The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-10
HE HAD A WATER BARGE
Abner Mckinley Tried to Sell It
to the Government.
NO CORRUPT PRACTICES
Colonel locker Testifes to the Manage
ment OF Transportation-Msjor Ap-
pei Said Tiffany Did Not Die
OF Starvation.

Washington. Dec. 9.-The transporta-
ton to Spain by the United States Of
Spanish prisoners surrendered at San
tiago was taken up by the war investi-
eating committee to-day, and Colonel
Hecker, who made the contract for the
United States. was called to testify. He
a that there had been a combine Of
New York shipping concerns which
would have caused an outlay of 81. AGO.
900. while the actual outlay was s5i3, 600.
The most feasible bidder was the Span
ish Transatlantic company. Their bid,
unlike others, relieved the government
of all medical attendance.
Asked IL he was ever approached by
Abner Mckinley relative to the pur-
chase of ships. Hecker replied: Never
but once. He spoke to me at one time
about a water barge for which there
was no use at the time and / so in
formed him. L never had any other
communication from him either di
rectly or indirectly"
"What part did the firm of which Nc
kinley Is a IN play in the sale of
ships?" asked Ex-Governor Woodbury..
None at all. as TO the army replied
Hecker. Il do not know as to the
navy"
Hecker denied the charges made by a
man named Ryan of corrupt practices
IN fteckers office. The commission de-
cided to summon Ryan If he could be
found.
Surgeon NJ. L. Appel then testified as
10 he camp site and hospital at Miami,
Fla.
Major A. II. Appel. a brother of the
preceding witness, followed. He was
IN charge of the hospital at Tampa
Heights until June IS. when he took
charge of the OliVette. which accompa-
MED Skaters army TO SANTIAGO. He
said the hospital at Tampa was well
equipped and supplied; that the pa
tents received proper care and atten-
tlon ana that the conditions generally
We're thoroughly satisfactory. There
were no complaints.
When the camp was broken at Tam
pa, he took aboard the Oliyette all the
equipment of the division hospital. on
ly the patients were left behind. The
OIivette had aboard equipment and
supplies SUFFICIENT to accommodate 200
patients for two weeks. He had 100 pa
TENTS aboard the Olivette when the
transport fleet reached Cuba. They
were transferred to the Olivette en-
route from the other ships. The wound
- - AZ Xhtsiliidh HSHL were nnI
aboard the Olivette. He had no appli-
cations from the medical corps ashore
Tor medical supplies. He denied tat
the ship ~purposely remained off shore
To avoid opportunities of medical ofi-
GERS ashore. The Olivette went north
July : with 215 patients aboard. II
had all necessary supplies aboard. Wit
ness described the case Of Lieutenant
William Tiffany. He was a GONZALES
cent from malaria. He wa on ,leck
every day, n when landed at Boston
seemed in good condition. Ii was not a
fact that he could not retain food on
his stomach. He gained strength stead
lily during the voyage.
on arrival at Boston he telegraphed
the a%djutant general. saying there were
a number of officers aboard who ought
to have sick leave. and his recommen-
dation was approved. Tiffany was
among them. He told the officers that
they could go to their homes. but
warned them that they must be care
ful. He did not know exactly when
Tiffany left the ship. He advised him
to remain until he disposed of the en-
listed men, but when he inquired, Tiff
fanny had one.
"Could 1t be said that Tiffany, who
died within - hours, starved to death?"
asked DIR. Conner.
1t could not" replied Mapor Appel.
Tiffany, during the voyage, expressed
himself as well pleased with his treat
ment."
Witness did not regard him as a very
sick man. He was distinctly a con-
valescent. When he took charge. later.
Of the Pablo Beach hospital. IL was not
i'm good condition. A volunteer officer,
DIR. Arto. had been in charge.