The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-10

Special Dispatch Ia the Post-Tntengencer.
WASHINGTON. June 9.--Carter Of Mon
tana created a sensation in the senate to-
day when he charged clearly that the San
Francisco ship owners were trying TO hold
/ UP the government in the matter OF de-
manding exorbttant prices for transports
aui stoutiy declared that there was a con-
spraey against the steamship Centennial.
chartered a Seattle after proper inspec-
ton and then declared unseaworthy in san
Francisco.
When the senate convened CsaIinger of
New Hampshire reported from the com
mittee on commerce a bill providing Amer
lean registry for the steamers Olympia.
. Victoria. Tacoma Columbia, Arizona and
/ Argyle. Of the Northern Pacific Steamship
| Company. He expressed the hope the bill
would be passed at once. as the vessels
were needed TO transport troops to Ma
Mia. The vessels are at present flying the
British flag Gallinger said that the war
department had found II difficult 10 obtain
transports on the Pacific coast. He pointed
out that one of the vessels, the Centennial
had been found unsesworthy.
Perkins sarca sticaiiy INQUIRED Of Calling
er whether he supposed the vessels which
he proposed To- provide with American reg
istry were any better than the Centennial.
Galinger replied that the vessels were
satisfactory 10 the war department. Fur
ther than that he could not say. He knew
the committee on commerce was doing Its
duty and II would endeavor so far as pcs
sihie to protect the interests OF the govern
ment.
Carter entered upon an explanation OF
thu declaration that the Centennial was
seaworthy. This ship. he understood from
perfectly trustworthy sources. was a thor
oughIy sound vessel. She has been care
fully examined In Puget sound by properly
designated officers Of the government. and
had been declared absolutely seawor;hy.
She had been given tirst-ciass clearance
by the British authorities and was regard
Ell hy those competent TO Judge a fine
vessel She had been 4 japanese transport
IN the war between Japan and China, and
The fact seems 10 be said Garter. that
a number of gentlemen engaged IN ship
ping on The Pacific coast have been en-
gagged In holding up he United States gov
ernment FOR exorbitant prices for trans
ports The arrival 81 the Centennial n
san Francisco and the granting to her az
an American register was q notice 10 the
patriots, gentlemen who were endeavor'ng
- hold up the government that their mo-
Hopoly WAS broken ana they entered into
a conspiracy 20 break down the reputation
% fhe vessel Secretary Alger ordered that
another examination bc made Of the Cen
tcnniAl, and it was no, deemed advisable
- take any chances Of sending troops II
the Philippines iu an uuseawprtEy hoaf"
This report was set I'D against
the tive reports which had been
made from Puget sound. the examination
upon which enc Of the latter had been
based having been made IN dry dock. This
waole transaction bears the ear marks of
a precoBcerted scheme on the part OF the
SIn Francisco chip owners 10 hold up the
government ard force It 10 pay inorinate
and extorti9raie prices.
1T may 10 that tie naval officers who in
specsed ;ais vessel al Puget sound. ho;h In
ard out of the dry dock made egrrgious
mistakes Notwithstanding they We're In no
seuae in collision having made the exam
luattcns ~ different times and places. =
may Ne :hat both weT~ n2,ess AIKEN. II may
te that Capt Robinson. qUar;ersna.ster a
gentleman of high character. stationed at
seattle vas mistaken when he reported
% the war dcrar 11eut that this vessel
was oua % tlt, ss.4lnchesf 10 be found tn
Pacific waters. II nav that these gentle
uvn WHO desired - eet ki.ts" per day fer
he NuTEa0 steamer We're correct IL saving
tae Centennial should fe 50. aside and the
MORGAN steamer taken ia her place
Spoo0er~NlE the gentleman from Mon
ta1k allow
t-avter-I'eF5&isly
Saooner-t have known car Robinson
for many years. 8e s q resident c. VS.
eous5n ard ore OF gae most fataf3 and ef-
sctsnf o}icerS ~ the service
Cseter-f tains the STATEN, III o. tra sere-
tcF from Wisconsin does nothing bur faS-
ttea 10 capt Robinson. from reports
iava heard concerning 'eat officer
The senator from California y t4ra-3ar
! WITH tAe steamship business 4. Sar Fran
$40 ft@ probably ts familiar with ire
fxari~s Officer az SaU Francisco wha sas,.
me t~e-tenf.al had A-eer condemned fu.
ws.l say .o p m th8e a. the inception ~
;ae crusade aca'ust tsis vessel tha mari~e
officer a san Francisco II whom ! r@fe-
crenlv published over his owf. Signature
AT interview regarding he previous zee
cvs3 ~ fhts vessel 'hat the statements made
wege aosola.els false ard must Aave been
kncwn 20 Asu1 fe aave pee1 false
n sac~=stt- property uaAe by fHe a.
sss-Ant secretary nf war i taat 1azS Ve~se'