New-York tribune., 1900-04-01
SUMNER SAILS AT LAST.
RECRUITS HAD REFUSED TO GO TO
BROOKLYN ON BARGE.
WERE CARRIED FROM FORT SLoCUM IN
THE STEAMER MONTAUK-CONGREss
MAN DRIGGs's. CRITICISMS.

The transport Sumner, to which much atten-
tion has been drawn by charges of extravagaace in
her fittings. left the Government pier IN Brooklyn
yesterday afternoon at $3.50 o'clock for the Philip
pines She carries 7SS enlisted men, who are going
out under the command of Major Writ Davis as
recruits. and sixty commissioned officers. Four
nurses for the hospitals IN Manila also aboard.
There is a large amount of money in the strong
box Of the ship for paying the troops In the Far
East.
Captain E. " Lyman, the sailing master. says
that he hopes to reach Gibraltar. the first stop.
Inside of twelve days. II for any reason the boat
is delayed there is danger that the supply coal
will run low. The boats coal capacity is for only
10 tons. and burns fifty day. That
gives little leeway for delays To prepare for
such emergency much possible bags of
coal were slowed away in every available place.
The main deck covered With them.
Congressman Edmund H. briggs who had de-
nounced the alleged extravaganza that lie had read
about in a newspaper. yesterday came from Wash
ington to make personal examination OF the
Sumner. He was met by Colonel F. b. Jones. the
head OF the transport service in New-York, and
was personally conducted by him over the vessel
Regarding the quarters provided for the quarter
master-captain OF the transport the Congressman
was afterward quoted saying:
It's extrsvagant and uncalled for on any trans
port. 1 how money lavished this ship
and it is uncalled for. Look at the quarters with
provided. It's shame and I'm learning much that
heretofore did not know.
Mr.. briggs declared the closets provided for the
to be unsanitary. Making a comparison be-
tween the apartments of the quarermas capita in
and of Major Davis Mr.. briggs said to acting
assistant adjutant- general who was present:
How do you account for this state of affairs?
Here have the Regular Army officer who is going
10 Manila to fight for our country occupying
cramped quarters that only fit for a second
mate, while the officers of this transport carrying
these honored soldiers enjoy every comfort and con-
venience and reve in luxury. 1t is not right, and
/ opposed to il.
CONGRESSMAN briggs declared that he would ex-
press his opinions the subject to the Secretary
of War
Six officers and $50 recruits left the recruiting
station at Fort Slocum yesterday on board the
steamer Montauk They taken to Brooklyn
and transferred there TO the Sumner. Because OF
their exposure the other day twenty-five OF the re-
crufts had been taken to post hospital and are
there to-day, suffering from severe colds. Three
of the cases are likely TO result seriously.
The recruits who made the trip on the barge held
a meeting Friday and decided not to obey the
orders to board barge for another trip to Brook
lyn. They appointed committee of three to go
before Captain John c. p. Tilson, who had charge
of the and tell him of the stand taken by the
soldiers Captain Tson at first refused to grant
the mems request, but finally telegraphed to New
York for a steamer. When the time for departure
arrived tie steamboat Montauk was on hand and
the made the trip to Brooklyn on board OF
her.