The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-10

yiding American register for the Centen-
NAL.
The statement gave rise to discussion
that developed some sensational disclos-
ures
Perkins of California sarcastically in
ouired of Gallinger whether he supposed
the vessels which he proposed to provide
with American registry were any better
than the Centennial had proved.
Gallinger replied that the vessels are
satisfactory to the war department. Fur
Their than that he could not say. He knew
the committee on commerce was doing its
duty and it would endeavor, so far as
possible, to protect the interests of the
government.
Carter of Montana entered upon an ex-
PLANTATION of the declaration that the Cen
tennial was unseaworthy. The ship, he
understood from perfectly trustworthy
sources, was thoroughly sound vessel.
She had been carefully examined inPuget
sound by properly designated officers of
the government and had been declared abb
solutely seaworthy. She had been given a
first class clearance by the British author
titles and was regarded by those compet-
ent to judge as a fine vessel. She had
been a Japanese transport in the war be-
tween Japan and China and had performed
most satisfactory service.
1.-THE fact seems to be-" said Carter,
"that number of gentlemen engaged in
shipping on the Pacific have been engaged
in holding up the United States govern
ment for exorbitant prices for transport
ships. 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 endeavorlng
to get the government by the throat that
their monopoly was broken, and they en-
tered into a conspiracy to break down the
reputation of the vessel. Secretary Alger
ordered that another examination be made
of the Centennial and it was not deemed
advisable to take any chances of sending
troops to the Philippines in an unseawor-
thy vessel. "This report said Carter,
was set up against the two reports which
had been made from Puget sound, the eX-
animation upon which one of the latter
had been based having been made in dry
dock.
This whole transaction" declared Car
ter, bears the earmarks of a preconcert-
ed scheme on the part of San Francisco
shipowners to hold up the government and
force it to pay inordinate and extortion-
ate transport prices
Perkins of California said that he desired
to enter word of defense of the San Fran
cisco shipowners. So far as the company
with which he was connected was concerned
it had declined to charter its ships to the
government. Therefore it could not be in
cluded in the denunciation of Carter. He
I'm IF lie lp6o ra "a r
C. p. Huntington of the Pacific Mail Steam
ship company had placed the vessels of his
company at the disposal of the government.
The China, City of Sydney and other ships
of the company had been offered to the
government 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
1.-THE loyalty of the people of California"
declared Perkins, cannot be impugned.
The Pacific states. California, Washington
and Oregon, will never be found lacking in
patriotism, and none of them or none of
their citizens will ever attempt to extort
a cent from the government. The asper-
sions of my friend from Montana were I'M
called for and unwarranted by the facts"
The measure offered by Gallinger, which
had started the debate, was then passed
without division.
Lodge of Massachusetts precipitated a
lively discussion by Offering the 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 as to all the
circumstances connected with the passage
of the bill providing for the payment of said
claim and with the subsequent payment of
the money under said act of congress-
Lodge explained that when the bill appro-
priating $2SS 600 to pay the claim of he
Methodist Book Concern was before the
senate he had offered an amendment pro-
viding that not more than $4,000 should be
paid to any agent working for the passage
of the bill. His amendment had been re-
ceived with Indignation and as a reflection
upon the honor of the men who were rem
dering to the Methodist Church South a SER
vice of love.
eve were assured" said Lodge, "that no
part of the sum appropriated was to be paid
to agents, but it now develops that con-
tract existed for the payment OF So per cent
of the proceeds of the claim to lobbyists
and that one man had received the immense
sum of $1O0,SO0.'
Bate of Tennessee, who had strongly adj
vocated the payment of the church claim,
was much surprised over the disclosures.
He denounced the action of the agents as
an outrage upon individual senators and
upon congress. He favored thorough in
vestigation of the transaction.
Pasco made a statement similar in tone
to that of Bate.
Tillman of South Carolina inquired of
Pasco if he did not think such 'thieving
practices would operate against the pay
ment of other southern claims pending be-
fore congress. He declared the transaction
was an outrage and a swinde Wilson of
said the proceeding was an out
rageous one, and it was evident that the
government had been buncoed.
A bill for the incorporation of the Interna-