Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-04-05
TRANSPORT SUMNER.
Alleged Extravagancs Of officials in
Fitting Up the Vessel.
The MAIL SERVICE IN ALASKA.
Great improvement Noted Reduction Of
American soldiers in Cuba Hospital
Ship, Missouri aud Reelection
ExchsDgUd-COu Bill.

Washington, March 3O.-The ofiicia
of the war department, taking motto
OF the criticisms passed in the hous
during the discussion of the army az
preparation bill upon the alleged e,
travagance shown by the quarter
masters department in fitting out tn
army transport Sumner, yesterda
made public from the records the az
tual figures of expenditures, showin
the expenditures to be very much dill
ferent from those stated in the cours
of the debate. For instance, the wa
department statement shows that tn
cost of the repairs at New York wa
not $4,000 as announced in congress
but $l,945. The tumblers in the stat
room did not cost 80 cents apiece AM
pillowslips cost 14ls cents. The glass
state room doors cost SO cents. Til
mahogany chairs cost $50 instead o
Sl5 As to these chairs il is declared
that experience has shown that ma
hogany is the very cheapest furniture
that can be used on shipboard il
point of durability and cost of main
tenance. The three big mirrors in the
sideboard did not cost $1,000 but were
purchased for $3.50. The silver ser
vice which was said to have cost the
government $4,000 is only plated ware
and all the plate on the ship for the
use of 1900 men, cost $1,29s.
Secretary Root was much pleased
with his inspection Of the renovated
transport steamer Sumner at New
York. He noted, however, that the ac-
commodations seemed rather made
quate for the full regiment proposed
to be sent out on the first voyage
of the transport to Manila. There
fore he had board appointed to look
into the matter with the result that
Gen. Merritt yesterday telegraphed
that it had been found advisable to
prevent overcrowding to cut down the
number of soldiers to be carried by
one battalion, leaving between 700 and
800 men as passengers.
The Mall Service In Alaska
Washington, March 3O.-A report
has been received at the post office
department from Chief Clerk Kimball,
at st. Michael, Alaska, under date of
December 80. The fact that this re-
port came through is regarded as in
licating a great improvement in the
service, as heretofore it was impossi-
BILE to get mail from that point after
the first part of November, The chief
clerk reports that mails left st. Nj
ehael three times from October II
to. December w. and arrived three
Iilnesup to December %. On Novem-
Der 1 Mr.. kimball left st. Michael
or Nome with about 300 letters for
hat place and 25 for Golovin bay,
which is located beyond the arctic cir
he. As no provision has been made
or any mail service from Nome, he adj
ertised to take all mail matter from
here to St. Michael. Owing to the
act that a number of private car
iers had been offering to take out
nail for from one to two dollars a
atter, he found it difficult to con-
lnce people that he would take let
ers for regular rates of postage.
However, he carried away about 600
tiers and nine registered packages,
The Reduction Of soldiers In Cuba.
Washington, March Secretary
DOT said yesterday that he had not
hanged his mind as to the possibility
safely reducing the number of
merican soldiers in Cuba. But the
ostponement of the Cuban elections
n at least a month beyond the date
fixed had made it advis-
Die to delay correspondence the
minution of the garrisons so that
might be well into the summer be-
re the contemplated reductions
'uld be made. The existence of n
in Florida at this time
ould not prevent The movement of
oops northward, as they could be
nded without much delay at almost
" point north of the Carolnas.
he Hospital ships Missouri and Relief
Washington, March 3O.-Paymaster
'neral BateN yesterday called to.
'ther the board created by the secre-
ry OF war to fix the responsibility
r the alleged unseaworthy condi.
IN of the hospital ships Missouri
ID Relief. The board discussed the
bject in a preliminary manner and
cided to begin the formal investi-
tion in New York city on the LIST
April and to continue 1t later at
n Francisco.
The Bonds Exchanged,
Washington, March 3O.-The amount
bonds offered for exchange for the ,
W two per centssup to the close of
siness yesterday was $176,675, 800. of
lich SlS,s74,550 came from indiyid.
Is and institutions other than ma.
NAL banks.
Counterfeit. One Dollar mn
Washington, March 3O.-Chief vii. !
;, of the secret service, yesterday ,,
nounced the discovery of a very !
or counterfeit one dollar treasury |
tie. check letter B, series 1891. B. q
Bruce, register. a
Lieut.. Gitlmore's Report. q