The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-01


the Affairs of the Paris Commission
The feature of the Senate proceedings
yesterday was a speech by Mr.. Jones OF
Arkansas, who made an emphatic demand
for an immediate investigation into the
disposal by the President of the s50,o00,000
voted him by Congress at the outbreak of
the war with Spain. Mr.. Jones declared
that Mr. Mckinley should forward TO the
Senate a detailed statement of the man
ner In which he had disposed of the funds.
and declared that he had heard all man
ner of rumors as TO the misuse OF this
money. and had heard numerous charges
OF boodling. He stated that the Hazel
case was but one Of the many incidents
which showed that an immediate investi-
cation was necessary, aac charged that in
a score OF incidents, men with Repub-
lcan pull had secured share of the fund.
He said that he would draw up resolu-
tion directing the President to forward to
Congress detailed report on the man
ner in which the $50, 00Q, GOO had been used.
mir. Mckinley should be pleased to
have this opportunity to clear himself
Of the fearful stories which are being cir
culeted," said the Senator. why, no
honest man would remain quiet and have
such tales told as We all hear daily, If
be could clear himself. l personally do
not know that this money has been USED
for campaign and pie-counter purposes
but propose to find out. / have thus lar
been unable to obtain any information in
regard to the matter. The Departments
are mum and SO are those who should
know.
1T is openly charged on the streets and
in the press that boodling was resorted
to: that the most unwarranted and ex-
travagant expenditures were made Tor the
sake of political pull, and that good Be-
publicans made fortunes through our mis-
fortune of war"
Mr.. Jones also brought up the report OF
Commissioner General Peck, of his ex-
penses In preparing for the Paris Expo
sition, and claiming right TO do thls, as
long as Exposition matters were up,
stating that the report had fshy look to
him.
al want to find out what the President
did with the $50, 000, 900 placed in his hands
by Congress at the outbreak of the wal"
said Nj. Jones, during the consideration OF
the Suudry Civil bill II want to know
how he spent this and to whom he gave
it, / have heard all kinds OF stories OF
boodling and extravaganza In this matter
and want full and complete accounting.
II have heard that the War Department
says go TO the State Department, when
figures are asked for in this matter, and
the State Department says go to the Navy
Departmeut.' Now, the President ought
not to be afraid to tell US what he did with
the $50. 600. GOO. If there has been bood-
ling, his report will show. Let him seha
Ms detailed account of expenditures show
ing to what use the cash was put
'As an instance the Hazel case VIII
show that there is need OF an invesuga-
: ition. especially when a Republican with
null can sell yachts at a big commission.
Hazel sold yacht valued al S4o,oug ioT
$4,000 and the Government later listed
the yacht at $4,000"
who was responsible for the purchase
of this YACHT" asked Mr.. Tillman.
THE Navy Department, l suppose said
Mr.. Jones, but the funds came out OF TIE
$50, 600 .0e0.'
"How was it that when the Department
bought the yacht 1t appraised il at $4,000,
and when IL went to sell, the craft was
only worth s25, 0oO?" asked Mr.. Tillman-
That's what / am trying to get al,
said Mr.. Jones.
The air." said he, has been full OF
rumors that there have been the most
extravagant and unreasonable expenditures
made out Of that fund; and, SO far as l
know, there has been no published report
showing how the fund was used.
! In this connection Mr.. Jones read and
commented upon the newspaper statements
as to the connection of John r. Hazel
Nominated as judge Of the new western
district of New York; with the sale OF a
yacht to the Government, on which trans
action Hazel received $1,000.
That, he said, was not single case.
hA had M
heard or read OF vessels bought under
almost identical circumstances. Within
the last twenty-four hours he had been
todd of three vessels that had been offered
for hire to the Navy Department at
certain figure; that the oner had been
refused; that subsequently,, the person
making 1t had been admonished that II
he put the matter in the hands OF GER
tain gentleman having relations with the
coed. and that he had done SO and had
hired his vessels at twice as much as his
first proposition.
Mr.. Jones then stated that he would
draw Up resolution directing the Presi-
dent to make detailed statement.
In speaking OF the report of Commits
sioner General Peck, Mr.. Jones said:
"The President sent a statement in an
swer to my resolution" said he, showing
two months of the work of the commission.
The whole cost was said to be S1,200,000
and Mir. Peck received this amount. Now
he only accounts for some 100000 in his
detailed report required by law and he
now asks for an extra emergency appro-
priation of $4,000.
Now. where is the balance Of the ST.
ReD. coo? Where is the SS00.0o0? / demand
TO knew this. / ask the Appropriations
Committee and ask IL of Ferdinand W.
Peck, and / will find out too. Such items
as experts, $4,000 are not detailed re-
ports, and demand from the President
an accounting. ! want evers Senator to
read this report. 1t will open their eyes
"Who is the director of affairs, who has
drawn So 100? Who is the director of
mines. who has drawn $1,000? Who is a
director, who gets $4,000? How does this
man Dodge, called director Of agriculture
get his title and why has he drawn over
$4,000? He lives in this city and ] don't
see that he has done anything except draw
the money.
This man Peck does not give the resi-
dence OF a single human being nor the
reasons why salaries were paid 1t is time
this business should be put down and stop
ped"
II am afraid there has been some mis-
manasemen; at Paris" said Mr.. Hale THE
extra appropriation asked for was for new
buildings"
Mr.. Stewart asked Mr.. Jones If he knew
what Peck's business was before he was
appointed Commissioner General
IL have no idea," Mr.. Jones replied
IF he was a business man." Mr.. Stew
art added. there might be some sus-
picion of his honesty; and If he is not
business man it may be attributed to his