Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-25
FOOD FOR THE ARMY.
Com. Gen. Weston Praises His Subor-
dinates arc Makes Fine Showing.

Washington. oct. 24-The annual re-
port of General John F. Weston, chief
c0mmissary Of the army. shows that
there was placed to the credit of the
bureau SIG 357.044 and there has been
expended 9,55l .0G3 during the fiscal
year ending June SO. 1902.
Speaking Of the withdrawal from
cuba. General Weston commends. the
management of the commissary de-
partment in the island under Col. w. T..
Alexander. He also commends Capt.
Hugh ]. Gallagher, who had charge Of
the relief expedition to Martinique, Of
whom he SAYS:
Great credit is due CAPTAIN Gala
CHER for the manner in which he dis
charged the delicate mission with which
re- was intrusted and demonstrated as
other occasions have done 10 prove
cuba and China-that he is notably a
man for emergencies.
Considering affairs in the Philippines
General Weston says
Subsistence affairs in the Philip
pines have presented at all tines COM
.plcx ana difficult problems. but the
present period has been enc Of extreme
difficulty to meet satisfactorily. New
and shifting conditions have arisen ut
each step. and what IS wisdom, today.
becomes q futility. tomorrow. so thai
il has been impossible TO map out any
definite plan or make a provident
recommendation: but it is expected
that . settled and satisfactory basis
viii soon be reached and upon which
intelligent action may be founded.
THE question Of Interpretations is
dificult ana important one just now.
particularly in regard to the depart
ment Of South Philippines The lack
of adeQuatc transportation facilities is
me cause Of just and endless complaint
ana brings criticism and Odium on the
subsistence department for failure in
4 matter over which it has no control
but so vitality concerns it. Troops from
the many places are wholly dependent
up3n the subsistence department for
their FOOD supply and they complain OF
being deprived of supplies not only alb
sulutelv essential to health. such as
beef. fresh vegetables and ice, but 9TH
~ required for their wants and COM
fort. Large losses are entailed by de-
laws in shipments of perishable
stores"
Gen. Weston recommends that wher-
ever permanent posts are located in
the Philippines that cold storage and
icenaking plants be provided IN this
connection he has the following to say
concerning fresh beef:
There has at all times been an
abundant supply of first-class rafriger-
ated meats. which was procured in
Australia at reasonable prices and
brought by vessels Of the navy TO Ma
Mia where it was placed in cold stor-
ace. The prices paid with al expenses
included have been very reasonable
Ana are III vide contrast with those
raid for the British army in South
Africa where the cost of a ration of
beef alore has equalled the cost of our
entire ration. beef -four. fresh and
dried vegetables. fruit. coffee, sugar.
etc. delivered in Manila.
There were S.574.972 pounds Of beef
ara mutton supplied Of a most excel
lent quality II was necessary 10 pro-
cure this beef in Australia, as the ray
gcs OF riuderpest has almost totally
DESTROYED the cattle. CaTabo and swine
~ tie archipelago. 1t is feared now
that on account of the drouth in Aus
tralia the price of fresh meat will ad-
vance and with this prospect in view
steps have been taken to obtain 4 new
market and the delivery Of fresh meat
by mercantile vessels