ALGER'S STATEMENT, AND PAVING COMPANY WILLING TO TEST STATE LAW

 

Russell Alexander Alger.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, August 1, 1899.

ALGER'S STATEMENT.

One of His Last Official Acts as Secretary of War.

REPLY TO THE PUBLIC PRESS.

A Recent Article in the London Times He Says Has No Foundation in Truth. His Books Are Open to Public Inspection as to His War Expenditures.

   WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.—One of the last official acts of Secretary Alger, who has relinquished his portfolio, was to prepare a statement covering several matters regarding the conduct of the war which have been the subject of criticism in the public press, particularly with reference to the appointment of staff officers in the volunteer army. The statement follows:

   "I am led to make the following statements on account of the many criticisms which have been made by the public press and especially on account of a recent article which appeared in the London Times, containing assertions which have no foundation in truth.

   "At the commencement of the war with Spain and for several years prior to that time the regular army consisted of only 25,000 men, with the minimum number of officers prescribed by law. The situation can be partially appreciated when it is remembered that within 60 days from the declaration of war the strength of the army was increased to 275,000 men, and everything for the equipment of this great force, including clothing, tents, transportation, medical supplies, camps and camp equippages and all that pertains to equipping an army for service, had to be manufactured, transported and distributed for use.

   "From the statement referred to the public might be led to believe that the volunteer army was "officered by men selected through political influence by the secretary of war by special favor and without regard to fitness for the duties they were to perform. As is well known, the volunteer force, with the exception of three regiments of engineers, three regiments of cavalry and ten regiments of Immune infantry, was made up of regiments from the various states, the officers of which were all appointed exclusively by the governors of the respective states from which the regiments came, and any officer found unfitted for service and discharged was replaced by another in the same manner. The president had no voice or control in the matter.

   "The returns of the volunteer army show that in August, 1898, there were 207,244 enlisted men and 8,785 officers in these regiments. This, with the regular army recruited up to the war strength made an aggregate force of about 275,000 officers and men. The volunteer officers appointed by the president numbered all told 1,032. Of this number 441 were taken from the regular army, and 519 from civil life.

   "The scarcity of regimental officers in the regular service, owing to appointments in the volunteers, special recruiting and mustering details, had so reduced their number that to have taken a larger number for service with the volunteers would have seriously impaired the efficiency of the regular regiments. For a little over a thousand appointments made by the president, the number of applications was over 25,000, and each application was accompanied by a certificate of his ability, and in most instances the military service, either in the regular army or a state organization, and not infrequently in both. These certificates showed that each one was as we'll qualified for the position he sought and to which he was appointed as could be possible for men in civil life in this country to be.

   "It has been stated, and repeated many times, that the secretary of war made these appointments, when the truth is that very few were made upon his recommendation, although he caused the entire list with the recommendations to be compiled and placed before the president for his selection. I would be only too glad to have had the honor to have made these appointments. No better, no more loyal or more patriotic set of men as a whole ever served their country and their appointments were a credit not only to the appointing power, but to the country they served.

   There were exceptions, but that could not have been foreseen. In every walk of life men are found who cannot carry out successfully the work they have undertaken. There were three regiments of cavalry, the officers of which were appointed by the secretary of war. Colonel Leonard Wood, now a brigadier general and commanding the departments of Santiago and Puerto Principe, was one of these. Colonel Grigsby and Colonel Torrey, both good officers, were the other two. There were three regiments of engineers, the colonels of which were all graduates of the military academy, and not only the officers, but the enlisted men were selected with a view to their special fitness, and in most instances upon the recommendations of the colonels themselves, and all proved themselves most efficient.

   "There are also 10 regiments of Immune infantry of whose colonels eight were graduates of the military academy who were selected for special fitness to command and in the short time these regiments were in service, developed remarkable proficiency.

   "Criticisms as to the amounts and methods of expenditures which could imply the wrong or careless use of money were also made by the London Times. This charge is false. So far as the conduct of the service was concerned, no person with any knowledge of the facts can ever charge truthfully and no one can ever show that a dollar was misappropriated, stolen or embezzled, out of the hundreds of millions of dollars that were expended. The records are an open book, and I will be glad to have them rigidly examined and ask my successor to open those accounts to the country whenever properly called for, in order that the entire truth may be known.

   "R. A. ALGER, Secretary of War."

