The evening times., 1898-12-24
Power TO Grant Concessions in
the New Territories.
CAN FAVOR HIS FRIENDS
An 9iIieial Order DapriVing Mill
tary GoYeraors Of Authority.
Attorney General Gr.EEs Believes
the Secretary of War one
shoRId Grant Franchises.

morning publishes the following dispatch
from Washington:
No franchise can be granted in Cuba,
Porto Rico OF the Philippines except upon
the authorizat ton of Secretary Alger. An
order issued today by Secretary Alger
and sent 10 the commanding officers in
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines,
reads as follows:
Until otherwise ordered, no grants or
concessions OF public or corporate rights
or franchises for the construction of pub
lie or euas-pUblic works, such rail-
roads, tramways, telegraph and telephone
lines, water works, gas works, electric
light lines etc, shall be made by any mu-
nicipal or other local governmental au-
thority or body in Cuba, Porto Rico or
the Philippines, except upon the approval
of the major general commanding the
military forces of the United States in
Cuba, Porto Rico or the Philippines, who
shall, before approving any such grant or
concession, be specially authorized by the
Secretary of War"
Ii is self-eVident that tremendous power
is thus vested in the Secretary of War.
The military governors of the new ter
ritories of the United States have virtu-
ally no authority In the premises, and
must refer all matters of grants, conces-
sions or franchises 10 the Secretary of
War. The Secretary now has more pow
er regarding the disposition of these val
liable concessions than any municipal
council or mayor in the United States has
over similar grants.
Ii is admitted on all sides that the con-
cessions for the various semi-pubic works
are worth many millions of dollars. Sec
retary Aleer can now dispose of any fran
chise. no matter how valuable, without
asking payment. He can favor his friends
in the disposition of these franchises, and
can reject the terms of any bidder on the
ground of military necessity
There is talk of Congress intervening
and passing a law regulating the disposi-
tion Of franchises in our new possessions.
il remains 10 be seen how many conces-
sions Secretary Alger will grant before
the reassembling of Congress on Janua-
ry 4.
For the present, at least. the will of the
Secretary of War is supreme in she mat
ter of granting concessions and fran
chises The military governors are re-
ou!red by the provisions of the order is
sued today 10 submit every proposition 10
him. and without consulting with any
one. he can award franchises for building
street railways. gas works, electric light
ing plants, railroads or telephone and tele-
graph lines. The order does not specify
that the order for franchises shall be SUD-
mitted 10 board, or even TO the Cabinet
for consideration
Secretary Alger favors the building OF
a railroad through Cuba. from its east
ern to its western extremity, with
branches running TO the cities on the
north and south coasts. In his annual
report he urged the building of such a
railway by the Government as a mil
tary necessity" Congress ignored the
matter. AS Congress has not acted, IL is
possible private persons would like to
undertake the construction of such a
system. Should any of Secretary Alger
influential friends, Senator's Hanna, Ell
klns. Fairbanks or others, desire to do
50. all that is now necessary for them 10
do is TO secure his permission.
In the matter Of granting franchE. S
and concessions of like character ever
the public domain of the United States,
il is first necessary to secure the assent
of the House of Representatives, Senate,
and, finally, the approval OF the Presl-
dent Of the United States In the matter
of franchises in the new possessions no
such procedure Is necessary. The viii
of Secretary Alger. embodied in an =.
cial order. is sufficient to grant 10 any
one corporation the right to construct
all uuasi-public works in the entire ter
rtiory now under military Soyernmen ut,
or in any town or city.
1t is the general opinion that it will be
necessary to Americanize existing condi-
lions in all the possessions before bene-
fetal results can be obtained. The Span
ish grants of railways. street railroad
lines, gas works, electric lighting, tele-
phone and telegraph lines will be permit
ted TO stand, yet il is known Americans,
by running parallel lines or monopoies.
can successfully undermine and defeat
any Spanish institution. A majority of
the towns and cities of the new posses
sions are not equipped with modern con-
veniences, and as result American cap
ital Is now waiting for an opportunity to
install the latest appliances in all trancLe
OF business.
Conservative offic'a's of the Admin:stra-
ton are astonished at the authority now
vested in the Secretary Of War They de-
cline to discuss the matter fer publicat on,
but il is argued that the Secretary of WaI
during the conduct of hostilities did not
appear in the light Of one who could make
no mistakes.
The Secretary Of War is business man
who has had large dealings with outside:s
and some of his friends claim he had nc
right 10 accept alone SuCn TESDDiSlbl lNItS
1t is contended among the conservative
members and Senators there should be 8
board appointed to grant such valuable
concessions. This board should be com,
posed OF representative business mea, apc
every grant or franchise should be mos
carefully scrutiniZed.
Col. Francis J. Hecker. Secretary Al
gers stanch personal friend. is now il
Cuba, and so anxious was he TO remain
that he did not return TO attend tbs
marriage Of his daughter which tool
place yesterday in Detroit. Col. Hechel
Is in accord with the Secretary on al
matters, and it is to him that all grant:
in Cuba Will be referred
Attorney General Griggs Is responsible
for the granting Of so much power [,
Secretary Alger. The matter was dis
cussed at the Cabinet meeting today
and he said he believed to turn the en-
tire matter over to the Secretary of Wa
would be the best method of disposng o.
many geXing questions
The Secretary of War is, of course
amensble to the wishes of the Presi
dent, but il is hardly probable that tn,
President Will have his attention caile,
TO all requests.
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