The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-24
BACK OF THE INVESTIGATION.
RUMoRS OF UNUSUAL CIRCUM-
STANCES THAT PRECEDED 1T.


1t About-The Proceedings Nester-
day as Closely Yelled i'm secret as
Those which Have Gone Before.
Witnesses For Capt. Carter Exam
ined.
As little as came out with regard to the
proceedings of the investigating board,
which is here inquiring into the river and
harbor work. during the first two days Of
the work. there was probably less yester-
day. The investigation goes on, the wit
nesses are examined, and neither from
the lips of the witnesses nor the princi-
pals is the general public made any the
wiser.
Capt. Carter began yesterday the pre-
sentation of his side of the matter, Capt
Gillette having concluded the day before
the presentation of that evidence given in
support of the statements which he has
lodged with the war department with re-
gard to the work. The board held three
sessions, morning afternoon and night,
and all questions put by outsiders to those
interested with regard to the progress Of
the investigation were answered with Il
can say nothing"
From what was learned on the street
yesterday, however, it would appear that
Can't. Carter was pleased with the results
of the evidence presented during the day.
While none of the evidence was detailed
for the benefit of those who were waiting
and seeking information, remarks by wit
uesses indicated that the proceedings, so
far as they had anything TO do with them'
were entirely favorable to Capt. Carter.
Just how long the investigation will be
continued now, it is impossible to state.
None of the officers interested VIII even
give a speculative answer to that ques-
ton. AS the board did not permit Capt.
Carter's attorneys, Messrs. Charlton,
MackaI and Anderson, to appear for
him, Capt. Carter has been put to the ne
cessity of consulting them outside and be-
tween the sessions.
Reports are growing and spreading as to
the motives that prompted the investiga-
ton of the river and harbor work here,
and at Fernandlna, and of the work of the
officer who had for so long time been
in charge of it. 1t has been little diff
cult for many to see why such work,
the excellence of which has been remark
ed upon by a number of expert engineers,
and which has so increased the commerce
of the port, should be attacked as it has
been, unless there was some good cause
for it,
Ii is currently talked now, however,
that for some time efforts have been made
by certain stone company to have its
rock used in the construction of the jetty
work in the Savannah river. Those eff
forts have failed. The Florida rock was
used. it is stated, because of a peculiar
quality through which it forms with the
mattresses. in time, a solid iwall-in other
words. practically a monolith. Failing to
ger this particular rock into the work, it
is stated that the company controlling
the output, through certain of its repre-
sentatives stated that unless it was used
by the contractors there would be a scan
dal and charges would be preferred. Even
this had no effect in changing the rock
used.
Shortly after Capt Cassius e. Gillette
came to Savannah to succeed Capt. Car
ter, there were certain interesting devel-
opments in connection with the work, A
recommendation was made to the depart
ment that the contractors be ordered to
stop the use of the Florida rock, and Use
a heavier stone. Under Capt. Gillettes
recommendation the department issued the
order, but the contractors. who are doing
the river and harbor work here, did not
get their stone from the company above
linn,
for it, securing, however, the quality OF
rock demanded by the department. This
brought on more trouble.
Following this a representative Of the
company that did not get the stone con-
tract, went to New York. 1t was about
the same time that Capt. Gillette went
from Savannah to Washington, at which
time, it is thought, he lodged the infor-
nation that led to the investigation. Fol-
lowing the appearance of the aforesaid
gentleman in New York the publication
concerning Capt. Carter appeared in the
New York Journal. That article is said
to have been followed by an inquiry to
parties most interested, asking whether
that was pressure enough. 1t seems that
it was not, and further developments fol-
lowed.
Woven into all this, it is stated freely
that there is the effort on the pals of the
Nicaragua Canal Company 10 GUST Capt.
Garter from Inc NlcaFaSuan canat coh-
mission. Capt. carter. as an Independent
engineer, is said TO have refused to COM
ply with certain requests made upon him
by that company of which Warner Miller
is president and in which, IL Is said the
Secretary of War, is also interested which
request was for a favorable report upo@
the project under any circumstances
This refusal it is stated, has angered the
Nicaragua Canal Company and its high
officials, who want a man on the Nicara-
qua canal commission who will be sub
servient to their wishes and make favor
able report, whether the survey to be
made justifes it or not because such q
report would, in ell probability mean
millions of dollars to the company
The statement is reported to have come
from an official connected with the wal
department that no parties, VINO were uu-
favorable 10 Mr. Warner Miller, should be
employed by the Nicaragua canal com
mission This statement is reported &c
have been made because of certain ap-
pointments that were made by the com
mission of parties 10 whom Mr.. Miller en-.
tered objections.
From these two series Of alleged facts
the conclusion is drawn that certain state
ments were made, and certain matters