The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-04-01

TIE BERING SEA COMMISSION A
COSTLY LUXURY.

Fat Subordinate Places Made for Fa-
vorites by the Last administration.
Helford Drawing $4,000 Year as "a
Paymaster in the Army and to Be
Given in Addition SIS Day for Ex-
penses.
WASHINGTON. March 3l.-President Har-
rison is said by friend TO have had his
doubts as to the propriety of sending such
a large staff of assistants and clerks, more
than fifteen in number, with the American
representatives in and before the Bering
sea commission at Paris, If he had known
the size for allowances for expenses made
to the members of the staff he would prob
ably have had some additional doubts. He
would certainly not be surprised to learn
that President Cleveland, TO whose
attention this matter has been
| brought, thinks both the staff aud the ex-
pense allowances unwarrantably large aud
is disposed to have both cut down. Presi-
dent Harrison apparently approved the un-
precedeated order detailing Maj. Elijah w.
Halford as disbursing officer to the Amer
loan delegation, to perform the duties
| always performed hitherto by a civilian
that he might be- surprised If Secretary
Lamont should recall Maj. Haford to per-
form the regular duties OF an army pay
master in this country. But it does not
appear that President Harrison knew that
in addition to his army pay and allowances,
amounting to about $4,000 a year, Maj.
Halford was TO receive Sl5 a day for ex-
penses while on this special service, and he
would hardly be surprised IL this allowance
should be cut off.
STANLEY BRowN's LUCK.
President Harrison knew that j. Stanley
| Brown, private secretary and son-in-law of
| President Garfield, had been detached from
the treasury department., where he was re-
ceivinR $40 day as an expert on the fur
seal after one visit TO Alaska, to go to Paris,
| aud knowing his limitations as IA seal expert
| may have disapproved the selection as he
| doubtless would have disapproved the allow
ance made to him by the start department.
| of BIS day for his expenses. In the cir
| cumstances the reduction of Stanley
| Browns allowance or his recall TO Washing
| ton by Secretary Carlisle would probably
not surprise Mr.. Harrison.
The disclosures as 70 the allowances made
to the gentlemen representing the United
| States in more or less important capacities
at Paris have come from the treasury de-
| partment, ana not from the state depart
| menL Secretary Gresham, whatever he
may have said to the President privately
| would be the last man Ia view of his life
long friendship with ex-Seoretary Foster
and his appreciation OF the proprieties end
Of the fact that Maj. Halford was associated
with ex-Presdens Harrison, 20 give the
! facts 10 the press Secretary Carlisle, even
has been unwilling to do this, but, having
been sent to him officially BY Secretary
Gresham in response to an official request
for statement OF the appropriations in
trusted for expenditures to the state depart
ment, tho facts got ou5 through subordi-
mates.
| COST OF THE REPRESENTATION.
They show that the appropriation made
| for the representation of tho United States
In and before the Bering sea commission,
amounting TO $3.50, 900, was opportioned
with the sanction, II not by the personal
| act, OF ex-Secretary Foster among the repre-
sentAtives of the United States, large and
small with liberality which amounted to
| extravagance. The allowances made to the
American members OF the commission,
| Justice Harlan and Senator Morgan, to
the agent of the United States, ex-Secretary
| Foster himself, and TO the distinguished
counsel, ex-Minister Edward J. Phelps, ex-
| Judge Il. w. Blodgett and James G. Carter
| are not out OF proportion 90 the Importance
OF the occasion, but, in the first place, an
unusually large number of assistants Of
various grades was appointed, end III the
next place they were given un-
| usually large allowances. Mai Halford
and Stanley Brown are the only at
taches apparently, who receive as much
| as Sl5 day allowances, but all the others,
from ex-Secretary Fosters son-in-law,
Robert Lansing, assistant counsel, with an
allowance Of $40 day. down. receive. in
addition to their salaries, large amountsfor
expenses.
| TYPICAL CASE.
A typical case among the subordinates Is
| that Of Mr.. Lewis, clerk OF Mr. Justice
| Harlan, who, in addition 20 his salary of
| l.800, is allowed $6 a day for expenses
The extravaganza involved in these al-
lowences is emphasized by the fact that
number of the attaches we're al
ready employed by the govern
ment at fGir salaries and without,
| of course, any allowance for expenses
here In Washington. But when they we're
detailed to Paris, hearing what large ex-
pense allowance Others we're getting, they
| succeeded In getting similar allowances
| themselves. 1t is q delicate matter for this
| administration to handle. Amy official
action which 1t might take would almost
| certainly involve our Representatives at
| Paris in a scandal which would prejudice
| the United States in the arbitration and
| put us 70 shame In Europe. But IL Presi-
dent Cleveland feels free to follow his in
! clinations in the matter he will bring 90
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