The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-27
Alger Before the War
! Board.
IN REGARD TO FOOD
Secretary Said He Had Re-
ceived No Complaints.

Washington, Jan. 26.-Secretary Al
ger, in response to an invitation of the
war investigating commission, appeared
before that body today. The secretary
was sworn by Gen. Wilson, after
which Gov. Beaver, after asking per-
mission to use the title General in
stead of "Mr. Secretary" began the ex-
animation of the head of the war de-
partment
Secretary Alger, in beginning, stated
that he had been on duty at the war
department constantly during and af
ter the war with Spain The chiefs of
bureaus in the department, he said,
were generally appointed to such places
because of seniority but the president,
if he thought proper, could break this
rule.
When asked in regard to expendi-
lures by the department of the war
Iund, the secretary replied that the
larger part had been devoted to
strengthening coast defenses During
the continuance Of the War he had been
Kept constantly advised of all actions
taken by the several bureaus. If he
had not been advised of any important
ftSct in regard to departmental work,
the head Of one of the bureaus was to
blame. If any report originating out
side OF the department came to him
ne investigated it at once.
During the early days of the war
some defects were apparent 1t was not
because of lack of funds, but because
1t was impossible to handle properly so
large body of men OH short notice
witness did not recall having received
during the war complaints in regard to
foods furnished to the army. There was
shortage of food at Santiago, not be-
cause there were no supplies but be-
cause they could NOT be landed from
the ships. No old soldier, the secretary
believed, would make harsh criticism
OF the food furnished the army under
the circumstances. He had never had
any cause during the war for COM
plant of any officer.
Was the head of any bureau guilty
OF failure to discharge his duty during
Ine continuance of the WARP" asked
Gov. Beaver
No. sir" replied Secretary Alger
Dld any report come to you of any
lrresularity or of any fraudulent prac-
trees IN the contracting for supplies to
any department ?"
mo, sir
Did you directly or indirectly have
any interest in the selection of any Of
the camps occupied by any of the
No, sir. never had any interest in
any camp. | don't know that anyone
terest"
Did you have interest in any con-
tract for materials s1npliad ,5,,,,is,-r a.
WARP" o''i iiis 'he
moi cent in any contract" replied
the secretary emphatically.
Does that apply to transports pur-
Yes, sir"
Inc secretary went on to state that
ne nad never had any personal interest
~ line me expenditure of government funds
olrectly or indirectly. No contracts for
equipments were entered into prior to
the declaration of war.
rave you received any complaint
from the major-general of the army
Wnlie at Porto Rico as to the quality of
refrigerated and canned roast beef fur
nlshed the army?"
me secretary replying referred to his
aIlnhuai report, quoting dispatch from
s.n @lles asking that no more beef be
sent, because they could get a. large
supply there. Gen. Miles said some
'ii1ls ABOUT beef that had spoiled there,
GOV. Beaver asked whether It was
true that actual preparation for war
was not made before the declaration of
war, because 1t was thought it would
pc aVerted. The witness replied that
l. hdu oeen hoped that war would be
AVerted. The chiefs of the several bu-
reaus of the department had never as
semoled to hold council of war. They
were all too busy.
Secretary Alger next told of the in
spectlon OF camps, especially the tour
OF inspection by Gen. Miles. He (Alger1
never had received any official COM
plant from the armies in the field in
regard to fresh or canned meat fur
nished the troops
Have you any information that meat
was chemically treated?" was asked,
Nothing but what has been brought
out by this commission, he replied.
Beer, he said, has been used as an
army ration for many years, and it's
use was not an experiment in the Span
ISM war No complaints had been re-
celVed by him from the camps in re-
gard to beef. When asked whether he
was personally interested in contracts
for furnishing meat, the secretary said
with DoSitiveness: II was not; l never
had, directly or indirectly, interest in
any property or in anything supplied to
this government"
He had never received an official re-
port that beef furnished the army had
caused sickness. He had received re-
ports from several sources that al
Chickamauga and Camp Thomas there
had been lack of medicines and sup
plies. The reports were investigated
and supplies ordered at once. He had
never received a report from the sur
geon- general, that he was unable tc
furnish supplies. In regard to the ar
rival of the fifth corps at Montauk
he said that every possible precautior
had been taken to make the camp
healthful and comfortable.
| This closed the examination and Sec
rotary Alger was asked whether he
wished to volunteer any statements
hbut he declined to do so.