The Van Buren press., 1900-06-09
SENATOR JONES' DEMAND.
The Arkansan Insists That q Detailed
Statement Of the Disposition Of
the $50,00O,O0O Spanish War
Fund be Made.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., May 81. The
feature of the Senate proceedings yes
terday was speech by Mr.. Jones Of
Arkansas, who made an emphatic de-
mand for an Immediate investigation
into the disposal by the President of the
CSC, 900, 900 voted him by Congress at
the outbreak Of the war with Spain.
Mr.. Jones declared that Mr.. Mckinley
should forward to the Senate q detailed
statement Of the manner In which he
had disposed OF the funds, and declared
he had heard all manner Of rumors W to
khe 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
thst" sp immediate investigation WAS
necessary, and charged that In q score
Of incidents men with u Republican
pull had secured share OF the fund.
he said that he would draw up reso.
tuition directing the President TO forward
10 Congress u detailed report on the
manner in which the e50, 300, 900 had
been used.
UMr, Mckinley should be pleased to
have this opportunity to clear himself
Of the fearful stories which are being
circulated, said the Senator. why,
no honest man would remain quiet and
have such tales told as we all hear daily,
II he could clear himself. personally
do not know that this money has been
used for campaign and pie. counter
purposes, but I propose to find out. /
have thus far been unable to obtain any
Information In regard to the matter
The Departments are mum, and 10 are
those who should know.
~ have heard that the War Depart.
,nent says go tho State Department.
whep figures are asked for In this
matter, and the State Department says
20 to the Navy Department. Now,
the President ought not to be afraid to
tell w what he did with the $50, 4, 900, 600,
II there has been boodling, his report
will show. Let him send us detailed
account OF expenditures showing to what
use the cash was put -,
"''As an instance, the Hazel case will
show that there IL need OF IN investi.
cation, especially when Republican
with u pull can sell yachts vt q big
commission. Hazel sold yacht valued
st &45, 900 for $50 900, and the govern.
ment later listed the yacht at $95, 900. -
"''Who was responsible for the pur'
chase Of this yachtf' asked Mr.. Tillman.
1.-THE Navy Department, suppose, "
said Mr.. Jones, "but the funds came
out OF the 800, ,000, 900. -
''How was II that when the Depart.
ment bought the yacht II appraised II Mt
S80, 200, and when II went TO sell, the
craft was only worth S25, ,000f" asked
Mr.. Tillman,
That's what am trying to get at, :"
said Mr.. Jones.
1.-THE air, said he, has become full
Of rumors that there has been the most
extravagant and unreasonable expen
ditures made ont OF that fund and, so
Tar ~ | know, there has been no
published report showing how the fund
was used,
In this connection MIR. Jones read and
commented upon the newspaper state
ments as to the connection Of John h,
Hazel dominated ~ judge Of the new
western district OF New York; with the
sale Of a yacht TO the government, on
which transaction Hazel received ", 900,
Tint, be said, was not single case
There wps not Senator who had not
heard or read OF vesnels bought under
almost Identical circumstances, Within
the lust twenty-four hours he had been
told of three vessels that had been
offered for hire TO the Navy Depart
ment Ut u certain figure that the offer
had beon refused that subsequently the
person making II had been admonishetl
that II he put the matter IN the hands Of
y certain gentleman haying relations
with tho Navy Department he would
probably succeed, and that he had done
to and had hired his vessels at twice as
INuoh M his iirst proposition,
In speaking of tho report of Commits
pi0ner General Peck, Mr.. Jones said
The President sent n statement II
answer to my resolution, said he
TshoWtng that over $3.50 200 WAS spent
IN the last two months Of tho work OF
The commission. The whole cost WI,
said to be u 900. 600 and Mr.. Peck re.
csiyed this amount. Now he only 90
counts Tor some e400, 900 IN his detailed
report required by Jaw and he now ask'
Tor On extra emerssncy appropriation o.
"''Now, whore Ia the balance OF th,
n, ,006' 'OOOs Where II the ta0. .000s
demand to know this. ! ask the Ap
0mnrAtIon Committee aud ! Ml, It o