Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-25
Held UP AT HAV IRE
OUR GOVERNMENT EXHIBIT FROM
PARIS EXPOSITION DETAINED.
A Disputed Bill for Freight Charges
Causes the Diff
Guilty.

Thirty cars, forming part Of the United
States government exhibit at the recent
Paris exposition, were suddenly laid under
embargo today at Havre. the railroad COM
pany declining to surrender them pending
payment of a claim of $40 francs. This
extraordinary action. seriously delaying
the departure of the United States auxiliary
cruiser Prairie from Havre for New York
with the government exhibits, was made
the subject of a formal protest TO the
French government by United States AM
bassa6or Porter.
The company bases its claim on demur-
rage charges on freight into the cars when
the goods We're brought to the exposition
for installation. Some time ago the claim
was submitted. and Major Bracket, secre-
tary of the American commission. investi-
gated 1t, and concluded that il had no foun-
dalton, as some of the cars charged against
the American government never contained
official exhibits. while the others were cars
utilized by private exhibitors, and not,
therefore, chargeabe to the United States.
Major Bracket thereupon endeavored to
secure settlement. but without avail.
The matter dragged along through the
summer, the secretary of the American
commission repeatedly expressing his will
lngness to settle any Just claim against
the United States. The company left the
case In an unsatisfactory condition and
hnally embargoed the cars.
Mai. Brackets Statement.
When Major Bracket was informed by
the United States agent as Havre he wired
him instructions to pay to the company 500
francs in the presence of the legal authors
ties, and at the same time to enter claim
against the company for 10000 francs, az
damages for obstruction and delay.
Last summer the company submitted q
bill of 32,'S2 francs for freight charges
against the commission he said today,
ana pressed for payment. Pending an exc
planation OF certain items. | paid 5000
francs on account at the same time asking
for details. When these were furnished I
discovered that the commission had been,
charged with 4,l93 francs which should
nave been charged to the Compagnie Gene
rale Iransatlantique, while 4ll0 francs
should have been charged to private exhibit
tors Inc company is therefore obliged to
make rebate"
Tomorrow being a holiday there will IN
no loading of the Prairie. The cars will be
released by the payment of the 800 francs.
onouid wednesday not bring a satisfactory
solution, Major Bracket Will probably nav
the rest Of the claim under protest in order
not to delay further the sailing of the Prai-
RE AT the same time he will enter an ad-
dltlonal claim for damages
Differences With "a Contractor.
Some trouble also arose with Philip La
zles, the contractor who built the national
pavilion. He wrote the American commis-
SioH IeceHpeI 10, saying lnat the last
letter from Commissioner General Peck was
not satisfactory, and asking when the
building would be turned over to him for
demolition. Two days later he notified the
commission that he intended to take possess
sion and begin destruction Immediately. He
In turn was informed that the building
would be placed under his control Decem-
Der 20, and at a formal meeting he was
notified that the commission would remove
certain furnishings not supplied by him. a
proposition to which his representative did
not object
Saturday night while the American GUS
todlan of the building, assisted by two
Workmen, was removing material belonging
to the United States, force of police ar
rived and arrested all three on the ground
that they We're taking goods which did not
belong to them. 1t Is said that NJ. LAKES
brought about the arrests.
MAJOR Bracket secured their release to-
DAY. NJ. LazieS served him with a legal
notice that he would not accept the pa
Vlilon In Its present shape, and would de-
mand damages for delay. The Frenchman
VIII now be held to the strict terms of the
contract, which included demolition, and ,
counter claim will be entered of a forfeit Of
ZoO francs daily from March TO- the date
When the contract called for completion
and June 70, together with claim of 2 GOO
francs 1or detective construction, as the
roor leaked and certain furnishings were
ruined More than this, there will be a.
special claim OF 1000 francs If it can be
proved that NJ LaZies brought about the
arrests, making total Of 2jSO francs
Another bone of contention may be the
settlement Of the restaurant concession in
the American pavilion which has not been
paid for. VIVA