The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-09
WORK DONE in A HURRY
MONEY WAS WASTED IN FITTING
OUT THE ARMY TRANSPORTS.
Reports of Inspector General Cham-
berlain and Lieut.. Col Maus, with
General Young's Comments.

WASHINGTON. April s.-Secretary Root
to-day sent an answer 10 the House reso-
luton adopted on March Is calling on him
for all facts that have come 10 his knowl-
edge as to the conduct Of the transport
service between San Francisco and the
Philippine islands. The answer includes
the reports of Inspector General Chamber
lain and Lieutenant Colonel Maus. The re-
ports of the various officers, incosed by
Secretary Root. cover several hundred
pages. Maj. Gen. b. NJ. Young, in trans
hitting the report of Lieutenant Colonel
Chamberlain. submits an analysis of the
report showing no adequate supervision TO
any feature of the fitting out of transports
for long time after the service was in
augurated and later the efforts to reform
the system. General Young also specifies
the case of IAN inexperienced man. who
knew nothing about paints. being employed
to supervise painting I'm a business where
the painting bill of a single firm I'm two
years and two months amounted TO $342.-
GA" In other respects IT is stated, the re-
port shows that work was given out and
supplies for general use (such as the fitting
up of cabins) were purchased without due
regard, habitually, TO the protection of the
governments interests.
On that branch of the investigation COW
ering cost of articles, etc. General Young's
summing up of the Chamberlain report says
that i'm one case. where the bill was SlO53 1S
the work is pronounced generally unsatis-
factory, charges unsatisfactory and ma
terial inferior" Prices paid for material
were often strikingly i'm excess OF the then
current market prizes for the same articles
of like quality. 1t is further stated in
General Young's summary that preference
seems TO have been shown special firms TO
the point of ordering from them articles
out of their line of business. these firms
at the same time charging exorbtant
prices to the extent, I'm a few instances.
of 100 per cent. in excess Of ruling market
rates" Upon the facts developed by the
investigation General Young remarks that
under the pressure Of necessity OF NOV
ing large bodies of troops at short notice
lack of methods and forms TO safeguard
the government occurred.
Lieutenant Colonel Chamberlain specifies
in detail the features summarized by Gen.
eral Young. He refers 10 the report OF
the Bates board. that much of the work
done on the Logan was detective: also that
the amount spent on the Hancock. $547.O16.
was excessive and was for luxurious Mt
tings." Lengthy descriptions are given OF
furnishings, etc, of inferior quality, placed
on various transports
In his conclusions Colonel Chamberlain
says most of the abuses were unavoidable
and that there has been gradual improve
ment. He says there are but three firms
in San Francisco equipped for extensive re-
pair work. and that they had under
standing among themselves by which there
has been no real competition. In interior
been at times extravaganza and. in some
cases, great negligence. In purchasing sup
plies preference has been shown I'm the dis
tribution of patronage and extensive pur-
chases have been made without competi-
ton.
Colonel Chamberlain says that one of the
most nota BILE abuses has been the use Of
great quantities of high-priced disinfec-
tants. The transport Thomas, he says. on
FIVE trips used So worth. He says there
also has been an excessive use OF high
priced patent cleaning and polishing mate
rial, the Thomas using 1928 worth in FIVE
trips. He adds that this abuse has been
The loss of government property. such as
furniture. linen, bedding, tableware. ETC..
by imperfect accounting Is also set forth.
He states that the transport Meade was
purchased when twenty-seven years old
for 100000, and she has since received $780,
900 i'm repairs.
r. Long. general superintendent of army
transport service at San Francisco. replies
to Colonel Chamberlain's inspection report.
He points out the magnitude OF the scrv-
ice, suddenly brought into existence. and
the systematiZing of affairs as fast as pos
sible. He says the service has survived the
period when IL was most subject 10 criti-
cism and attack and that mistrust has
given way TO confidence since its methods
and means have acquired the sanction OF
success. The report says IL Is not admitted
that preference was shown particular firms;
as to high prices paid for disinfectants the
prices are declared TO have been the same
alleged irregularities occurred during an
emergency war period
The numerous other reports inclosed from
ColOnels Maus and Sanger. and from a
great number OF subordinate officers. give
the most minute details OF transport serv-
ice, In some cases irregularities being
shown and criticism expressed. All OF the
reports seem to agree that the abuses were
the result Of lack OF method on the part
of the subordinates There Is no charge
affecting officials integrity
The Withholding OF these reports from
the Senate military committee subjected
the secretary TO criticism by the minority
members at yesterdays meeting II ap-
pears that the secretary held that ac-
cOrding 20 the exact language OF the Sem
ate resolution. these reports were not called
for. The Senate committee asked for re-
ports from the officers named relative TO
the transport Of private goods between
San Francisco and the Philippines. There
was nothing I'm either OF these reports re-
lating TO that subject and the secretary
, consequently did not submit them with the
other correspondence.
The House resolution was In general
terms. calling for ''all facts that have come
10 his knowledge as 20 the conduct OF the
transport service" so the secretary has
included these two reports in the vast mass
OF papers submitted 70 the House to-day.
Secretary Root includes in his letter "A copy
OF an instruction sent out by General Cor
bin. at his direction. 10 the commanding
general. Department OF California, ORDER
ing a" a thorough Investigation OF all that
relates 10 the transport service the Pa
cifc coast, beginning with its organization
up 10 the present time" The Investigation
90 be absolutely thorough. entering
into the minute details OF the conduct q
affairs in the operation OF the transport
service. IL Is stated that nothing IN the
order is 10 be construed 10 indicate that
any complaints have been made or that
the department has any misgivings con-
corning the administration OF the trans
port service. but that all the facts are
wanted by the secretary.
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