Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-24
CEN,WESTON'SR REPORT
Subsistence Affairs in the
Philippines.
NTW DD0DT TNF0 ADTOTNN
NEW PROBLEMS ARISING
DIFFICULT QUESTION OF TRANS
PORTING SUPPLIES.
Provision for the Enlistment Of Army
Bakers and Cooks Urged
Praise Of Subordinates.

The annual report Of General John F.
Weston, chief commissary Of the army.
shows that there was placed to the credit of
| the bureau $16,357 O44, and there has been
expended 1851 ,603 during the fiscal year
ended June 80. 1902. Referring to the with
drawal of troops from Cuba, General Wes-
ton commends the management Of the
commissary department in the island under
Col. w. l.. Alexander. He also commends
Captain Hugh ]. Gallagher, who had charge
of the relief expedition to Martinique, of
whom he says
Great credit Is due Captain Gallagher for
the manner in which he discharged the hui
name and delicate mission with which In
trusted, and demonstrates, as other occa-
sions have gone to prove-Cuba and China
that he is notably man for emergencies
Major David L. Brainard and other Of
fcers are also commended, especially Major
w. H. Baldwin, of whom General Weston
says:
Great credit is due Major Baldwin for
the very satisfactory manner in which he
has discharged the arduous and exacting
duty of purchasing commissary at San
francisco during the year. while his man
agement of the transport service has been
all that could be desired"
Concerning affairs in the Philippines Cen
eral Weston says:
Subsistence in the Philippines.
Subsistence affairs in the Philippines
have presented at all times complex and
difficult problems, but the present period has
been one of extreme difficulty to meet salts
factorily New and shifting conditions have
arisen at every step. and what is wisdom
today becomes a futiity tomorrow, so that
1t has been impossible to map out any dell
mite plan make provident recommen-
dation; but 1t is expected that settled and
satisfactory basis Will soon be reached and
upon which intelligent action may be found
ed The policy of concentration which has
resulted In large reductions in military
forces and posts, and by which troops are to
be stationed at seacoast points and along
the railroad, all make toward an early and
satisfactory solution.
The bulk of the alton articles and many
of those for sales to officers and enlisted
men, were drawn from San Francisco
owing to its favorable location and market,
which insured reasonable prices and af-
forded short route to the Philippines New
YORK was drawn upon for the bulk Of artt-
cles intended for sales while from Chicae go
Kansas City and Omaha, the three largest
packing centers in point of production In
the world, salt meats and meat products
We're procured. st. Louis supplied a limited
number of articles which were produced
there. or which that city could economically
furnish.
Transporting Supplies.
The question Of transportation is the
most difficult and important one which has
TO be dealt with Just now and this is par
tlcularly true with regard to the Depart
ment or South Philippines. While 1t is
recognized that there are difficulties Incl
aent to the situation, the fact remains that
lack OF adequate and satisfa ctory transpor-
tafion facilities is the cause Of just and
endless complaint and brings criticism and
odium on the subsistence department for
failure In matter over which 1t has no
control, but which so vitality concerns it.
troops In many places are wholly depend
ent upon the subsistence department for
their food supply and they complain of be-
Ing deprived OF supplies not only absolutely
essential to health, such as beef, fresh veg
etables and ice. but others required for
their wants and comfort. Large losses are
entaled by delays in shipments Of perish
able stores.
While the procurement OF an ample sup
ply OF fresh meat has up to the present
time presented no difficult features, the
matter Of its distribution to distant and
isolated stations is a serious problem. 1t
Is shipped from Manila by transport, coast
lines. launch and rail; and the quartermas-
ter's department has placed number OF
ice chests with a capacity Of several thou
sand pounds OF beef and ice on Transports
commercial liners and steam launches.
Large quantities Of fresh beef have been
shipped by this method, but 1t Is expensive
and is very unsatisfactory unless delivery
can be made in a few days. To interior
points meat is shipped by casco wagon
bull cart and pack mule. The value of fresh
beef as an article Of diet is inestimable and
has at all times given this department the
greatest concern. and the problem can only
be fully solved when the transportation
problem Is solved.
when 1t was impracticable to send fresh
vegetables to distant and inaccessible
points, desccated vegetables were furnish
ed as a substitute but they have not in
many instances given satisfaction When
neither fresh nor desiccated vegetables
could be furnished troops Communication OF
the fresh vegetable ration has been author
lied"
Losses Amounted to $354,214.
The commanding general says that the
total amount OF losses in the subsistence de-
partment for the entire Philippine archipel-
ago during the past year was s354,214 "A
variety OF causes" says he, lied to large
losses during the year. These losses re-
suited in the main from conditions which
could not be foreseen or provided against.
Among the prolific sources was a lack of
adequate and proper transportation facilt-
ties: quarantine regulations which were es-
tablished on account of Asiatic cholera and
neceSsitated perishable articles like fresh
vegetables remaining in quarantine for at
least five days; the lack of proper cold
storage facilities fire, theft and the con-
domination Of large quantities of old stores
accumulated throughout the islands,"
Wants Bakers Enlisted.
General Weston renews his previous rec
ommendation for legislation for the enlist
ment Of bakers, for the establishment of
training schools for army cooks and bakers
and for law authorizing all officers in
trusted with the disbursement of subsistence
funds to hold restricted amounts of such
funds In their personal possession
THE exigencies Of the public service"
restrictions Of the existing law in cities
where the treasurer or an assistant treas
urer Is located"
Regarding the clerical force of his bu-
rean, General Weston says: