Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-09

Notwithstanding the peculiar character of
the beef board of inquiry report, 1t may
result In the retirement of Secretary Alger
from the cabinet. From time to time there
have been baseless reports of intention
on the part of Mr.. Alger to retire Now, 1t
is said, situation exists which makes his
retirement a proba bility.
No Reference to the Secretary.
The Secretary Is the head of the depart
ment, yet no reference is made in the re-
| port to him or his responsibility for the
conduct of the department. The report Is
silent on the subject Whether this is be-
cause the Secretary is civilian and the
court has to do with only military officers
Is not explained.
The report finds that grave error was
| committed in the purchase of an nordinate
quantity of canned beef, an article not pre-
v1ouSly used to any extent. and which had
been recommended after experiment. only
Tor temporary substitute ration a more
extended use not having been considered or
suggested; and character1ZeS the action of
the commissary general as "unwarranted
and reckless" and "a colossal error, for
which there Is no palliatiOn." NotWith-
standing this the court acquits the commits
sary general of being actuated by any but
the best of motives in committing this
error.
The court finds. moreover that no one is
Suit'pic ~ the extent OF deserving punish
ment but no comment is made on an
error such as charged being committed
without the knowledge of the Secretary of
war, though it is stated that the adoption
OF canned roast beef as a part of the field
ration had not received the sanction of
either the President or Secretary of War.
1t Is silent on the subject of whether
such extensive purchases of a ration not
sanctioned for general use could be pos
sible without the approval Of the Secretary.
His Retirement to Follow
1t is suggested, however. by some in
criticising the report that this silence to-
gether with the substantial acquittal Of
subordinates, except of bad Judgment.
brings the question right up to the head
OF the War Department a question of
the efficiency of the responsible head
The anti-Alger men urge that the eff
cheney of the department is impugned as a
logical sequence of the findings and conclu-
sions of the court, and that the retirement
of Secretary Alger will naturally follow
1t is inferred from his declarations on the
occasion of his visit recently to Michigan
that Mr. Alger has fully determined to
enter politics again and to run for the
United States Senate. In fact. he has prac-
tiCally 80 announced.
If He Runs for the Senate.
1t is further said that if he runs for the
Senate it will be in sympathy with Gov
Pingree, between whom and himself it is
said. there have been mutual advances re-
Gently. This, it is said. would furnish an
additional reason for Mr.. Ayers going out
of the cabinet. since Pingree is trying to Sc
cure the Michigan delegation at the next
republican national convention for Pingree
though at present there appears no real re-
publican sentiment in the state for any one
but Mckinley.
1t is suggested therefore, that Alger
could not make an alliance with Pingrea
rem n n he h pat f.f Ta,1t
Mckinley. No one has any doubt now that
Senator Mcmillan will be a candidate to
succeed himself. and his support will be the
same as that of President Mckinley in the
state. To oppose him, it is said Alger
would have to cultivate the support of the
Pngree anti-admnistrationf forces.