The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-25

PARIS, Dec 2L-Thirty ears. forming
part OF the United States government ex-
nibit at the recent Paris exposition were
suddenly laid under embargo today at
Havre, the railroad company Ccciining
to surrender them pending payment of
claim OF 10 francs. This extraordinary
action. seriously delaying the departure
of the United States auxiliary cruiser
Prairie from Havre for New York with
the government exhibits, was made the
subject Of a formal protest to the French
government by United States Ambassador
Porter
The company bases Its claim on demur-
rage charges on freight In the cars when
the goods were brought to the exposition
for installation. Some time ago the claim
was submitted and Mai. Brackett secrc-
tary OF the American commission. In
vestigated II and concluded that II had
no foundation. as Some of the cars
charged Bgainst the American govern
ment never contained official exhibits,
while the others were cars utilized by
private exhibitors and not therefore
chargeahle 10 tho United States.
Maj. Bfackett endeavorcd to secure a
settlement. hut without avail The mat
ter dragged along through the summer.
the secretary ot the American commits
sion repeatedly expressing his willingness
to settle any just claim against the United
States. The company left The case In an
unsatisfactory condition and finally en-
bargoed the cars.
When Mai. Brackett was Informed by
the United States agent at Havre he
wired him Instructions 10 pay 10 the
company $40 francs In the presence Of
the legal authorities and at tho Same
time to enter claim against the conn
pany for i0.coo francs as damages for OBJ
struction and delay.
Last summer the company submitted
bill OF sz.7sa francs for freight charges
against the commission" he said today.
"and pressed for payment. Pending an
explanation of certain items | paid 5000
francs ON account. at he same time ask
ing for details When these were fur
nshed discovered that the commission
had been charged with s.is9 francs which
should have been charged 10 the Conn
pagnie Generate Transatlantique. while
f,lie francs should have been charged 10
private exhibitors. The company is
therefore obliged to make rebate"
Tomorrow being a holiday. there will be
no loading of the Prairie. The cars VIII
be released by the payment of the 100
francs. should Wednesday not bring a
satisfactory solution. Mai Bfackett win
probably pay Tho rest OF the claim under
protest. In order not TO delay further the
sailing Of the Prairie. Az the same time
he win enter an additional claim tor
damages.
More Trouble DeveIop~s.
Some trouble also arose with phiiip La
zies. The contractor who built the national
pavilion. lie wrote the American COM
mission December IS. saying that the last
letter from Commissioner General Peck
was not satisfactory. and asking when
the building would be turned over 10 him
for demolition. Two days later he noti-
He'd the eommission that he Intended ~
take possession and hegin destruction ini-
mediaieiy. He Ia turn was informed that
the building would 10 placed under hts
control December ~. aud that al formal
meeting he waS notified that the commits.
sion woula remove certain furnishings not
supplied BY him. proposition 20 which
IFS representative did not object.
Saturday night. while tha American cux-
t0dlan of the building. assisted ~ tw0
wofkmeu. was removing mstefial besenR-
ing % the United States force 81 police
arrived and arrested aH three, en- The
ground that thcy we're taking Ko0gs whieh
Old not belong 70 thern. Il to nAia ghMf
". f.axiea brought about the arrests Mai
Brackttt secured their release ioday
~. I4sxles served him with icaai no
tiee that he would nat aceepf fhe pavilion
iu its present shape. ana would demand