The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-01

The fact that the Washington volun-
teers have voted that they would sooner
return 10 the United States by way CT
San Francisco than to come directly
home, has not abated the ardor OF their
relatives and friends in Seattle. and sttll
further efforts are to be made to have
the regiment brought home with its col
ors and arms as an organization. 1t -
believed that when the soldiers know tie
anxiety their home people have that they
come to the Sound instead OF going to
San Francisco and then arriving back
singly and dispensing to their various
homes without notice, they will Change
hsd cast their votes to favor tho San
Francisco route before they received the
cable message announcing that steps were
beng taken to arrange a gigantic celo-
lration to greet them upon their arrival
here.
I;ut that there may be no misunder-
standing. 1t has been decided to send
comprehensive statement by cable. with
an answer prepaid. telling the volunteers
lust what is being done for their recep-
ton. and the announcement that the peo-
pie Of Washington will repay all the loss
they might experience In the matter of
travel pay X they returned through the
Golden Gate.
The matter came up at the CHAMBER OF
Commerce meeting yesterday afternoon,
anG upon the suggestion of Gen. ]. 3. Met
calfe. a resolution was passed instrlcting
the committee In charge of the celenra-
ton to raise money enough to pay Cor
extended cabling to learn the exact feel
inGs Of the soldiers on the subject 1t will
REQUIRE 500 or more to do this, as tho
charge of cable messages from Seattle TO
Manila Is $2H a word. including the adj
dress and signature. In addition to this
as there Is a possibility that the regi
nent will not have left the islands before
another mail IS received from Seattle. the
president and secretary OF the chamber
will prepare a letter setting forth In more
detail what is being done here
II has been mentioned In q general way
that the war department was using the
matter Of losing their travel pay as an
argument against returning the volun-
teers homo to the Sound. but this letter.
which Is copy Of one sent to the Tacoma
Chamber OF Commerce, and Is from Sec
rotary r. A. Aiger. personally. sets forth
the views in Washington. The letter was
mailed from Washington under date of
May g:
IT the Washington troops, upon being
allowed to vote as to whether they wish
TO 30 to Puget Sound or to San Francisco
Tor muster-ont, decide to go TO Puget
sound. no matter what the Inconvenience
or the Quartersnaster's department NAV
be. they will De sent there. The only DIFF
acuity In the way is that 1t will make
men. according to rank, I'm travel pay IL
they land on Puget Sound I simply wish
TO act In accordance with the interests
OF the men. and am going to have the
matter LEFT to the vote of the regiment
as to where they wish to land under the
conditions II they choose to forego the
difference In money value the government
VIII be the gamer, and the men will have
tho pleasure Of landing with their arms
In their own state As far as I am con
cerned, ii will please me just as much to
Rave them 90 to the Puget Sound as to
San Francisco
United States Senator George c. Per
kfns. OF California. says he Is interested
In seeing that the Washington volunts ers
reach their own state first, upon return
ing from the War. and has written the
foiiowinS letter from San Francisco to
J d. Farrell president Of the Pacific
Coast Company which was turned over
TO the Chamber OF Commerce:
Your request seems to me Tn be a very
reasonable one. and should commend itself
10 the war department. especially as tho
troops from the state Of washngfon have
won such great distinction by their vaior
III the Philippine islands. and think they
are entitled to the courtesy you ak:
namely, OF being received in their own
state upon their arrival from the Orient
Inasmuch as your own senator's and cons
gressmen have presented this matter 10
the war department In It's most logical
and persuasive form, II would be pre-
sumption for me TO assume that I can
add any strength TO their petition.
VIII. however. write today 10 the secre-
tary Of war. Hon. r. A. Alger inrlose
him your letter to me- AMI state that I
hope he Will find II consistent with the
good OF the public service TO comply with
the request OF the people Of your state"