Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-02
THE CASE ENDED.
Testimony for Defense In DOdd Court
Martial.

Martial.
The trial of Ensign Willard L. Dodd, U.
S. N, by court-martial, on specifications
alleging attempts to defraud the proprietor
of the Sturtevant House, New York, and
Mrs. Lambert of this city out of money on
account of board, and also in making a
false and fraudulent official statement to
Disbursing Agent Titcomb of the U. S.
| fish commission, reached an end this after
noon.
Chief Clerk Herbert A. Gill of the fish
commission who was on the stand yeSter-
day afternoon when the Stars report of
the proceedings closed, testified as to the
correctness of the facts set forth in the
specifications as did DSburSing Agent Tit
comb, who was the only other witness pro-
| duced. The facts referred to, in brief were
that while conducting survey of the St.
CroiX river, Maine, under the direction of
the commissioner OF fish and fisheries, En-
sign Dodd received several sums of money
for the purpose of defraying necessary eX-
penSeS in connection with the work. He
was directed, early in September last, to
return vouchers for the money expended.
together with such cash as remained in his
possession. to the dsbursing agent.
In a letter dated Woods Holl, September
H. to Agent Titcomb Dodd stated that he
would forward under separate cover a
statement of the total amount expended by
him and money orders for the balance in
his hands due the commission. Ensign
until october l, 1884, and therein lies the
charge Of making a fraudulent official
statement
The Defense.
When the court convened at 10 o'clock
this morning the record of the proceedings
yesterday was read and approved. Then
Ensign Dodd took the witness stand and
submitted his defense to the last charge
made. He claimed that at the time he
mailed the letter dated September L. to
the dlsbursing agent of the fish commits
sion he had in his possession the cash with
which to purchase the money orders. AS
matter of accommodation he cashed a
check for one OF party of scientists on
board the Fish Hawk, and soon thereafter
learned that the drawer of the check in
question had not sufficient funds in bank
to cover the amount called for by the
check. Ensign Dodd explained to the court
that he waited until he could secure pay
ment on the check at the bank, and then
Immediately forwarded the money orders
to the disbursing agent of the fish commits
sion.
taken to await the arrival of Lieut. c.
MGR. Winslow, u. s. N, stationed at The
New York navy yard, who was notified
yesterday afternoon by wire to appear to-
day on behalf Of the accused.
Strong Indorsement.
Lieut.. Winslow soon put in an appear
ance. After giving his rank and station
since January, 1892, when the latter be-
came attached to the torpedo boat Cush-
ing. of which the witness was in command
The Gushing at the time was preparing to
go to Chile. Ensign Dodd was connected
with the vessel until October, 1892, and.
according to Lieut.. Winslow, performed
his duties in most satisfactory manner at
all times, well any commanding Off
Ger could desire. He was thoroughly eff
cient in every respect, and members of the
torpedo board remarked to the witness to
that effect. Lieut.. Winslow characterized
Ensign Dodd as an officer of the strictest
integrity, adding that he had often han
died money belonging to the men, and 10
question whatever had been raised as to
his honesty. The reports Of the witness
to the Navy Department showed that he
regarded Ensign Dodd as described, and at
the time of his proposed detachment from
the Cushing wrote a lengthy letter to the
department requesting that, on account of
his efficiency, he be not detached In clos
ing, Lieut.. Winslow said that he desired
to speak as strongly as possible in favor
of Ensign Dodd. This ended the testi-
mony.
A recess was then taken, after which At
torney Beall of counsel for the accused
began his summing up address to the
court He was followed by Judge Advo-
cate Lauchheimer, and the trial was at an
end
The court will probably submit its find
ings to the Department on Monday, but 1t
is expected that several weeks will elapse
before the result is made public.