 

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

   The Utica Herald says: Geneva, in this state, is one of the liveliest towns on the continent this summer, or is the home of an inventor of [sorts]. It was close by Geneva the sea serpent was caught recently, and though decided to be an eel, it was the sea serpent of Seneca lake. It was close by Geneva that an eagle, a farmer, his wife and a pig had a catch as catch can struggle, soon after the sea serpent was caught. Then a farmer near Geneva found a huge snake engaged in milking the favorite Jersey of his herd. And Sunday night "Mrs. Hopkins of Pine Plains"— a suburb of Geneva—going down cellar to get kindling  wood, found a six-foot black snake strangling the favorite family cat. Mrs. Hopkins fainted, as became a woman under such circumstances. But she screamed first, and the husband came down into the darkness and fell over Mrs. Hopkins' prostrate form. His hand landed on the snake, which coiled about his arm. To find the throat of 'the monster ' and choke the life out of him was no trick at all for Hopkins.

   What next out of the ordinary will happen to or near Geneva before the summer of 1899 is over, is subject of conjecture. If The Sun's correspondent lives and his imagination escapes paralysis, the end surely is not yet. The dodo may appear at any time.

 

Cortland Opera House.

"Side Tracked" on Monday.

   The attraction at the Cortland Opera House next Monday evening will be the sensational comedy drama, "Side Tracked," which deals with the funny side of life on the railroad. "Side Tracked" is a comedy drama bordering on the farce. It is up to date, and as presented by the A. Q. Scammon company is a most enjoyable entertainment. The play is written to amuse and it never fails to please the most exacting audience. The leading character is a tramp, and to him is accorded a regular ovation. Portrayed by the perfect mimicry of the actor, he appears in a role that appeals to the hearts of every audience, and makes each spectator not only laugh, as each familiar aspect of tramp nature is displayed, but arouses genuine enthusiasm as the heart of oak is seen beating under the ragged jacket of the wayfarer.

   The play is interspersed with bright comedy, sparkling music, pretty girls and charming lovers. Its special scenery and mechanical effects are also worthy of special mention. It is bright, breezy and always on the move. There is a vim and go about it that captures the gallery as well as the elite of every audience. Don't fail to see this latest laughing success. Price 35, 50 and 75 cents. Sale at Rood &Co.'s Saturday morning at 9 o'clock.

S. N. Holden.

 

WILLING TO TEST LAW.

PAVING CO. INSISTS LABOR LAW CANNOT BE ENFORCED

And Refuses to Pay S1.50 for Eight Hours' Work—Some Sharp Talk at the Village Board Meeting—State Authorities to be Communicated With—Extension of Time on Lincoln-ave. is Refused.

   The situation between the village and the Warren-Scharf Asphalt Paving Co. over the labor question is assuming a decidedly serious aspect, and the developments at the meeting of the board of village trustees last night indicate a stormy time in the future unless the atmosphere clears up pretty soon.

   The crisis was reached when the clerk read a letter from the paving company asking an extension of time on the Lincoln-ave. job until Aug. 20. The letter stated that it was expected that the laying of concrete would begin to-morrow and be finished in six days, and this should lie ten days before the spreading of the asphalt. Trustee White moved that the extension be granted, but the motion did not receive a second, the informal discussion turning upon the labor question, the payroll in particular. Mr. Warren was called before the board and he stated plainly that his company was not willing to pay $1.50 for eight hours' work simply because the men did not earn it. President Holden wanted the company to live up to the law and the contract and Mr. Warren strongly insisted that the law could not be enforced, that his company could not be forced to pay $1.50 for a day of eight hours, and he threw down the gauntlet by saying that his company was willing to make a test case right here.

   It was stated that the paving contract contained the statement that "the current rate of wages in this locality for common labor is 15 cents per hour." Mr. Warren said they were now paying more than that, 16 cents per hour. He added that he had made careful inquiry in Cortland and found that common laborers were receiving $1.25 per day. He was receiving applications every day of the week from men who wanted to work at $1.28 per day. The discussion that took place the night the contract was let was recalled, and Mr. Warren doubted that his brother made the statement that they expected to pay 18 3/4 cents per hour. Many who were at the meeting in question distinctly remember Mr. Warren's remarks and that this was his main argument for the increase in the price of the work over last year.

   A motion by Trustee Wood, seconded by Trustee Thompson was adopted instructing the clerk to communicate with the proper state authorities and secure an interpretation of the law on this point.

