New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-30
Says u. S. Adviser FaUored
Giving Brother Rag Contract

Of Now York, testified that thirty
seven rag firms employed him TO in
vestigate the government contract with
the sorting company, which, he said,
had capital of only 10000. Most mem
beers Of the committee appointed by the
Council Of National Defence 10 super
wise the rag industry, he asserted, were
so interested in the trade that they
could not fairly represent the govern
ment's interests and were able to IN
jurc competitors.
Ira Kaplan. Of the sorting company,
and Samuel Kaplan, Of the councils
supply committee, arc brothers, the
witness said.
Senator McKcllar sought TO connect
the rag situation with failure of the
War Department TO accept the Boston
dealers offer Of wool last April The
natural effect of failure 10 secure wool,
Mr.. Kamlnsky said, would be TO greatly
widen the market for shoddy.
Mr.. Eiseman had acted IN what he
believed to be the best interests OF
the country, Mr. Kaminsky said, but
had had the wool pulled over his
eyes"
The witness said Eiseman refused TO
tell him the price given the scrap COM
pany for sorting, and added that SAM
ucl Kaplan was present az conferences
with Eiseman and knew all details OF
the negotiation with the company, IN
which his brother was Interested.
The six-cent contract. Mr.. kaminsky
continued, was excessive, as scraps
could be probably handled for from
one 10 three cents pound.
Disseminated Dogs
Tire witness told the committee that
in his conferences here he was told
by Samuel Kaplan that the scrap sort
ing company would make a profit Of
only onc-half a cent q pound, although
the contract proposed a four-cent
profit When he protested, Nr. kamln-
sky said. Mr.. Eiscman asserted that
those complaining were "a lot Of dis
contented dogs" and maleontents.
His clients. the witness said, made
an offer TO Eiseman to erect plant
and sort scraps for the government at
from one and three-quarters TO three
cents a pound, but the offer was not
considered.
With Qugrtermaster General Sharpe
under examination, Senator Weeks
brought out that on April. Boston
wool dealers offered all their wool TO
the government ut prevailing prices,
but the offer never reached General
Sharpe, being referred to the General
Munitions Board.
When orders were given TO prepare
70 clothe a million more men, General
Sharpe said, soaring prices rather
than a shortage was the worst factor
in the situation.
81 was told by a responsible man
that the failure of the government TO
accent the Boston wool mems offer of
April 3 has cost the government $780,
O00.000," said Senator Weeks, land
want 10 find out who is responsible for
delay in its acceptance, and also who
is responsible for delay IN beginning
purchases. !. for one, am somewhat
dismayed by the length OF time it takes
in the War Department 10 do things.
Apparently, injection of the Council
Of National Defence makes for further
delay"
Senator Wadsworth said that on
June Is the Treasury authorized the
War Department to buy wool. but that
no considerable amount was bought
until September.
NO NECESSARY DelON
General Sharpe insisted there was
no unnecessary delay, and that the
council had to thoroughly study the
new subject and organize, necessitat-
ing great care and consideration.
General Sharpe said that if the Bos-
ton wool dealers offer Of April 3 had
been accepted promptly it would have
been very advantageous, as wool ad-
vanced after that" lie reiterated that
the offer never reached him, being re-
ferred by Secretary Baker to the Mu-
nitions Board.
The alleged shortage Of motor
trucks, testified 10 yesterday by Cen
eral Greble. Of Camp Bowie, came up
again to-day.
1t is not intended, the quartermaster
general said, 70 deliver trucks TO the
training camps until the troops get
ready 10 go abroad. The committee
members expressed surprise.
How are the men going to get ex-
perience in handling trucks asked
Senator Hitchcock.
Il don't know" said General Sharpe.
"These are the orders. think any sur
/ plus not needed by General Pershing
/ should be sent 10 the training camps"
When Mr.. Kaminsky's testimony was
/ concluded the committee went into eX-
ecutive session, and arranged 20 re-
examine General Crozier, chief OF ord
nance, next week. General Crozier has
requested an opportunity to reply to
Colonel Lewis, inventor Of the Lewis
machine gun. Before other branches
Of the army inquiry are opened the
committee plans 20 hear Secretary
Baker.