follows: The commanding
general Of the expedition characterizes
IS absurd such a proposition and
many Of his commanding officers whose
opinion is given in the testimony CO.
inside with him in the impractical lty
# expediency of such a project. The
curt concurs in the opinion of these
nen whose eXperinece in active mill
airy service dated from 1861"
An instruction Of the President to the
curt was that IF the packers of the
ountry are guilty it must be known"
Continued on page %