New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-01
PECK'S METHODS ASSAILED
PARIS EXPOSITION CONMISSIONER-GE GEN
ERAL SHARPLY CRITICISED
IN THE SENATE.
Icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE !

-
washington, May 31.-Ferdinand W. Peck, the
head of the Paris Exposition Commission. is the
latest administrator 10 be charged in the Senate
with unbusinesslfke vagueness in making returns
of expenditures incurred by hts agents and sub
ordnates. Mr.. Jones, of Arkansas. has for some
time been complaining of the failure of the Paris
Exposition Commission furnish itemized
statement Of the disbursements made to insure
an adequate American exhibit at the Exposition
To-day, while the Sundry Civil Appropriation
bill was under discussion this complaint
renewed. and some lively criticism was aimed at
the prevailing system. which seems 20 permit
incomplete and delayed accounts on the part OF
various Government agents and commissions.
OF course no greater fault than vagueness was
charged against the reports Of the Governments
representatives a Paris.
Mr.. Jones pointed out that the law creating the
Commission made it mandatory on the Commits
sioner-General TO make a detailed report of his
expenditures to Congress. He read d message
from the President transmitting TO Congress
what was termed "a detailed statement of the
Exposition Commissions expenditures. The
statement contained only eleven items. the ag
gregate expenditures being $24O,oOO. Up TO Jan
uary l. 1900. Commissioner-General Peck had
accounted for less than $500 900 Of the 81 100000
appropriated for Exposition purposes. Mr. Jones
demanded TO know where the remainder Of the
appropriation had gone. The so-called detailed
statement contained such items as $1,000 for
clerk hire $3,72+ for personal travelling ex-
penses Of the Commissioner General, etc, which
Mr. Jones said were ridiculous as details" He
read a dispatch from Paris indicating that there
was rauch dissension among the members Of the
American Commission to the Exposition, some
of whom had been charged with an endeavor TO
compel American exhibitors to pay for the space
allotted TO them. He believed that an tnvestiga-
ton ought 10 be made. He then referred TO
deficiency appropriation that had already been
made and inquired what that was for
Mr. Hale in reply said that the greater part OF
it had been made for the completion of build
ings The Committee on Appropriations believed
the sum was necessary, although he personally
was Inclined to the opinion that the Paris Expo
stion was bad performance
Who is this person Peck" inquired Mr. Stew
art of Nevada
Il do not know replied Mr.. Jones
IF he is a business man" suggested Mr., Stew
art. there might be suspicion OF his honesty;
if not his recklessness may be attributed 10 his
ignorance"
What complain Of" continued Mr.. Jones lis
not that the committees of Congress have not
acted with due diligence but that no detailed
statements of the expenditures Of public money
have been made The arr has been full of ru-
raors that there have been the most extravaganr
and unreasonable expenditures of the fund pro-
vided for the American exhibit. and all know
there never has been any satisfactory report as
! TO how this money was used"
DEFENCE FUND EXPENDITURES.
Mr. Jones said ne desired 20 direct attention 10
the expenditure OF the fund OF S50O000 600 voted
by Congress 10 the President TO be used as
war emergency fund He had, he said the Ut
most confidence in the integrity OF the Presi-
dent but thought IL due 10 the public that
statement Of the disbursement Of that fund
should be made He referred 20 a story con-
cerning the purchase Of a yacht AT Buffalo. the
charge being made that one man had received a
/ commission OF $1,000 for effecting the sale OF
the vessel 10 the Government the price being
$50 600 The Yacht now offered by the Gov
/ Arunn-nt for $4,000 Ne called attention also to
other stories concerning the purchase OF ships