The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-22
ALL TRANSPORTS MUST GO
A Report That the Government
VIII Abandon Them Entirely.

All Troops, Supplies, Horses, and
other Equipment for the Army in
the Philippines, Cuba, and Porto
Rico to Be Carried Under Contract.
Despite the strong pressure being
brought = bear on him by those repre-
senting the business and professional in
terests Of New York. Secretary Root has
determined to discontinue the trapsL ort
service operated by the War Department
between New York and Cuba and Porto
Rico, and it is stated in certain quar-
ters that this viii be followed by the
abandonment OF the transport system be
tween San Francisco and the Philippines
Within a few DAYS an order will be is
sued in regard to the business of shipping
troops. ammunition. forage supplies, and
commissary stores to San Juan. Havana,
Santiago. and other Cuban and Porto Ri
can ports. and this immense traffic viii
be turned over 10 private steamship COM
panies.
Bids for this transportation were asked
for some time ago. and were opened in
New York last week. The proposals are
now in the possession Of Secretary Root,
and he will soon name the successful bid
ders.
1t is claimed that the large steamship
companies have held that the Government
was entering into direct competition with
them and by carrying hundreds of passen-
gers free every week materially injured
their business. It is also stated that ratf-
er than have this continue these compan-
les agreed to give the Government such a
low rate on all legitimate business as to
make the War Department discontinue
the use of the army transports. In this
way the steamship lines could make ev-
cry passenger purchase tickets and would
thereby gain in the long run
Secretary Roots order, ii is said in some
quarters. will not be issued without many
emphatic protests being registered. MIR.
Mr.. Root is said to be somewhat embar-
raised over the matter. but has already
given assurances that the transport ser
vice will be discontinued
Some time ago Secretary Root issued
invitations to every Senator and Repre-
sentative to visit Cuba and Porto Rico
this summer as the guests of the War
Department The invitation has been &C
cepted by some three hundred statesmen,
who have made all arrangements to visit
the islands with their families Il is now
limited that these invitations will have to
be Cancelled, unless Mr.. Root desires to
pay the return fdTeS OF TIE members
Congress out Of his own pocket
a regular cyclone Of protests is. there
fore, expected at the War Department, as
no more permits can be issued. and those
now CIT canpsI be redeemed Some of the
army officials claim that the change will
be a good thing. as IL viii shut down On
the ''deadheads.' hundreds Of whom it is
said. having no connection with the army
or the War Department, have been using
the transports free Of charge
II Is denied, however, that Mr.. Root IS
making tie transfer because ne desires to
shut down on free passes II is claimed
by those who are supposed 70 know that
the Secretary of War believes that he can
aid the Government by contracting with
the steamship companies, as they offer to
DO the work at about one-half the sum it
costs TO keep u line Of Government trans
ports in service
1t il now stated, uaoficially. at the War
Department that as soon as the Atlantic
transports have been gotten rid of. the Pa
ciiic lines will follow, and the business be-
tween the United States and the Philip
pines. now done by a system Of transports,
VIII be turned over to the big Pacific
steamship companies
Il is known that these companies have
been seeking this business with an eager
ness that has betrayed their belief in its
ability TO produce dividends. These cOrpo-
-ationS are controlled by the same men
who control the great traHSCuntiTle IT al
railroad lines and the desire is to ConsoIi-
/ date Everything 50 that the same company
can snip soldier from New York to Ma
Mia without having him leave its own
lines and steamers
The contract for the transportation Of
all supplies, troops, and live stock between
the United States and the Philippines
wiuld, II is claimed, mean millions Of dol
lars TO the holder OF holders 1t Is be
lieyed that within six months the Govern
ment will be out Of the transport business
altogether and the private lines viii then
have monopoly Of the business