The record-union., 1898-11-23


Transports and the Work OF
Railroads in Transporting
Troops and Supplies.
NEW YORK, Nov 22.-The War In
vestigation Commission decided to-day
that it would not visit Monrauk Point,
the site of Camp Wikoff, in a body, but
would send a committee to prepare
report.
Mrs. Susan G. Powell Of this city was
the first witness. She said she did
not know why she had been called, as
she had never been at any of the
camps, and knew only by hearsay of
the treatment received by the soldiers.
I'VE called you," explained General
. Wilson, because we heard that when
you offered to go to camp as a nurse
you were not accepted, because you
would not agree to maintain secrecy
should you find any dereliction of duty.
We wish to know who expected such a
promise from you
II wish you would not ask x1e that
QUESTION"
But" said General Beaver, ''the an
swer might aid us materially in our in
Vestigation. To whom did you make
the offer to act as a nurse?"
TO an officer of the auxiliary Of the
Red Cross Society"
Was it a male or female officer of
the Red CROSSE"
II do not care to say"
Well had the officer any authority
at camp? Was it an officer in the
United States service?"
not know what authority the person
had in camp. My offer and it's rejec-
ton were made in a private house,
Since you have stated that said
General Wilson, would you mind tell
ing us whether you or the Red Cross
Society made the matter public?"
II do not know who could have told
of it. 1 do not remember having told
anyone but a clergyman. He may
have told Mr.. Roosevelt"
Colonel A. S. Kimball, Assistant Quar-
termaster General Of the United States
army, stationed in this city, was the
next witness. He said that all the
contracts for supplies were let to the
lowest bidder, after proper notification
and advertisements
Were there any exceptions to the
rule to award contracts to the lowest
bidder?" asked General Beaver.
In cases of bids or upon articles
upon which there were no standards,
the lowest responsible bidder was al
ways accepted" he replied
Answering Ex-Governor Woodbury.,
Colonel Kimball said: Contracts
were awarded by the department upon
the findings of the open bids Some
times in cases where the articles had
no standard the department would ac-
cept any recommendation which was
made in such cases of the quality of
the goods rather than the price In
the case for tents, for instance, it is
impossible to get enough canvas up to
the prescribed standard In that case
had to be guided by the samples sent
and the capacity of the bidders to FUR
nish the goods in the required time.
I never knew of any money or in
fiuence being used in the matter of
awarding contracts. My records show
that from May 18th to June 18th my
office expended "a ,607 900 for clothing
and camp garrison equipment"
Colonel Kimball told of the purchase
and hire of transports in this city. He
explained that he had obtained !. list
from the owners of the ships that could
be purchased or chartered, and had
submitted the list to Washington.
When middle-man or broker came
to my office l ignored him entirely. I
dealt only with principals
WAS the price paid for the charter
Of those ships fair and reasonable?"
asked DR.. Conner.
Yes, / think so, generally replied
Colonel Kimball, "but when ships were
wanted badly they were hard to get
In the case of the Clyde and MALLORY
lines, for instance, when the Govern
ment offered the usual price the compa-
MES said they could not spare the ships
unless double that price was paid. The
ships We're needed, and the Government
paid the price asked
Colonel Kimball told at length Of the
work of the railroads in transporting
troops and supplies. He said there was
not a movement of any magnitude
made to or from this city which was
not made as the result of open competi-
tion.
George Wallace, a lawyer of Freeport,
L. l., who had a son and a brother in
the war, testified that while at Camp
Wikon looking for his son he saw many
soldiers struggling along the roadway,
apparently too weak to move.
MT Wallace's son returned from
cuba on the Berkshire He was put
aboard in a precarious condition. and
slateroom was assigned to him. The
ooetor ordered him a special diet. but
ne was unable to get food without pay
ing 80 cents for each meal. He had no
money, but a friend Of Mr. Wallace's,
VINO was aboard, advanced it to him
NOW. what I want to know said
S9r wallace to the commission. "is why
1t should have been necessary for sick
men IN Uncle Sans service to pay for
the 1000 prescribed for them by Uncle
sam doctors? Three of my sons
comrades died on the Berkshire. and I
have often wondered if thew died be-
cause. they had no money to pay for
food
Colonel Roosevelt took tbe stand.
and in reply to request from Gem
eral Wilson told of the equipment and
mastering Of the First Volunteer Cav
airy. known as the Rough Riders.
When We reached Tampa Colonel
Roosevelt said, there was q. condition
of utter confusion. We were dumped
outside, a mile away from our camp.
No one knew where the camp was.