Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-28
THE SPANISH CLAIMS
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIvAN'S
TWO RESOLUTIONS.
he Speaks on Them Before the House
Judiciary Committee and Tells
Things of Treaty Commission.

Representative Sullivan of Massachusetts
appeared before the Judiciary committee of
the House today and spoke In support of
his resolutions directed at the Spanish war
Claims commission. One of the resolutions
directs the Secretary of the Treasury to in
form the House of the total amount paid
by the United States on account of the
commission, for salaries, expenses, costs.
compensation and allowances of every kind
and the amount allowed in favor of claim
ants against the United States. Thessecond
resolution directs the Attorney General to
inform the House of the name and date of
appointment of every person appointed
under the act creating the commission, the
position held by each person. and the
amount of compensation for each person
and expenses in addition. If any.
Mr.. Sullivan's Remarks.
Speaking on the two resolutions. Mr.. Sui
Ivan said:
Under the seventh article of the treaty
between the United States and Spain, sign
ed at Paris, December 10, 1898 and ratified
by the Senate February 9, 1899" said MI
Sullivan. 1.-The United States agreed to 'ad-
judicate and settle the claims of its cfti-
zens against Spain growing out of the war
The legal machinery for the adjudication
and settlement Of such claims was provld-
ed by the Fffty-sixth Congress in the act
of March =, 1901 which created the Spanish
treaty claims commission. Five commits
sioners were provided at 5000 per annum
one clerk at $500, assistant attorney
general at 5000, as many stenographers
and typewriters at 81. 200 and interpreters
at $500 they deemed necessary-and
also special counsel al $500 per month when
needed: all of these appointments to be
made outside of civil service regulations
n NJ n ~ Jr.lI1 y1-al
authorized, which has been grossly ex
ceeded.
The act provided that the commission
should hold their first meeting within thirty
days of their appointment and that all
claims not filed within six months from
the date of such first meeting should be
forever barred. The United States was
required to file answers to the petitions OF
claimants within sixty days OF the filing
of such petitions. The awards of the com
mission were to be final-and in short every
preparation was made for speedy DISPOSE
ton of the claims which legislative fore
sight could provide.
Remarkable Extension of Life.
TT was anticipated that the commission
would be able to complete its work in two
years, and the act provided for Its ter
mination at that time or sooner If its work
was finished sooner. There was provision
in the act, however, inserted because Of
extend the life of the commission six
months at a time beyond the two-year
period limited. Since March 2. 1903, there
fore executive clemency has been granted
six times to the commission, and Its pres
ent lease of life expires September 2, 1903
Whether this lease of life should De re,
newed again on September ., 1903. VIII
be a question for the executive, unless TINS
Congress determines in the meantime that
1t shall terminate upon that date.
The resolutions of inquiry are framed
to enable the commission to establish It's
reason for existence If that Is possible. II
is we'll known that the court of claims Is
competent to adjudicate any claims that
are pending and has abundant time IN
which to do So 1t seems like a great waste
of money to prolong the life OF this com
mission which has lasted three years ION
ger than It was intended to, when we haVs
another permanent tribunal competent and
ready to do the work. All things must
come to an end-at least all temporary
things-and 1t would seem that 1t is
proper time for the commission to give up
the ghost / have furnished the reason for
the resolutions.
at LET us look at the cost of the commits
sion up to date. Including the appropTla-
ton in the urgent deficiency Dill OF rep
ruary q of this year I have found awards
of the commission from the beginning until
now aggregating $16, TAO The cost of ad-
ministration by the commission has been
1858 600 Not an insignificant sum. Ana
they have Just asked $4,000 more for the
expense of taking more testimony abroad
This is ominous, for it indicates faith In its
ability to achieve wonderful longevity.
81 trust the resolutions will be passed
speedily. so that Congress may obtain the
information required in time to act intelli-
gently upon it, and II need be pass an act
at this session which VIII abolish the COM
mission and transfer ITS powers 70 the
of nia ms