The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-30

Gen. John f. Weston, Acting COmmissa-
~ General Of the Army. has received an
interesting report from Capt c. r. Kraut-
hon. Assistant Qu2rtermaster at Manila,
regarding the fresh beef served the troops
in the Philippines. The War Department
had received several letters from persons
in this country. concerning the quality of
the beef. and General Weston wrote Cap
tain KrauthOff for full report on the
subject.
The report was received today and COW
ers fully Captain Krauthof's connection
with the cOmmssary department at Ma
Mia. which extends over period Of near
ly two years 1t shows that the troops
are getting better>beef than can be bought
in the United States. The report takes up
the first consignment of beef with which
Captain Krauthoff had TO do and says:
This beef was received from Australia
on the Duke Of Sutherland. which arrived
with her cargo in the Bay of Manila, 1 be
lievc, in September, 1898, and furnished
fresh meat to the army from that date to
the middle OF April, 1899. During the lat
ter part OF April and up to the middle Of
May frozen beef was received from the
United states naval supply ship Colgo
The advantages Of this class Of meat are:
First quality. 1t is of class known to
the trade as export beef and is OF a
quality superior in every respect to meat
sold to the trade or issued to the army
in the States.
"Second-The cattle are inspected be-
fore. and the meat after slaughtered This
ensures healthy meat and the exclusion
OF diseased cattle
"Third-The cattle are slaughtered by
expert butchers and the meat cared for
by experts while in storage.
"Fuurth-The capacity of a ship is such
that a large supply is always on hand
which enables the department to supply
any unusual demand called for. as has
been done In the past when expeditions
left Manila.
"Fifth-Frozen beef has given excellent
satisfaction to the troops. not one com
plairt having been received by me as to
the quality and freshness Of the meat.
SiNth-The most important advantage
OF frozen beef Is its keeping quality. II
enables the department TO send fresh beef
10 all parts Of the lines, reaching there in
a frozen state and in excellent condition.
During the time meat was received
from the United States Navy a lot was
drawn at 4 o. m. one afternoon and about
D. m the next afternoon il was sent to
CorreEidOT Island by boat. thirty-six miles
from Manila, and when used the day after
was found to be just thawed out. During
hostilites, and owing 10 the movements
or troops, organizations could not always
draw their meat, which had been ordered
This beef was covered with tarpaulins and
Issued next day, and was always in ex-
cellent condition. Had this been chilled
beef or freshly slaughtered it would have
spoiled. The quarters being covered with
muslin keeps the meat clean while be-
Ing handled.
"On April % sixteen head OF cattle we're
killed and the meat issued to troops The
cattle were wen-bred, fat Australian
steers. weighing about $50 pounds gross.
in the market they would have been class
ed as dressed beef steers-a class Of cattle
not used by firms in the States which sup
ply the army with beef. The cattle were
inspected by Dr. W. r Monserrat and
pronounced healthy. This beef did not
give the satisfaction that the frozen beef
does The objections are; CD The climate
here is such that the cattle must be killed
during the night, issued in the early morn
ing. and cooked at once. ~ The meat is
used before the animal heat leaves the
carcass this causes intestinal disorders.
90 ii does not stand transportation.
The army at Manila and vicinity would
require about 20 cattle australian per
day, or 100 If native cattle were used. In
the first case it would require a number
Of cattle steamers, probably four, to fur
nish the necessary number OF animals. In
the second case there are not at present
enough native cattle 10 supply the de-
mand. In addition the cost Of inspectors
butchers, slaughterhouses, etc, must be
taken into consideration.
An attempt was maze to issue a small
amount Of chilled beef from the United
States transports Grant and Sherman up
on their arrival at this port. The meat
while not bad If used on the transports.
was not fl for issue 20 troops in the city.
AS soon as the fresh beef came in contact
with the warm air it turned green. and
the bad OdOr was very marked.
Having served in the Philippines since
June go, 1898 and having observed the
native cattle slaughtered in Cavite upon
the arrival OF the first expedition, and
having observed the frozen beef. chilled
beef. and freshly dressed slaughtered Aus
tralan beef issued to the troops, I am of
the opinion that the frozen beef is suye-
riOr in quality and more economical than
any other class OF fresh beef that NAV be
supplied the army serving in the Philip
pines