The record-union., 1898-12-10
Colonel Hecker Testlfies Before the
Commissioners
Relative to Transportation to Spain Of
Spanish Prisoners at Santiago.
The Colonel Resents Charges Made
Against His Office by William
e. Ryan, and Asks That He Be
Confronted With His Accusers.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.-The trans
portation to- Spain by the United States
of the Spanish prisoners at Santiago
was taken up by the War investigation
Commission to-day, and Colonel Heck
er, who made the contract for the
United States, was recalled to testify
on this point.
He said there had been a combine
of New York shipping concerns, which
would have caused an outlay OF
81, 100000, while the actual outlay
made was $513,0 ,000 The lowest bid
was from a Philadelphia junk dealer,
who, however, had no visible means
of executing the contract, and ad-
mitted his own doubt as to getting suf~
ficient bonds This Philadelphian, Cola
onel Hecker testified, protested against
not being awarded the contract, on
the ground that he had q chance to
make some money out of it"
The most feasible bidder was the
Spanish Transatlantic Company. Their
bid, unlike the others, relieved the
Government of all medical attendances
and finally on the Governments rep@
resentations, the company agreed I'd
reduce it's figures to $1S0.00O.
What induced the Government to
send those people to SpainY was
asked.
Il don't know The terms Of surs
render provided for it,
Colonel Hecker read a long state
ment signed by William E Ryan. de-
failing the methods of the Transporter
ton Bureau, in connection with the
attempted sale of ships to the Govern
ment. Colonel Hecker said he did
not know Ryan.
Several members of the commission
said they would be glad to summon
Ryan, if he could be found.
Asked if he was ever approached by
President Mckinley relative to the
purchase of ships, Colonel Hecker re-
Piled: Never but once. He spoke to
me once about water barge, for which
there was no use at the time, and Z
so informed him. L never had any
other communication from him either
directly or Indirectly
What part did the firm of which
Abner Mckinley is member play in
the sale of the ships?" asked ex-Gov-
ernor Woodbury..
None at all, as to the army" re-
piled Colonel Hecker. Il do not know
as to the navy
Asked as to Ryans charge that there
was subordinate in Colonel Heckers
office who exercised much influence,
and could be approached. Colonel
Hecker replied that negotiations were
conducted directly, and that no sub
ordinate in the office could have exer-
cised any influence. That was the
first direct charge of corruption he
had seen against himself, as he con-
sidered himself responsible for what
went on in his office. He should, he
said, like to be confronted with Ryan.
The commission decided to summon
Ryan if he could be found
Surgeon NJ E. Apple, the next witt
ness, was examined as to the camp
site and division hospital at Miami,
Fla. He did not think that Miami was
a good place for a camp, but knew
nothing about the reasons for it's selec-
ton. The equipment of the hospital
there was gSod, but at times the water
supply was insufficient. Witness said
he had requested some Red Cross
nurses of DIR. Kent for service with the
typhoid patients, but before they ar
rived he had been instructed by Chief
Surgeon Moss not to accept them.
Major J. H. Appel brother 1< the
preceding witness, followed. He was
in charge of the hospital at Tampa
Hights until June Sth, when he took
charge of the Olivette, which accom-
panied Skaters army to Santiago.
He said the hospital at Tampa was
well equipped and supplied; that the
patients received proper care and at
tention, and that the conditions gener-
ally were thoroughly satisfactory.
There were no complaints.