The Washington times., 1902-06-03
CRITICISMS OF TRANSPORT
SERVICE COWTRADICTED

effort in which they were engaged. they
responded most chee,fully. effectually and
we'll. and the department and the Gov
ernment owes them a debt of gratitude
for their effective and patriotic support
during the trying emergency OF the Span
ish war.
Sure Index of Success.
10. That the result obtained is the
sure index of success. The transport
service in San Francisco carried out its
orders with promptitude in the manner
directed. when directed, and without
loss Of life. Troops were transported
to the Philippines and China with safety
and dispatch. -s-a
III. That in all its transactions dur
ing the emergency OF the Spanish war
the transport service in San. Francisco
show. from official compilations. in
hnitely more gain than loss in its
transaction of public business.
''l2. That. as a result. the transport
service is willing to rest upon this
record. Very respectfully.
OSCAR F. LONG.
"Quartermaster L. S. A."
Major Long also discusses at great
len 5th the report of Colonel Chamber
lain and replies TO his criticisms He
pointed out that the inspector said he
had examined about 1000 vouchers. in
some cases one voucher covering from
$50 to 200 typewriter pages. without
finding any errors.
Major Long says that Colonel Cham
berlain did not state the conditions
which obtained at the time purchases
were made. and he attributes whatever
excessive prices may have been paid in
particular instances to the emergencies
existing at the time.
Since the sailing of the steamships
Australia, City of Pekin. and City of
Sydney, May %. 1888. until the sailing
Of the transport Thomas July %. 1901.
with 500 teachers. the emergency con-
tinued without interruption
At one time twenty-five transports
were docked and undergoing repairs
and receiving their supplies simulta-
neously. As high as so or more men
were working on single transport at
the same time. Major Long explains
the Sheridan, Sherman, Logan. Hancock.
and other contracts and denies that the
charge of extravaganza in this connec-
tion is well founded.
Entitled to Gratitude.
He appends letter from Assistant
Surgeon General Greenleaf giving the
directions under which the Hancock
was fitted out and from which the
charge OF extravaganza arose.
The official from the War Depart
mcnt who made recommendations for
the proper sanitation of the transports
received NEST cordial sympathy and sup
port from every officer of our service.
and is entitled to the gratitude Of the
soldiers for the good work initiated by
him" says Mr.. Long.
. He also quotes the late Representative
Cummings, who said, on the nOor OF the
House:
May | be paralyzed when vote
against an appropriation for the comfort
and shelter Of the American soldiers"
Major Long says that it was the de-
sire for the comfort and shelter Of the
soldiers on the long voyage TO the
which animated all the off,
,ers Of the Government in connection
with the transport service.
Mr.. Long points out that 236 army |
transports have sailed from San Fran !
,isco for the Orient between May 25, |
1898. and April 10, 1902 an average sail |
ng OF one every fifth day. During this |
imc 2Tj,000 officers and men haze been |
both ways across 1000 miles |
" the Pacific and not n life has beer |
ost through any incident OF navigation. |
md not a single ship has been lost or
damaged,
He also gives an interesting history OF |
he organization OF the transport service |
IN the Pacific. l