   Trustee White here renewed his motion for the extension of time on Lincoln-ave. It was seconded by Trustee Sprague and was defeated by an aye and nay vote, Trustees Thompson and Wood voting in the negative and President Holden casting the deciding ballot. Mr. Warren stated that this was the first time his company had ever been refused such a request.

   Engineer Allen submitted plans and specifications for the proposed Port Watson-st. pavement, according to which with stone curb and gutter the cost will be $32,000 and with cement, curb and gutter $29,000. Mr. Allen's plan of disposing of the water from this new pavement is to run it under the D., L. & W. tracks and on down Port Watson-st. to Owen-st. and then into a natural watercourse at this point. In answer to a question, Mr. Allen stated that the cost per linear foot on the street would not vary much from $4. It is proposed to have the street 40 feet wide at Main-st. and narrow gradually to 30 feet at the D., L. & W. tracks. The specific actions call for bids on asphalt 2 inches thick and 1 1/2 inches thick, and bids are to be advertised to be opened Aug. 14.

   The regular night for auditing bills is the first meeting in the month, but last night being so near the first of the month the following bills were passed upon, and it is understood that bills will be audited next week also:

 

 

Fire in Syracuse.

   There was a $60,000 fire in Syracuse last night in the Hogan block occupied by the King Trousers company, and Charles E. S. Week & Co., wholesale clothing. The block was nearly destroyed. It was located on West Fayette-st., midway between South Franklin-st. and South Clinton-st. and had a frontage of 122 feet and was five stories high. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it started in the top floor.

 

THE COUNTY FAIR.

There is Certainly No Lack of Interest This Year.

   As the time draws near for the Cortland county fair which is now a synonym for a fine exhibition, the interest is increasing with marked rapidity. Cortland county fairs have now become recognized as the best agricultural exhibitions in the state of New York. The annual catalogue is being prepared, and there is a great rush for advertising space in it because every one is sure the show is going to be a big success and is going to be attended by big crowds. The dates are Aug. 29, 30 and 31, and Sept. 1.

   William J. Greenman of Cortland is the general superintendent and the following superintendents of departments have been appointed:

   Horses—D. Edgar Kinney.

   Cattle—Lloyd F. Rice.

   Sheep—B. R. Knapp.

   Swine—Frank Blanchard.

   Poultry—W. Eugene Powers.

   Hall—G. W. Fisher.

   Dairy and Field—H. T. Coon.

   Races—C. F. Wickwire.

 

THE FAMOUS GENTRY SHOWS

To Exhibit on the Baseball Grounds on Thursday, Aug. 3.

   Prof. Gentry's famous dog and pony show will exhibit under canvas on the baseball grounds in Cortland on Thursday, Aug. 3, at 2:30 and 8 P. M. It is a good show and thoroughly worth attending. The entire trainload of animals which includes the new features for this year have all been trained to perform some new act which entirely eclipse all their former efforts. Prof. Gentry's show this year is twice its former size and vastly better than ever before. The prices of admission are children 15 cents, and for adults 25 cents.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The new bicycle ordinance goes into effect to-morrow. It appears in full in another column.

   —Frank O. Halley, the boot black, went to Ithaca this morning where he will remain during the firemen's convention.

   —The doctors In the city are having considerable business looking after the patients who are afflicted with the summer grip.—Ithaca News. There is not a great deal of it in Cortland this season.

   —The Ithaca band will be augmented by the addition of ten men to-morrow and play with thirty-two pieces during the three days the city will be given up to the firemen. The ten players have been selected from among the best.—Ithaca Journal.

   —The Lackawanna company will use the name "Lackawanna R. R." for marking its cars and engines. The designation is used in big letters on the side of freight cars and on the door of the car in small letters is "D., L. & W." It is proposed to repaint and reletter every car owned by the company.

   —The famous silver hose cart of the Emeralds of Cortland will be on exhibition in No. 5's room on West State-st. during the convention until the parade. The Conger Hose company of Groton has a hose carriage that will be exhibited in the same room. It is said that it is very fine as a work of art.—Ithaca Journal.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—A. J. Scammon Co., "Side Tracked," page 5; D. McCarthy & Sons, Wash fabrics, page 4; C. F. Brown, Prescriptions, page 4; Gladding &, Brown, Laundry, page 6; Warren, Tanner & Co., Drygoods, carpets, etc., page 6; Bingham & Miller, Handkerchief imperial, page 4.