Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-04-20
The War Department Investigation.
A Moth EyrferIa iHaf0r's SfOrU.

After our report of the proceedings before
the Committee on Expenditures in the War
department closed Yesterday, George w.
BTega continued his testimony concerning
the army moth preventative contract. He
testified that he went to see the Secretary OF
War, and asked for a copy of the charges
asainst the company. The secretary gave
d II be would crafty his request. Wit
ness went to Long Branch TO see the PreSi-
dent; was rot acquainted with either the
President or General Babcock.
sAw BABCOCK,
and told his story. Witness was told that
there must be some mistake about 1t; that
the secretary OF war would be there in fe "
days, and that he had better wait till Gen,
Babcock came before going to see the Prssi-
dent. Witness did not wait, and IN a few days
5eceiyed copy Of the charges
money paid 10 the company was about
100000. The company put in am answer to
the charges as follows: They deny that
COL. PIATT
was ever employed as agent or attorney for
the company; that Plat was simply en-
ployed to presentsuch facts as the quarter
the attention OF The War department and
such pert Ons in Congress as he might know.
They say that Colonel Piatt was paid I'm full
for all his services, according , agreement
which was verbal; that if he had q cass
against the company, the courts are open to
him for relief They protested against his
attempts to induce the War department by
misstatementS TO Interfere in his behalf.
They never told Piatt that they could not
pay him because they had expended large
sums 10 employees and officers OF the War de-
paQtment, but told him that he was paid in
fun They deny Piatt's statement that an
employe of their company told him tide pro-
cess was fraud, as no employe knows the
rationale of the process.
GEN. GARFIELD.
They go On AT length and defend their pro-
cess and continue: "As TO Gen. Garheld's
telegram, it cont aims no evidence whatever,
and we can prove that on the 10th or Il tn OF
July last MI. Cowles heard that Dom Piatt
stated that he (Piatt) had telegraphet 10
Gen; GARFIELD 10 telegraph to the Secretary
OF war 10 suspend our work. Gen. Garield's
dispatch is dated August Z. IL is evident
that Gen. Garfield acted under the misrepre-
sentatiOn of Dom Piatt.' The company
defend their integrity al len 9Th, and ask that
the order of suspension be revoked. This
statement was sworn TO and mailed TO Gen.
w w. Belknap, Secretary of War, August
Il, 1S14- The committee adjourned.
GEN. GARFIELD EXPLAINS.
Gen. Garfield states In regard to his alleged
connection with the CowleS and Brega moth
preventative and of his telegram TO the Sec
rotary of War, to which Brega alluded, that
after the first appropriation was made the
committee received a letter that the prepa-
ration was humbug. Quartermaster Gen
eral Meigs, who was summoned before the
committee, said that the board appoint ted TO
examine the preparation was hostile to it,
Another board was appointed, and the result
Mas tndI lurtner appropriation was made.
Before the next meeting Of Congress it was
noised abroad that COWles and Brega said
they had paid SO, goo to secure the introduc-
lion OF their preparation. Gen. Garfield, who
was then i'm the west, heard that the SeCre-
tary of War had suspended the contract, and
he Immediately telegraphed to him to stand
hrm in his suspension. Gen. Garfield says
this telegram and the letters which he after
wards sent Will show that he wished the con-
tract suspended until an investigation could
he had. lie says he never heard until yester-
lay that Dom Piatt had been the cause Of
the eGl pension Of the contract.