The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-22

EXTRA ALLOWANCES FOR OFFICERS.
Secretary Root Makes a Statement as to the
Charges of Extravaganza.
(By the Associated Press. J

Washington, April 21.-Secretary Root
made brief statement at the War De-
partment today in reference to the charge
that eXtravagant allOtments had been
made to the principal army officers serv-
ing in Cuba for the maintenance OF their
establishments out of the revenues CT
the islands He said that about a year
ago, before he came into office, ropresen-
tations were made that it was impossible
for army officers to live on their salaries
in Cuba. The question of providing for
their extra expenses out of the revenues
of the island was suggested to Secretary
Alger and the Attorney General was call
ed upon for an opinion on this subject.
The latter held that there was no legal
objection to such a procedure and his
opinion was approved by the then Secre-
tary of War
Secretary Root said that allotments
with the Attorney Generals opinion. and
they have since been continued. In re-
Spouse to direct inquiry, he said that
allotments for extra expenses had heen
made to four officers namely the Mill
tary Governor of the island, the Military
Governor of the city of Havana, the Col
Treasurer of the island, The Secretary
said that he did not r"eall the exa:t
amount of the allotment in each case. but
that altogether they did not exceed $15,-
600 or SIG, 600 year. In answer to anoth-
er question, Secretary Root said that Col
onel Black, the engineer officer at Havan-
ma, did not receive any extra allowance but
that he was certainly entitled to IL. Al
though showing that the plan was fully
approved by him. Secretary Root made
it clear that it was originated by his pre-
decessor, Secretary Alger.
At the time of the original allowance,
the office of Governor General was held
by General Brooke who recently was sue
ceeded by General Wood, the incumbent.
General William Ludlow was the military
Governor of Havana and received and al
lowance as such. The office held by
him has been abolished to take erect on
the first prox. The military department
formerly in his command has been merg-
ed into the Department of Havana and
Pinar del Rio in command of General Lee.
1t is not known whether the latter officer
will receive the allowance heretofore
made to General Ludlow, but it is fair
assumption that he will.
The other two officers favored with eX
ira allowances are Colonel T. n. Bliss
of the Commissary Department, who
| holds the office of Collector of the Port OF
| Havana, and Major Eugene f. Ladd,
| Quartermaster of Volunteers and Capital
| of the Ninth cavalry, who performs the
| functions of Treasurer of the island.
Secretary Root further stated that full
| particulars of the transaction Will be fur'
| nished to Congress in response to the
resolution of Senator Bacon in the event
of the passage of that measure. The re-
| ply will include a copy of the opinion o
the Attorney General upon which the ac-
tion of the War Department is based.
The Secretary was asked if similar al
| lowances for extra expenses were MADE
! in the cases of officers in Porto Rico OF
in the Philippines and he replied mos
| emphatcally No