Evening star., 1898-12-02
The War Investigation Commission
Again in the City.
TRANSPORTATION FOR TIE ARMY
Colonel Bird and Captain Miller
Give Testimony.
WAGON SERVICE ATMONTAUK


ton of the army during the Spanish-Ameri-
can war was the subject of inquiry by the
war investigating commission, which re-
sumed its sessions in the Lemon building,
in this city, today. There were present
Gen. Dodge. Gen. McCoOk, Gen. Wilson,
Col DENLY, Col. Sexton, Former Gov.
Woodbury., Capt. Evan P. Howell and For
mer Gov. Beaver.
Bids for Transporting Supplies.
Col. Charles Bird in charge of the trans
portation division of the quartermaster' $
department. L. S. A. was the first witness.
He was interrogated by Gen. John NJ. Will
son. The questions related to the work of
inviting proposals for Transporting supplies
and the contracts on behalf of the War De
partment.
He said he was supported in his labors
by the department, and at no time was he
ovcrruled or hampered. Upon the matter
of the transportation of the troops by rail-
road Col. Bird stated that the bids were all
in before the moving of soldiers began. He
said that the awards were not always made
to the lowest bidder because of the fact that
the railroads combined and furnished SIM
liar rates of transportation.
There were instances where the rate fur
nished by railroad company was not
deemed low enough. In which case a pro-
test would usually bring about a reduction.
1t was found at one time that the rate from
Chickamauga to Tampa was not low
enough, and the matter was taken up by
the War Department, with the result that
a fiat rate was obtained which involved a
reduction from two cents to a cent ana
quarter a mile. Due forcthought had been
given the comfort of soldiers on trains, and
d seat for each man was arranged for in
every contract. The witness said he was of
the opinion that tourist Slcepers We're not
comfortable for the men as day coaches;
nevertheless. he provided the former in re-
SpOnSe to demand
Reduction i'm Rates.
Col Bird then told of the Southern Asso-
citation of Railroads, formed at the begin
ming of the war. 1t started out with the
uniform rate of cents but before the war
closed troops were brought from Tampa
to New York at IL cents. Animals Were
transported for $50 car the same distance
He declared that the Plant system wanted
to shut out transportation over their line
from Tampa to Port Tampa that came over
the Florida Central line into Tampa. The
Plant system made an eXorbitant charge
for such transportation. but orders We're
given that no more money be paid it for
transportation between these two points
until a proper rate was conceded.
Then they have not arranged for that
transportation asked Gen. Wilson
They have not" replied the witness.
Col. Bird, what in your opinion was the
cause of the congestion at Tampa?'' in
quired the examiner.
The sending of more stuff than we
could handle,' tersely responded the wit
ness.
Difficulty in Obtaining Transports.
Colonel Bird stated that the transporta-
ton of troops on the ocean had been antici-
pated, and representatives of the depart
ment in New York made suggestions look
ing toward securing information as to the
vessels available for service. 1t was not
easy to get them, and often efforts We're
made by the companies to avoid furnishing
them. On more than one occasion the de
partment had to threaten to seize the ships
before an arrangement could be e, acted
Alter securing preliminary information he
and the Secretary of War prepared the
charters, and in no case did the department
assume marine risks. Each ship bore its
own damages, and included everything ex-
cept coal and fuel
Every one of the ships chartered on the
Atlantic coast We're freight vessels" said
the witness, and 1t was impossible to pro-
Vme the proper ventilation for the troops"
The witness stated that fourteen vessels
were purchased: twelve on the Atlantic and
two on the Pacific coast. When they We're
htted out, he said, it was not dreamed
that they were going to Santiago. Prepara-
tlonS were made only for a thirty-siX-hour
run to Havana
There was quite 4 contrast" said he
between the ships that went to Cuba and
those for the Philippines. In the latter
case we knew Just what to expect and they
were amply provided in every way, and /
never heard any complaint"
Upon the question of lighters the witness
said:
Il went from Boston to Galveston in
search of steam lighters"
lie said that but few We're obtained and
nearly all of them-five in fact-,vere lost
at sea during service. He regarded the
prices obtained for land and water trans
portatlon as very reasonable.
Contract With the Long Island Road.
Gen. McCook asked for information as to
the railroad transportation to Montauk
Point, Long Island
The Long Island railroad" said the wit
ness, made fiat rate of one cent a mile
with the understanding that it was to have
everything ordered to Montauk except
what was brought in a vessel owned or
controlled by the government The re-
it was aimed solely at excursion boats"
is 1t not the duty of the quartermaSter
general to anticipate the needs of the army
without waiting for calls for specific ar
ticles?" asked Col. Sexton
Il think so,' responded the witness
Was there any written or verbal con-
tract with the Long Island railroad that
would have prevented the government from
"a dHSloi lIiS " Dy water troops
and supplies?" he was questioned by Com
missioner Woodbury..
Il don't think so" replied Col. Bird. q
know that l insisted that l would not agree
to any contract that would not allow the
government to transport anything it
wanted in any way desired
Mr.. Woodbury. was questioned as TO the
duty of the quartermasters department in
providing for an expedition.
THE quartermaster general" said the
witness, was not told in advance of the
proposed size of the Shafter expedition or
the true destination. Had it been done
there would have been a vast difference
In the way he performed his duty"
Trying to Fix Responsibility.
WAS it the business of the quartermas-
ter's department to order articles for the
landing of the troops or was it the duty
of either Gen. Shafter or Gen. Miles?" Col
DENLY asked.
'The quartermaster's department was
ignorant of what was to he done. It pro-
vided all that was asked for" said wit
ness.
| Whose business was it to see that the
expedition was properly provided for-the
Quartermaster general. Gen. Shafter Gen.
Miles or who?' he was asked.
II think 1t was the business of the man
In command OF the expedition. If 1 had