The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-18
SAVANNAH is SIDE-TRACKED.
HARBOR MUST GET ALONG THIS
YEAR ON a PALTRY $4,000.

OhhrSe Made That Engineer Officers
Have Worked Harder for the Con-
VictiOn of Capt. Carter Than for
the Improvement OF the Harbor.
Early Action in His Case Expected.
Col. Barr Asked to submit an An
swer.
Washington, Jan 17.-CSpeciaD. .-savan-
nah harbor will have to try and get along
with paltry appropriation of $4,000 for
the ensuing year, for it is understood the
committee on rivers and harbors is averse,
at this time. to entering upon the new
project by which it is proposed to give
that harbor a depth of 2S feet
The committee is holding daily sessions
with view to getting the bill before the
House as early as possible, with the hope
of securing its passage during the present
session.
The members of the committee are
pledged to secrecy, therefore it is difficult
to get at the details of the measure relat-
ing to Georgia and contiguous states.
am advised that the engineer officers of
lump appropriation for the new project
but limit their recommendations TO an ap-
preparation of $4,000 for maintaining the
present improvement in Savannah harbor
This amount, it is said, viii keep the
channel dredged and cleared until next
year when a more extensive river and
harbor bill will probably be framed.
The engineer officers are not opposed to
giving Savannah harbor a depth of 2S feet,
and they have promised to aid Represen-
tative Lester in his efforts in that dlrec-
ton next year. Way down under the sur
face there seems to be an unsatisfactory
condition of affairs growing out of the
complications surrounding the case Of
Capt. Carter.
Worked to Convict Carter.
BY some it is said that the engineers
office has shown greater diligence in try
ing to convict Capt. Carter than has been
displayed in connection with the improve
ment of Savannah harbor. Various COM
plants have reached the war department
to the effect that Capt. Gillette is indf-
ferent as to the work in Savannah har-
Dor, and most of his time and energies are
directed against the prosecution of his
predecessor. 1t has been suggested to the
war department that 1t might be to the
advantage Of the government, and certain
ly to the advantage of Savannah, If Capt.
Gillette were relieved from his present
duty and detailed elsewhere,
While the decision in the Garter case
hangs fire in the department of Justice,
there seems TO be no prospect of a change
in Capt. Gillette's station. There seems
TO be no question but what the Carter
case has aroused a prejudice against Sa-
vannah, which is now operating to her
disadvantage.
Early Action Expected.
The latest development in the Carter
case indicates early action by the Presi-
dent in promulgating the decision of the
court-martial. At the request of the At
torney General, Secretary Alger has
given orders to Col. T. F. Barr, assistant
judge advocate general, to confer with
Mr.. Griggs concerning the case of Capt
Carter This action is believed to mean
that the Attorney General proposes 10 i'm
mediately to take the Carter case under
consideration.
When / saw Mr.. Griggs a few days ago
he told me he did not believe he would be
able to get at the case for several months
I now understand that he is anxiuos that
Col. Barr, who was judge advocate of the
court that trled carter, small review the
arguments submitted in the accused off,
GERS behalf by his attorneys, and submit
an answer thereto.
Col. barr Called on.
Col. Barr is now in Chicago. His or
ders require him to come to this city with
out delay. 1t Is said by friends of Capt.
Carter that the statute of limitations can
not now intervene TO prevent action
against him on the charges of which he
was found guilty, no matter how great a
time may elapse before the President acts.
1t is different, however, with the Allan
tic Contracting Company, with which Car
ter is alleged to have engaged in conspir-
acy. If the department should delay ac-
ton against that company until next sum-
mer, the statue of limitations wouldn' t
permit suit against them.