The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-06-10

Centennial as a transport, made some
ugly charges against the ship-owners
on the Pacific Coast. He said they
had been endeavoring to hold ZIP the
Government and compel it to LAY in
ordinate and extraordinary prices for
ships to be used to transport troops
to the Philippines.
Perkins of California denied the
statements of Carter, declaring that
: the vessel owners of San Francisco had
placed their ships at the disposal Of
the Government at a rate fully 30 per
cent. less than they usually receive for
them.
Lodge of Massachusetts made some
sensational disclosures concerning the
disposition of the money appropriated
by Congress a short time ago in pay
ment of the claims of the book con-
Germ of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South. He introduced a resolution al
recting the Claims Committee to make
an investigation of the matter and re-
port to the Senate what if any, action
could be taken.
The omnibus claim BILL" carrying
something over 50 900 600 forty private
pension bills and several measures from
the general calendar We're passed.
When the Senate convened a bill
making certain grants of land to the
Territory of New Mexico for educa-
tional purposes was reported by the
Committee on Public Lands and passed
Gallinger of New Hampshire reported
from the Committee on Commerce a
bill providing American registry for
the steamers Olympia, Victoria, Ia
coma. Columbia, Arizona and Argyle
of the Northern Pacific Railroad Com
pany. He expressed the hope that
the bill would be passed. as the steam
ships We're needed by the Government
to transport troops to Manila, Philip
pine Islands The vessels are at pres
ent flying the British flag
Gallinger said that the War Depart
ment had found it difficult to obtain
transport ships on the Pacific Coast.
One OF the vessels secured, the Centen-
nial, had been found unseaworthy. and
1t was the purpose of the Committee
on Commerce to take steps to secure
the repeal of the Act providing Amer
lean registry for the Centennial.
The statement gave rise to a discus
sion that developed some sensational
disclosures.
Perkins of California sarcastically in
posed the vessels which he proposed
to provide with American registry were
any better than the Centennial had
proved.
Gallinger replied that the vessels were
Further than that he could not say.
was doing its duty, ami it would ne
n aof
the interests of the Government
Carter of Montana entered upon an
explanation of the declaration that the
Centennial was seaworthy. The ship.
he understood from perfectly trust
worthy sources, was a thoroughly
sound vessel. She had been carefully
examined in Puget Sound by properly
designated officers of the Government,
and had been declared absolutely sea-
worthy. She had been given a first
class clearance by the British authori-
ties. and was regarded by those COM
petent to judge as a fine vessel She
had been japanese transport in the
war between Japan and China and had
performed most satisfactory service.
The fact seems to be-" said Garter,
that number of gentlemen engaged
in shipping on the Pacific have been
engaged in holding up this Government
for exorbitant prices for transport
ships. The arrival of the Centennial, a I
San Francisco and the granting 10 her
of an American register was a notice
to the patriotic gentlemen who were
endeavoring to get the Government by
the throat that their monopoly WAS
broken, and they entered into a conspir-
acy to break down the reputation Of
the vessel. Secretary Alger ordered
that another examination be made of
the Centennial, and it was not deemed
advisable TO take any chances of send :
ing troops to the Philippines in an un-
seaworthy vessel This report. said
Carter. was set up against the two re-
ports which had been made from Puget
Sound. the examination upon which
one of the latter had been based hav-
ing been made in drydock
This whole transaction" declared
Carter. bears the earmarks of a pre-
concerted scheme on the part of the
San Francisco shipowners TO hold up
the Government and force it to pay in
ordinate and extortionate transport
charges"
Perkins OF California said he desired
to enter a word in defense of the San
Francisco shipowners. So far as the
company with which he was ccnnectei
was concerned it had declined to char
ter its ships 70 the Government There
fore it could not he included in the de-
nunciation of Carter. He knew Of his
personal knowledge that c. p. Hunt
ington Of the Pacific Mail Steams hip
Company had placed the vessels of his
company AT the disposal Of the Gov
eminent. The China. City of Sydney
and other ships of the company had
been offered to the Government for
fully ~ per cent. less than they could
command on the Atlantic Coast. Mr..
Spreckels had done the same with the
vessels of his line. Other San Fran
cisco shipowners had offered their yes
sci to the Government at its own price.
1.-The loyalty of the people of Cali
fornia." declared Perkins. cannot be
fmpugned The Pacific States. Califor-
MIA. Washington and Oregon. will never
be found lacking in patriotism. and
none of them. none Of their citizens,
will ever attempt TO extort cent from
the Government. The aspersions Of
nv friend from Montana We're uncalled
for and unwarranted by the facts"
The measure offered by Gallinger.