New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-10
COL. HECKER HEARD AGAIN.
HE TEsTlFIEs ABOUT TRANSPORTATION
OF SPANISH PRISONERS.

SAYS ABNER MKrNLEYs FIRM HAD NOTHING TO
DO WITH SALES OF SHIPS TO THE ARMY
Washington Dec e-The transportation 70 Spain
BY the United States OF the Spanish prisoners
surrendered at Santiago taken UP by the war
Department Investigating Commission to-day am
Colonel Hecker who made the contract for the
United States. recalled 70 testify on TINS
point He said there had been combination Of
New York shipping concerns which would nave
caused an outlay Of 81. 900. while the actusl
EXPENSE was sjl3 0O The lowest bid was from
Philadelphia junk dealer who. however had no
visible means Of executing the contract and al
mitted his own doubt 70 getting sufficient oonH
This Philadelphian. Colonel Hecker testified pro-
tested AGAINST not receiving the contract on the
ground that he had "a chance to make some moheS
out Of IT," The most feasible bidder was tn'
Spanish Transatlantic Company. It's bid uhnN'
The others relieved tho Government from All H''
ical attendance and finally. on he Government
representations the company agreed 10 reduce HS
figures about $4,000.
What induced The Government TO sehd '"oSe
people 10 SPAIN" asked.
Don't know The terms OF surrender proVlu-"
for H."
Colonel Hecker read long statement siEheu -
one William z Ryan. detailing the alleged me'n'uS
of the TRANSPORTATION Bureau in connection VIII
the ATTEMPTED sale Of certain ships - tn' 'oN''"
ment Colonel Hcckcr said he dill not kno" ryan,
Several members Of the Commission said they WIN
be glad 20 summon the man II he co'!!d De i""'
Asked Il he vas ever approached by Ahhei W
Kney relative to the purchase OF ships Oo'o"e'
Hecker replied Never pui once He spoke u "'
once about a water barge. for which there Wa "o
Us. AT the time and ] 50 Informed MIN - IT. a.
had any otae. computation rom hllh' 'i'"'' ~
What rart nd The irm o. which Abner Mckinley
j: memner pay ~ the sale o. S"'pS
'None at ALL TO the army. rephed Oo'o"''
Hccker II 30 not know ~ 20 the Navy. q sinh
Askei 10 Kyans charge hat tners was asxerrised
ordinate in Colonel Hcck'rs Once VINO ~ cit
replied that the negotiations were ,i -oTli
directly. and hat no subordinate IN IN ,be dr-t
direct charge Of corruption ne had seen afd', a..
himself rs ne considered himself responsible ior
% he confronted with Ryan. The Commission IL
cae summon k hi iba he next eSHo vines was
amined As 10 the camp site ana dlV ,ti, Us
good place camp. but knew nothing aooS' t ,
reasons FOR 'ts selection me "4nllIH' mo uater
hospital there was good. but az inltS n. w. conc
supply was insufficient He mad requesleu Sut ;,S
Red eros, nurse OF Dr. ksni for arriyed he
had been instructed by chief Surgeon MOSS Ho' ~
Asked as 10 the conditions at Montauk Surgeon
Appel said that they were generally satlsisccolS
49, ;G"1g Ne ' ci,fd ' il caS of Mrs Arnold Of New
York a woman who complained Of me mcgee. ol
soldiers there we're badly treated. had been struck
by their nurse. and desired 10 get away. ne III
vestigaied. ana found the soldiers perfectly sdt'S
fed ana opposed TO being removed 49,, - TIA
kever;ins asan TO the camp al NAM daaihs dsV
A. a matter OF fact. in July. out OF camp oi
seven thousand men, there were only Twelve
Major 4 H. Ape. brother Of the preceding
witness followed lie wa in charge OF tn hospl,Gl
charge # the Ouyette. which accompanied Snaf.
tors army 70 Santiago. he SAID me hosil,a' a.
uen{s rgeeyeG pr9pe wcrH t5orourhy Satisfactory