Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-09
TRANSPORT SERVICE
Answer is Sent by Secretary Root TO the
House Inquiry.
REPORT SHOWS SOME ExORBlTANT BILLS
Statement Of General Young indicates
Lack of Competitive Bids
for Part Of Heavy E1-
penditures.

WASHINGTON. April S.-secretary Root
today sent an answer to the house resolu-
ton adopted on March Is, calling upon him
for all facts hat have come to 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 enclosed by
Secretary Root covers several hundred
pages. Major General b. NJ. Young. In
transmitting the report Of Lieutenant
Colonel Chamberlain, submits an analysts
OF the report showing no adequate super
vision to any feature Of the fitting out Of
transports for a long time after the service
was inaugurated and later the efforts to re-
form the system. General Young specifies
lack of securing competitive bids.
General Young also specifics the case of
IAN inexperienced man. who knew nothing
about paints, being employed to supervise
painting. in a business where the painting
bill Of a single firm in two years and two
months amounted to $343, OLA"
Pay Exorbitant Prices.
Prices paid for material were often
~strikingly in excess of the then current
market prices for the same articles Of like
quality and supplies were purchased in
open market, without advancing. 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.
the firms at The same time charging exorbl-
tant prices, to The extent. in a few in
stances, Of 100 per cent in excess Of ruling
market rates"
Upon the facts developed by the ~investi-
cation General Young remarks that under
the pressure OF necessity OF moving large
bodies Of troops at short notice. lack OF
methods and forms to safeguard the gov
eminent occurred.
Lieutenant Colonel Chamberlain specifies
il detail the features summarized by Gen
eral Young. He refers to the report OF the
Bates board" that much Of the work
done on Logan vas defective. also
that the amount spent on Hancock
$547,016, was excessive and was for luxu-
rious fittings.
Reports adu Improvement.
In his conclusion Colonel Chamberlain
says most of the abuses were unavoidable
and that there has been gradual improve
ment. He says that there are but three
firms in San Francisco equipped for ex-
tensive repair work, and that they had an
understanding among themselves by which
there has been no real competition.
Colonel Chamberlain says that one OF
the most notable abuses has been the use
Of great quantities Of high priced disinfect-
ants. The transport Thomas, he says, on
FIVE trips used 50, 295 worth. He says there
also has been excessive use Of high priced
patent cleaning and polishing material,
Thomas using S3,24S worth in five trips.
He adds that this abuse has been rene
died.
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 $500, 900, and has since received
$3.50, 900 in repairs.
In a report dated August 20, 1901. Colonel
Oscar F. Ling, general superintendent OF
army transport service at San Francisco.
replies to Colonel Chamberlain inspec-
ton report. He points out the magnitude
of the service. suddenly brought into ex-
istence, and the systematizing Of affairs as
fast as possible. He says the service has
survived the period when 1t was most
subjected to criticism and attack and that
mistrust has given way to confidence since
it's method 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 as those charged
merchant ships.