The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-12-10

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.-The transpor-
tation to Spain by the United states
Of the Spanish prisoners surrendered
1t Santiago, was the subject taken up
~ the war investigating commission
today, and Colonel Hecker who made
the contract for the United states, was
recalled to testify.
Colonel Hecker said that New York
shipping concerns had formed a COM
hinaton which would have caused an
outlay of 100000, while the actual
outlay made was S513,0O0. Tho lowest
bid was from Philadelphia junk deal
er, who. however. had no visible means
uf executing the contract and admit
ted his own doubt as to getting suttt-
clent bond. The Philadelphian pro-
tested against not being awarded the
contract on the ground that he had "a
Cnancc to make some money out of it.
The most feasible bidder was the Span
ish Transatlantica company. That
company, unlike the others, offered to
relieve the United States government
Of ell medical attendance, and finally,
on tie governments representations,
the company agreed to reduce its fig
uTes by about SlS0,000.
What induced the government to
send those people to SPAIN was ask
ed.
Don't know. rhe terms of surren-
der provided for it,"
Culnrcl Heckor read a long statement
signed by William Il. Ryan detailing
the alleged methods of the transporta-
ton bureau liz connection with the at
tempted sale of certain ships to the
government. He said ne did not know
Ryan Several members of the COM
mission said they would be glad to
summon Ryan if he could be found.
Asked if he was ever approached by
Abner Mckinley relative to the pur-
chase Of ships. Colonel Hecker replied:
Never but once. He spoke to me once
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 direct
ly or Indirectly"
What part did the firm of which
Abner Mckinley is a member, play in
the sale of shipS?" asked Ex-Governor
Woodbury..
None at all as to the army replied
Colonel Hecker. Il do not know as to
the navy"
Asked as to Ryan's charge that
there was subordinate in Colonel
HeCkerS $ Office who exercised mucl
influence and could be approached
Colonel Hocker replied that the nego-
tiatiun5 We're conducted directly anC
that no subordinate in the Office cOulC
have exercised any influence. Tha
was the first direct charge of Corrup
ton he had seen against himself, Il.
he considered himself responsible fO1
what went or in his office He should
he said. like to be confronted will
Ryan.
Surgeon A. T.. Appel, the next wit
ness, was examined as to the cam
site and division hospital at Miami
Fla. He did not think Miami was ;
good place foI camp, but knew moth
ing about TIE reasons for its selection
The equipment of the hospital there
was good. but at times the water sup
ply IVES insufficient. Witness said h,
had requested DY. Kent to send som'
Red Cross nurses for service with th'
typhoid patients. but before they ar
rived he had been instructed by Chic
Surgeon Moss not to accept them.
Asked as to the conditions at Mon
tauk, DR.. Appel said that they err
generally satisfactory. lie found tha
there was much unfOunded complaint
He cited the case of Mrs. Arnold,
prominent New York woman, who com
planned Of the neAieCt of soldiers IA
Bellevue. she reported to him tina
two soldiers there were treated badly
he'd been struck hN their nurses am
desired to get away. He investigated
and found the soldiers perfectly salts
fled and opposed to being removed.
Rcvcrting again to the camD at Mi
ami, DR., Anpcll said that the news
papers reported scores of deaths
day. As a matter of fact. in July, on
Of Il camp of 1000 mcn there were Onl
twelve deaths.