The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-23

DR.. William H. DAILY, of Pittsburg, who
was major and chief surgeon of volunteers
during the war, and who testified before
the war commission that he had discovered
by chemical analysis boracic and salycilic
acid in refrigerated beef furnished the ar
my, was introduced. His examination by
the recorder was conducted slowly and
with great care, developing with minute
ness all of DIR. Days duties while attach
ed to Gen. Miles staff. These, besides
those OF an army surgeon, consisted in
making special reports to Gen. Miles on
camp sites. water supply and the like.
Inc recorder very carefully developed the
TACT that most OF these reports were verbal
or telegraphed. therein differing from the
now famous meat report which was the
cause OF DR.. Days being summoned as q
witness. Therein the examination differed
considerably from that of the previous wit
nesses.
DR.. DAILY testified that he was assigned
to duty on the staff of General Miles and
remained at Tampa until a few days after
the shafter expeditions sailed, his duties
being miscellaneous under direction of the
army medical department.
Examined Proposed Camp Sites
Thence he went to Key West. Miami and
other points to study proposed camp sites.
Later ne came north and finally Joined Gen.
eral Miles at Guanica, Porto Rico sailing
from Charleston subsequent to the latter's
departure. His duties, he said, were those
of attending surgeon at headquarters and
general duties incident to surgical and
medical needs of the army. Sometimes he
said he acted In response to written and
sometimes to verbal orders.
Dr. Daily said he remained in Porto Rico
five or six days after General Miles depart
ed, being ordered to supervise the careful
preparation of the transport Panama for
bringing convalescents north in a manner
above reproach. There was previously
considerable complaint as to the QUILTING
of returning transports. He received those
orders about August %, and after picking
up a load of sick at various points in Porto
Rico sailed on September 8, and arrived at
Fortress Monroe September 10. landing his
patients in a greatly improved condition.
He reported to Washington, where he was
quite I'll, and was given sick leave The
surgeon general was pleased with his work
on the Panama and wished him to remain
with her. While still sick In Pittsburg he
received orders from General Miles to go
on an Inspection tour of the new regiments
In the south who were being fitted out for
tropical services. This was the trip on
which witness became acquainted with the
alleged embalmed beef. There were several
officers engaged in this inspection. DIR.
Days investigation was directed among
other things, particularly toward the food
supply and cooking arrangements of the
regiments. The general object of the in
epection, according to the Witness was to
get the troops into the best possible condi-
ton for active service and to render as
sistance and instructions, which reports
were rendered after the inspection of each
camp visited. These reports In the course
of regular routine passed through the
hands of the general commanding the
army During this trip he became so i'll
that he was obliged to return home to
Pittsburg where, after remaining for some
time on sick leave, he rendered his resigna-
tion.
The "Embalmed Beef" Report
In all this very detailed recital the ques-
tion of beef was not once preached by the
court. But when DR.. Daily had been chro-
nologically carried through his term OF
service and out of the army, the recorder
handed him the famous "embalmed beer
report and asked him II he recognized 1t.
DR.. Daily said that he did, and 1t was all
right, except. perhaps, the date, which In
the copy was September p. He said to
the best of bis recollection the exact date
was October II. The date, however. he
said was not essential, the report being
genuine and. In the opinion of DR.. DAILY,
perfectly accurate.
Colonel Davis then addressed the court
briefly, saying tSat 1t was only within
twenty-four hours that he had been able
personally to study this report OF DR..