The Washington times., 1902-04-09
Demanded Vindication.

On February 10, Quartermaster General
Ludington wired Major Long as follows:
Secretary of War has considered
Barneson's case. II he is restored to duty
will he tender his resignation as soon is
restored?'
On the same date Major Long replied
that Barneson would not tender his resig-
nation as condition of being restored
TO duty. and that he deemed himself en-
titled 10 complete vindication on the
Morgan City charge. Major Long rec
commended that Barneson be restored
without conditions.
BY telegraphic order dated March J.
1902, Major Long was authorized to re-
store Captain Barneson to duty. Three
days later Captain Barneson resigned. and
Major Long requested that Barneson
should be retained long enough to close
up business preparatory to transferring
the SUPPLEMENTARY to Captain DuVoi.
Quartermaster General Ludingtons re-
ply to this was short and sharp. II was
dated March g and said: Have submitted
your telegram regarding Captain Barne-
son to Secretary OF War, and he says that
resignation should be accepted without
delay"
The main report OF Lieutenant Colonel
Chamberlain was dated July II, 1901. He
speaks OF examining 12.00G vouchers, in
vestigating many complaints and in
specting every ship. Taken a whole.
the report is an arraignment OF the man
agement OF the transport service, though
Captain Barnesons is the only name men
toned in connection with any transaction
that is in violation OF the army regula-
tiOns.
Colonel Chamberlain says that in re-
pair work it was not uncommon Tor ad-
most anyone occupying official posi-
tion.
Little or no supervision was possible
he said. when bills were presented they
were usually paid without careful check.
the correctness OF such bills depending
solely upon the integrity OF the firms and
honesty of their employees
The prices charged Tor labor were. in
general. apparently reasonable. That
charged for material varied greatly. In
May. 1900. for the first time bids were
regularly invited and contract let for
repair work. The case OF the Sheridan
is cited as an example OF slipshOd busi-
ness methods.
II is also charged that the amount
pended in refittng the Hancock was ex-
cessive. largely due to renting in the
luxurious style in which the ship had been
originally furnished. The work was done
taken on labor or materials.
The report charges that collusion eN-
listed between The Union Works. the Full
ton Iron Works. and Risdon Iron Works
They did not even go through the for
mality OF examining the work, says the
report. THE firm which was TO have the
lob sent engineers to survey the snip,
and the other two firms submitted bids
always in excess of the bid of the third
firm.
In the case of the repairs TO The Sheri-
dan last wear there was honest compe-
tiiion. because the firm knew that the
Navy Department was competing.
In one instance the estiriates ohered by
a bidder corresponded exactly with those
Of the department.
II am informed" says Colonel Cham
berlail, THAT every effort was made TO
discover the source of the leak, but with
out avail
Colonel Chamberlain says that painting
has been done almost exclusively by one
firm. largely under oral agreement, with i
out competition, the condition being that
the Government should pay the cost of
material and $3.50 per day for labor. this
being presumably an actual increase of |
so cents per man per day as the hrm !
profit The prices charged for paints. |
oils etc, were often excessive.
Colonel Chamberlain's s report also stated |
that preference was shown for certain
firms. orders having gone to these firms |
for articles that were not in their line
OF business Several firms are conspicu-
Gus as having been undoubtedly favored
and having been eXorbitant in prices.