The evening times., 1900-09-22

it is estimated that in a few months the
bank cleared about $2,500,0 GOO.
Abner Mckinley, brother OF the Presi-
dent, has tseu responsible for much of the
scandal which has attached to the Admin
istration. During the Spanish American
war he was said 20 have been retained by
large number of the firms and corpora
ttons that desired to profit by the lavish
expenditure OF Government funds. The
precise weight of his influence was never
known. but he was popularity credited with
pulling Off all the big events in which
he entered.
During tae entire period that his name
was mentioned in connection with the let
ting Of these contracts he was frequent
visitor at the Executive Mansion.
The scandal caused by the activity OF
Abner Mckinley finally became SO great
that Senator Hanna called the attention OF
both brothers TO the injury being done to
the Republican party. Indeed. certain
members of the Republican National
gathering evidence regarding the opera
tions of Abner, with the view OF having
it given to a newspaper, the intention be-
ing to open the Presidents eyes to the
damage being wrought by his brother. But
when the work Of collecting this data was
about completed the war ended and Abner
ceased to be the important factor he was
during the eontraet-letting days. The ne
cessity for publication thus being obyiated,
the facts were suppressed.
Fayoritc Sons Appointed
The fayoritism shown the sons of dis
tinguished public men in Army appoint
ments has caused a scandal of no mean
pretensions- The selection of officers for
the volunteer army during the Spanish
American war was based largely on pa
rentage and not merit. The son of a
prominent statesman or public official
could obtain commission without regard
TO experience or qualifications In this
way the troops were in many instances
placed under the leadership of most in
competent officers.
1t finally became practically impossible
for commission TO be secured unless the
applicants father. grandfather, or some
other near relative was of national repu-
tatien and commanding influence Sons
OF SomebodieS" became the officers, while
men of practical experience and military
training were compelled to forego service
or enlist as privates.
The construction of the Triscornia Rail-
road, running a distance of six miles
around Havana, became a public scandal
The road was constructed at the instiga-
tion of Frank ]. Hecker when Alger was
Secretary of War, under the plea of mill
tary necessity
The American Indies Company, of
which r. A. G. Smith is president, per-
formed the work under contract There
was Ec competitive bidding The actual
cost OF this road up TO date has been
$780, 000. In addition claims for right of
way have been fled aggregating $3.50, ,OG0
These are now being adjusted by an army
board All Of them will be scaled, leav-
ing the cost of the railroad about $500 GOO
or 100000 mile. It has been estimated
that $4,000 mile would have been a big
price for constructing the railroad.
The TrlScornia Toadbed has never been
properly baliasted and is little but a bed
of soft clay. A proposition to expend $40
GOO more IL ballasting the road is now be-
ing held UP by Governor General Wood
The most powerful locomotives were pur-
chased for the new line and are entirely
useless, as the yielding roadbed will not
sustain their weight
As It now stands the Triscornia Rail-
road Is without value The money which
has aaen paid out for it has been taken
from the Cuban revenues
The profits on the construction of the
road were divided by the American Indies
Company with the Manhattan Construc-
tion Company, of New York, and Drake
Stratton & Co., of Philadelphia and Pitts
burg. This division was under private
agreement and had no relation to the con-
ISch SiSHeu ny SoioHei decker LOT the
War Department.
After this work of construction began
the contract was modified. An inferior
quality OF lumber was substituted for
hard pine The width of the embankment
was narrowed and cribs were used instead
of trestles- The road was not completed
until two months after the contract time
expired and then it was pronounced un-
safe for the transportation of troops-the
purpose for which it was originally de-
signed.
a Hawaiian Irrigation Ditch.