Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-25
INVESTIGATING TROOP SHIPS
Reports Regarding the Poisoning on the
Rio de Janeiro.

Acting CommissaIy General Weston has
received reports from several quarters in
regard to the epidemic of ptomaine poison
ing. which occurred On the transport Rio
de Janeiro on her last trip to Manila, with
the 35th Volunteer Infantry, Col. Plummer
commanding, which poisoning is said to
have resulted from the bad condition of the
fresh meat supplied to the troops. From
these reports it appears that the beef sup
piled to the Rio de Jareiro on that voyage
was furnished and hacked in ice by J.
Schweitzer & Co, september %, 1920, I'M
der the personal Supervision of Major Car
rol Mercer, comrissary of subsistence, and
Mr.. Smith, acting port steward. Mr.
Schweitzer ha had thirty-two years ex-
perience in ps .cking such supplies, and Mr.
Smith twenty six years. The sides of the
ice boxes we're lined with ice three feet
thick, and the bottom with Ice two feet
thick According to the usual custom, the
beef was packed in alternate layers after
teing cut, and the joints laid bare. 1t was
remarked at the time of shipment that the
beef was of the finest quality.
Alleged Careiessness.
One of the officers connected with the
shipment in question calls attention to the
fact that thirty days had elapsed before the
alleged ptomaine poisoning occurred on
The Rio de Janeiro. long enough, he re-
marks, for the ship to have reached Ma
Mia, II not delayed after her departure
from San Francisco. 1t was also shown
ttat the meat was not re-iced at Honolulu
and that the usual care exercised by the
skilled stewards of a passenger shin uas
never mad on the transports, owing to the
TACT that the ice houses are opened fire.
quently during the Gay for purposes other
'han mat OF securing the beef therefrom.
Favors an Improved Icebox.
Col. Baldwin, commissary of subsistence
at San Francisco, says it has been dennn-
strated that wherever proper care has bean
SHOWN IN the care Of the ice houses between
San francisco and Manila the beef remains
good, with little trimming, a full VOYAGE
Every pound Of fresh beef put on a
snip. he says, sis inspected as carefully
ana the same quality insisted on and oh
'aihed as that supplied to the tables of all
the pest notes, and is slowed away wit h
'ne jest possible care. In shipping troops
On chartered transports hereafter, if time
ana money cannot be had to put in re-
frigerating plant, I believe a dirferent ,c.-
Do& could be planned for carrying meat if
the space would be allowed, that would ba
more mo satisfactory and at the expense of 81 =
ooo or $2OOO more for each vessel than ;s
now expended for tceboxes 1t would 70
quire two and half times as much room,
or ABOUT that OF refrigerating plant"
Disabling of the Manauense,
Reports have been received at the War
Department from Colonel Petit and Ijeu-
tenant Colonel Webb Hayes of the a6th
Volunteer Infantry in regard to the recsnt
trip OF the transport Manauense from San
Francisco to Manila with part of the 3sth
Infantry. 1t will be remembered that the
machinery Of the Manauense broke down
on the voyage during typhoon, and that
the vessel narrowly escaped being wrecked.
She was rescued from a periIeus position
by the transport City of Pekin, which
towed her several hundred miles into Ma
Mia. The reports just received have been
forwarded to Colonel Long the quarter
master IN charge of the transportation ser
Vice at San Francisco. for full statement
| OF the facts connected with the inspection
and condition OF that vessel at the time Of
her departure from San Francisco. The
purpose OF the inquiry Is to fix the responsi-
hiiity for the deplorabie condition OF the
! machinery of the Manauense IL possible.
| and to meet out proper punishment. Pend,
| ing the result of this investigation pay
ments under the charter OF the vessel vii,
be suspended.