The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-14
NIIE DONE Splendid WORK.
srnGE BALLINGER DEFENDS WORK
or 4. $. TRANSPORT SERVICE.
rnek From San Francisco, Where
He Had an Opportunity TO study
the stupe ndous work of the Gov

sTba efficiency and work accomplished
hv the United States transport service at
q, francisco IL really remarkable said
Iuasa r. A. Ballinger yesterday. Judge
paliinrer has just returned from the Call
sornfa metropolis. Il had OCCASION" he
continued. ito become more or less IA
,r,liar with the work accomplished by Col.
long. chief of the department, and Capt.
Ichn Barneson, master of transportation,
and formerly OF Seattle. in the transpor-
,sffen OF the vast quantity OF military
s,ppIies and troops sent out from San
Francisco since the breaking out OF the
aoanish-American war. and / am pleased
10 say that IN my opinion no officers have
worked more assiduously and honestly for
The best interests of the government since
,he transport service came into existence
,han Col. Long and his chief assistants.
rapts. Rarneaon and Batchelder.
sThe record Of this service Is certainly
wonderful. considering the number of
troops handled and quantity of supplies
transported. but I wish II understood that
/ am making no invidious comparison with
the service at Seattle. Not life has been
lost out Of the thousands sent to Manila,
not q vessel has failed to do her fun duty.
sxcept, perhaps, the Manauense. The mis-
adventure OF the Morgan city caused no
rejection upon the transport service. and
IN the light OF facts now developing in
the rigid Investigation in progress the
Manauense affair win disclose no derelic-
ton on the part of the transport Service
.sThere has been a disposition on the
part OF chronic gossips to ccnsure all de-
partments OF the government. and this
one has come In for Its fun share OF critl-
ctrms. but havs failed to see fuil APP
ursciation by the public Of the splendid
achievements OF this department. both here
and at San Francisco. They have even
been accused of corrupt practices, which
/ venture 10 say from my information, Is
absolutely without foundation and prac-
tfcaHy impossible under the rigid regula-
Tens and practices In chartering vessels,
and in handling them as required by the
war department; and I am further salts
hea that II any corruption or vicious prac-
tioes have existed at San Francisco. that
COL Long and Capt Barneson and Batch
eie0r are absolutely innocent, and without
knowledge of the same. The many inves-
ti9astons had by the government have fall
ed TO discover any foundation for the
same.
I'VE all remember with what chagrin
we read Of the bungling work Mt Tampa
al the outbreak OF the war, largely in con-
sequence Of the unpreparedness OF the gov
eminent In handling this new branch of
military operations, but II appears from
tho nrst that the San Francisco department
siAy and sklllfully handled the disposition
u Transports, and we think 1t IL largely
due to the executive ability OF the men in
charge.
As have said. I think we have failed
"a fully appreciate the invaluable work
~ these officers. both at Seattle and San
Francisco. who have. In their quiet way.
produced remarkable results. which have
contributed far beyond our ability to calcu-
late. In tho speedy termination OF the Phil
ippine rebellion, ana If We were to COM
pare the losses and accidents which have
followed the efforts OF the British adj
mtraity IN sending out transports for South
Africa, we ought 20 feel proud of the eff
cency Of our own service, newly born and
without the advantage OF experience or
prscedent."