The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-10

Special Dispatch 10 the Post-Inteligencer.
WASHINGTON. June 9.--Carter of Mon
tana created a sensation In the senate to-
day when he charged clearly that the San
Francisco ship owners were trying TO hold
UP the government in the matter OF de-
manding exorbitant prices for transports.
and stoutly declared that there was con-
spiracy against the steamship Centennial.
chartered a. Seattle after proper inspec-
ton and then declared unsea worthy in San
Francisco.
When the senate convened Ganinger OF
New Hampshire reported from the com
mittee on commerce a bill providing Amer
ican registry for the steamers Olympia.
Victoria. Tacoma. Columbia, Arizona and
Argyle. of the Northern Pacific Steamship
Company. He expressed the hope the bill
would be passed at once. as the vessels
were needed TO transport troops to Ma
Mia. The vessels are at present flying the
British nag. Gallinger said that the war
department had found II difficult to obtain
transports on the Pacific coast. He pointed
out that one of the vessels. the Centennial.
had been found urseaworthy
Perkins sarca sticaIly inquired Of Calling
er whether he supposed the vessels which
he proposed to provide with American reg
istry were any better than the Centennial.
Gallinger replied that the vessels were
satisfactory to the war department Fur
ther than that he could not say. He knew
the COMMITTEES on commerce was doing It's
duty and Ii would endeavor so far as pos
sibie 10 protect the interests OF the govern
ment.
Garter entered upon an explanation OF
the declaration that the Centennial was
seaworthy. This ship he understood from
perfectly trustworthy sources was a thor
oughiy sound vessel. She has been care
fully examined in Puge, sound by properly
designated officers of the government. and
had been declared absolutely seaworthy.
She had been given a first-class clearance
by the British authorities and was regard
ed by those competent to Judge as a fine
vessel. She had been a japanese transport
IN the war between Japan and China and
had performed most satisfactory service
The fact seems 10 be" said Carter that
number Of gentlemen engaged In ship
ping on the Pacific coast have been en-
gagged In holding up the United States gov
erument for exorhitant prices for trans
ports. The arrival of the Centennial at
San Francisco and The granting 20 her Of
an American register was a notice TO the
ia ;riotlc gentlemen who were endeavOrng
Ia held up the government that their mo-
ropoly was broken. and they entered into
n conspiracy 10 break down the reputation
Of the vessel Secretary Aiger ordered that
another examination he made Of the Cen
tennial and K was not deemed advisable
10 take any chances OF sending troope 70
the Philippines In an unseaworthy boat"
This report was set up against
tho two reports which had been
made from Puget sound. the cxamina tion
upon which one Of the latter had been
based having been made In dry dock. This
whole transaction bears the ear marks of
a preconcerted scheme on The part of the
san Franc.@so ship owners % hold up the
gcvernmcu; and fierce II 10 pay noriinate
ar3 exto-tiorate prices
IT snav =. that the naval Officers who in
epcctei this veyssel az Puget sound hoth In
and ont OF the dry dock made egregio;ls
mistakes Notwithstanding they were I'm no
seysse IT. cOllusion having mad. the exam
.nations ~ different times and places II
ruav ~ that both wert. MIST AIKEN II NAV
be that Capt Robinson. quarteruiastar a
gentleman of high character. stationed at
s~aattle. vas mist lkru when ~ repo.tef
20 the var, department that this vessel
was oue 90 the S.aureAeSt t0 he found IN
Pacific w8taTs II msy that these gentle
gaeu who desired - get s.. .no PER d3v for
fna Morgan steamer were Correc; IN ss wing
fhs, Centennial should be act aside ard the
Morgan steamer taken IN her place"
Spooner~Wiu the gentleman from Mon
tana allow
Carter-Ccrtaiuly
SnoUncr-t have kaown Cap R0ht-so,
for many years. He S a resident of Wis
cons.n ana one of the most faithful and ef-
dc.en, officers N the service
Cnrisr-I think the statement Of the ssns-
tor from Wisconsin does nothing hgt ms
ttee - capt. Robinson. from reports
have heard c0nceTninE hat officer
The senator from California - fam.ta-
With the steamship business AZ San Fran
cisco. EJe probably Is familiar with an
marine or'cer a. san Francisco who saf4
the CentenDis} bad been condemned But
! AL! say to h.m thar a. he inception az
the crusade against this vessel n. marine
crf1rer a: San Francisco - whom I refer
openly publ she'd over bis Own signature
an interview regarding the previous rec
ord % Ia.S vessel that ias statements made
vsere absolutely ftlse. ana must nave been
kacgsn Sc 1t~y. ts have been false
y suggestion properly uisdf bV the a.
sistsnt serr..agy Et S2g II t1st ta.s veSSe,