The times., 1898-12-04
M'KAY BLAMES SAMPSON
The Naval Officer Hurried the
Cuban Expedition.
LOADING THE TRANSPORT Is
There Was Considerable HastIirg
Toward the Last at TamPa-The
tinue Through the Conversational
scssion-Tnik of Trip to Cuba.

IA
Owing TO the great many witnesses yet
to be examined by the Alger Relief Com
mission. 1t is not believed that its labors
will be concluded until after the adjourn
ment of the coming session of Congress.
The Commission is behind in its consider
alton of dozens of the reports from the
heads OF the War Department bureaus,
and much time is 10 be devoted to this
work. Col. Roosevelt's suggestion that
his report of the conditions in Cuba be
considered has not been overlooked, and
ii was said yesterday by Il member that
Il has been called for next week, and
will be given to the press.
The question of going to Cuba and
Porto Rico Is being seriously thought of
by the Commission. There are many Of
ficers away from the United States that
IL is felt should be questioned. The state
ments of Gen. Brooke, who is in Porto
Rico. and Col. Humphrey, now in Cuba,
are desired. and, as they cannot very well
return to the United States this Winter.
it is believed the Relief Commission will
soon make the trip to secure the needed
testimony, and. at the same time, make
an inspection of the ground at Siboney
and Baiquiri.
Capt. Mckay, who superintended the
embarkation of the Santiago expedition,
testified yesterday that all the transports
leaving Santiago were inspected except
the Concho. but not by himself. All were
fully supplied. and the Allegheny, which
has been criticised, he thought, was one
OF the best ventilated of all.
The Seneca. which took the sick from
Siboney, and on which witness came
North. was overcrowded. and men lay on
the decks. She had ice for only two days.
he said.
There were two contract surgeons on
board. Some parts of the vessel might
have been cleaner. He did not see the
steward sell delicacies to the sick. but
he sold beer to the officers.
The reason ice ran out on the trans
ports was because they could not carry
enough Transports were not allowed 10
20 to Jamaica for ice and water. because
it was learned that they could not be got
there
He denied that Col Pope, OF the rne.li-
cal department. had ever applied to him
for transportation for medical supplies.
There would have been no trouble In
getting medical supplies ashore had an
application been made TO me. Ii could
have been accomplished without de'ay.'
he said.
Did the medical officers know that you
had charge sf this work." he was asked.
= don't see why they did not. DR.. Pope
knew IT, because when we first arrived he
consulted me about hospital ship. and
showed him the oliyette. My position
was known to Major Jacobs"
Did you have ample time to get the
transports ali loaded at Tampa for the
Cuban expedition Gen. Wilson asked.
There was considerable hurrying to-
ward the last"
Why
..IxeII, the admiral was wiring about the
expedition and orders were being received
constantly TO hurry up.
What sanniral?'
Admiral Sampson.
"Where did you get your information?'
From talking with Col. Humphrey
Capt George w Gothal, of the En-
sineeT Corps. who made surveys at Camp
Thomas. testified that the headquarters,
as well as the regimental camps, were
very dirty. The health of the men was
sacrificed to get drill grounds. No gem
eral effort was made to air the tent sites
during tile day, and there was no general
shifting os the camps to new sites. A
regiment would depart. and another
would OCCUPY the same place
Col. James NJ Moore, assistant quarter
master general of the army, was the next
witness examined. He denied that the
hat submitted by Mr. Knox was superior
10 the sample accepted by the depart
ment. All experts agreed that the hats
accepted were superior.
Col Mopre told the commission that
there is mach difference of opinion as to
the proper clothing for soldiers in Cuba.
The queGNon is being considered now, he
said. but the department commander diff
fered in opinion from a board of officers
appointed to report on suitable uniform.
Information was next furnished about
the Plant System charges at Tampa Col.
Moore having been sent there to make
an investigation and look after the IN
terests of the Government.
In the short time he stayed at Tampa,
he said. he was able to save the Govern
ment about 100000. One bill alone he re-
duced 500 $50. This was just about one
half the original cost. The wharfage on
coal was reduced from % cents to q
cents per ton. A similar reduction was
made on the wharfage for horses. The
Plant Company made charge of 10
cents per man for wharfage. but, upon
protest by Col. Moore, the entire charge
was eliminated.
At Tampa all water useA by the troops
had to be paid for by the Government
This was not true in all the cities. Nc
charge was made in New Orleans
This concluded the examination of wit
nesses. and the Commission held an eX
ecutive session to discuss several report,
now under considera ton