The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-04
MAY DISMISS CAPT. WRIGLEY.
MAJ. RUTHERs DISSATISFIED WITH
HIS CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.

Eep0rted That Recommendation
Has Gone to Washington to Re-
move the Quartermnster of the
Transport ROumaninn-VOIunt
QUartcrmasters Not Entirely Sat
isfactory-Strict Orders Issued
Against Further Sales of Liquor on
Transports.
When the Roumanian left port yesterday
Capt. Wrgley went with her as quarter
master. a position he has been filing for
some months. When he returns to Sa-
vannah from Havana in about a week
there is a probability that he may find
an official document from Washington no.
tifying him of his removal from the mas
ter's place on the transport. If this oc-
ours 1T viii be the result of a recommen-
dalton. or request, to that effect sent 10
the department by Mai. Ruthers, depot
commissary.
The reported accommodation for
Capt Wrigleys dropping from the
transport service is said TO be
based on some matters that have
N'AiAH hiiNtNl -hAuJs 4NlttAA1is OAINl ANN
He was, it is reported. not satisfied with
the conduct OF the affairs of the vessel
and it has been gossipped for the last two
days that be had decided on this step.
Capt Wrigiey is reported to have been
aware Of what was ahead before he left
Savannah.
Maj. Ruthers was asked yesterday about
the matter lie practically acknowledged
the accuracy of the information which
had got out about his action by express
ing surprise that such official business be
tween the department and Washington
should become a matter of pubic talk
Owing to his position though, and the rig
idity of regulations he would not discuss
the matter IN anyway. 1T would be i'm
proper for me TO so into the newspapers
with my official business" said he, What
ever recommendations / may or may not
make to the headquarters should come
from there if it is deemed advisable to
sive them publicity"
There has recently been considerable
trouble on The Roumaniau. Several men
who have been discharged have made
complaints and out of the discharge of
Steward McClan have grown reports that
have been given considerable publicity as
to the sales Of liquors on the transport to
soldiers extending over quite a long pc
Rod Mai Ruthers is understood 10 have
gone on the vessel in his capacity of an
inspecting officer and TO have been dis
satisfied with the conduct of affairs.
Whether the stories told by the steward
and others had any effect in inducing him
to send certain recommendations to
headquarters is not known II is not i'm
probable. however, that ne has paid some
attention 20 them in the line of his duties,
and there may have been a quiet inves-
tgation by him.
The quartermaster service on the trans
ports has not been in some instances, OF
the most satisfactory character. When
the Manitoba comes into Savannah from
her trip to Cuba from Charleston she will
have aboard a new quartermaster. II is
reported that there have been other
changes. or that there is a likelihood OF
others in the near future,
Stringent orders have been issued from
Washington in regard to the carrying and
selling of liquors on the transports to sol
diers. The sale of liquors at one time
must have come close to the verge of a
scandal Nearly every one of the trans
ports was probably running a bar and
getting rid of considerable liquor TO the
soldiers. something said to have been I'M
heard Of before on a military transport.
Whoever started doing il Is not known.
! but from what is heard pre-
cious near all fell into line On
some of the transports the charge was
made that there were exorbitaut prices
and big profits in the business for the stew
ards or somebody. The selling of liquor
appears to have run on for some time be
fore the general officers got their eyes on
il and then there was a speedy stoDpage
10 IT, Ii was never permissible and doubt
less grew out Of the absence of any spe-