The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-10
Ship Owners Trying to Hold Up
the Government.
ASKING FABULOUS PRICES
Pacific Coast Ship Owners Putting IN
Extraordinary Figure on the Value
of Their vesssls-Cartsr Tells
the Story.


against the shipowners on the Pacific
coast He said they had been endeavortng
to hold up the government and compel II
to pay inordinate and extraordinary
prices for ships to be used transports
for the troops going to the Philippines
Mr.. Perkins of California denied the
statements of Mr.. Carter. declaring that
the vessel owners of San Francisco had
placed their ships at the disposal of the
government at a rate fully 20 per cent
less than they usually received for them
Mr.. Lodge OF Massachusetts made some
sensational disclosures regarding the dls-
position of the money appropsi9 ed ty
congress a short time ago in payment u
the claims of the Book Concern OF th~
Methodist Episcopal Church South He
introduced resolution directing the
claims committee to maze an investfsa-
ton of the matter and reoht to the sers
ate what, II any, action could be taken-
The omnibus claim bill. Carrying some
thing over 100000. 10 r-rvate pension
bills and several measures from :hc SEN
eral calendar were pass,i-
When the senate convened Mr.. Calling
er of New Hampshire reported from the
committee on commerce a bill provioing
American registry for the steamers Osym-
pia. Victoria. Tacoma. Columbia. ALTOONA
and Argyle of the Northern Pacific Steam
the bib would be passed at once. as they
were needed to transport troops to Ma
nila. The vessels are at present nyfng the
British flag. Mr.. Gallinger said that the
war department had found 1t difncuit to
obtain transport ships the Pacific
coast One of the vessels secured. the Gen.
tennal had been found unseaworthy.
Mr. Perkins of California sarcastically
inquired of Mr.. Gallinger whether he
supposed the vessels which he proposed to
provide with American registry were any
better than the Centennial had proved
Mr.. GaEinser replied that the vessels
were satisfactory to the war department.
that He~cuUDA not -uay- He
knew the committee on commerce was 90
ing its duty. and II would endeavor. so far
as possible. to protect the interests OF the
government.
Mr. Carter OF Montana entered upon an
explanation of the declaration that tina
Centennial was unseaworthy. This ship.
he understood from perfectly trustworthy
sources was a thoroughly sound vessel
She had been carefully examined In Pu-
get sound by properly designated omcers
of the government and had been declared
absolutely seaworthy. She had been given
a first-class clearance by the British au-
thorities and was regarded by those COM
petent to judge as "A fine vessel. She hao
been Japanese transport In the war De-
tween Japan and China and had perform
ed most satisfactory service
THE fact seems to be. said Mr.. Car
ter. that number of gentlemen engaged
In shipping on the Pacific coast have been
engaged in holding up the United States
government for exorbtant prices for
transports. The arrival of the Centennial
at San Francisco and the granting to her
of an American register was notice to
the patriotic gentlemen who were en-
deavoring TO get the government by the
throat that their monopoly was broken
nd nrad tnf N N
break down the reputation OF the vessel
Secretary Alger ordered that another ex-
animation be made of the Centennial and
1t was not deemed advisable to take any
chances of sending troops to the Philip
pines I'm an unseaworthy vessel This ~
port. said Mr. Carter. was set against the
two reports which had been made from
Puget sound. the examination upon which
one of the latter had been based having
been made in dry dock.
This whole transaction" declared Mr..
Carter bears the earmarks of a precon-
certed scheme on the part of San Fran
cisco shipowners to hold up the govern
ment and force IL to pay inordinate ana
extortionate transport charges
Mr.. Perkins of California said that he
desired to enter a word Of defense Of
the San Francisco shipowners. 30 far ~
the company with which he was connect
ed was concerned it had declined to char
ter its ships TO the government There
fore it could not be included IN the De-
nunciation of Mr.. Carter. He knew Of his
personal knowledge that a.. p. Huntington
of the Pacific Mail Steamship company
had placed the vessels of his line at the
disposal of the government. The China.
City of sydney and other ships OF the
company had been offered to the govern
ment for fully 50 per cent. less than they
could command on the Atlantic coast. Mr.
Spreckels had done the same with the
vessels of his line. Other San Francisco
shipowners had offered their vessels to
the government at its own price.
THE loyalty of the people of califos-
MIA" declared Mr.. Perkins. cannot b.
impugned. The Pacific states. California.
Washington and Oregon, will never b
found lacking in patriotism and none OF
them. none of their citizens. will ever at
tempt TO extort cent from the govern
ment. The aspersions OF my friend from
Montana were uncalled for and unwar-
ranted by the facts"
The measure offered by Mr.. Gaiiinger.
which had started the debate. Was then
passed without division.
Mr. Lodge Of Massachusetts precipltsted
a lively discussion by Offering the follow
ing resolution: That the committee on
claims be directed to inquire and report
to whom the money was paid under
claims OF the Methodist Book Concern
South. and also to all the circum-
stances connected with the passage Of the
bill providing for the payment OF sa.d
claim and with the subsequent disposal oe
the money under said act OF congress-.
Mr.. Lodge explained that when the b.n
appropriating ass 600 10 pay the claim of
the Methodist Book Concern was before
the senate he had offered an amendment
providing that not more than 5000 should
be paid to any agent or lobbyist for WORK.
ing for the bill His amendment had been
received with Indignation and a. = reilec
ton upon tho honor Of the men who were
rendering to the Methodist Church South
a service OF love.
"we were assured" said Mr.. l0dge.
'.that no part Of the sum appr0priated Woo