The Hawaiian Gazette

TRANSPORTS TO GO.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.—Secretary Root and Adjutant General Corbin are getting tired of the transport service and are considering the transfer of the entire business to a private company. In this they are opposed by Quartermaster General Ludington and his chief assistant, Colonel Bird, who believe the government is doing its transporting to the Philippines more satisfactorily than private parties could. General Corbin said today in conversation with Senator Perkins that the time was about ripe for a change and that Secretary Root shared this view.

"Within a month or two," General Corbin said, "we hope to have offers from steamship companies to take over the business of transporting supplies and troops to and from the Philippines. This is a matter that should be done by contract, like everything else, but it was in such shape at first that no private contractor could undertake the work on the scale required."

Three or four attempts are being made by as many different men looking to the formation of a syndicate for handling this business, which means the permanent establishment of an American-Philippine steamship line. The Pacific Mail is reported to be anxious to get the business and will probably make an offer. If arrangements are not made with parties now in the field it is probable that the War Department will invite bids.

During the past year, according to General Corbin, the government has expended $9,000,000 on the transport service. Secretary Root believes this can be reduced by contracting. Part of the bargain to be struck with a private company will be to sell the vessels now in the transport service. In this respect some difficulty is looked for, and the government is almost sure to come out at a considerable loss on account of the lavish expenditures in repairing the transports.