Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-08
Would Be Sold at a Sacrifice.

sIn the first place, it has been demon
strated by previous experience that trans
ports offered for sale will bring only a
fractional part of their real value. Upon
being sold they would revert to the flag
under which they originally sailed, their
special fittings troopships would be re-
moved and an emergency arising demand
ing the use of transports by the United
States, these ships. now SO admirably and
thoroughly equipped for the purpose, would
not be available and the department would
find itself in the same deplorabe condition
as it was in 1893, without transports and
with no suitable ships under the American
flag available even should time permit OF
their conversion into troopships. :
I'm the second place, having disposed of
the transports by sale, 1t is feared that II
would not be possible to secure by contract
on any ships now plying the Pacific ocean
accommoda lions for troops between the
Pacific coast and Manila which in any way
would compare favorably with the arrange
ments for health and comfort now fur
nished by the transport service. This would
be markedly so in the case of the sick, Of
whom an average of 100 are returned by
each monthly steamer from Manila.
Seeking Middle Ground.
'It has been suggested that the trans
ports be placed out of commission and held
in readiness for an emergency, and present
requirements provided for by contract. This
plan meets with the objection heretofore
mentioned against contract service, and,
further it is greatly feared that ships not
In use would deteriorate SO rapidly as to be
shOrt-lived and at the end of a few years
prove total loss. That commercial lines
can afford to carry troops and freight at a
less rate than the government can perform
the service with it's own transports is due
to the fact that in the case of commercial
ships all available space after accommO-
dating the government business can be
filled by the constantly increasing trade be-
tween this country and the orient. The
proposition seems to be how to maintain
the transports In service, available for any
emergency that may arise, and at the same
time secure some benefits to the govern
ment that would result from consolidating
its business with commercial traffic.
ut is suggested that If authorized by
the enactment of laws giving proper lati-
tude these ends may be obtained by leas-
ing the government transports to some line
now in the carrying business. Under such
an arrangement there would seem to be no
reason why we should not return to two
steamers per month instead of one, as now
which would prove great convenience.
Authority to Lease the Ships.
"This plan would contemplate advertis-
ing for bids. as heretofore done, coupled
with the proposition to lease certain desig-
The first step necessary would be to secure
an act authorizing the Secretary of War,
in his discretion, to lease the government
transports and make contracts for the
| transportation Of troops and supplies be-
tween the United States and our island
possessions, such leases and contracts to
be made after advertisement in the usual
manner, no lease contract to be for a
longer period than three years and no lease
or contract to be renewed except after re-
advertisement; all transports SO leased to
sail under the United States flag, and the
Secretary Of War to have the right to
| take possession of any or all said leased
transports at any time when, in his opin-
ion they are required for military pur-
poses not provided for by the contract: the
money derived from the charter of these
ships to constitute sinking fund to be
expended under the direction Of the Secre-
tary of War toward maintaining the yes
sells of the transport fleet. Such number
Of transports as are necessary to provide
two trips per month between the states and
Manila should be designated and constitute
the Pacific fleet.
Under existing conditions it would seem
advisable that San Francisco, Cal. be re-
tanned as the home port for the Pacific
fleet"