The San Francisco call., 1896-10-23
THEY DON'T LIKE
HUMPHREYS WAYS
He Is Said to Show No
Mercy for Delin-
quentS.
Charges Which Inspector-Gen
eral Burton Is Now Ii.
vestigating.
OPINIONS OF ARMY MEN.
Co onel Lee, tAe Depot Quartermaster.
Is Said TO B. Hostile TO the
Engineer.
OPINIONS OF ARMY MEN,

Colonel G. III. Burton, U. s. A., inspector
general of the Pacific district, has been
directed by the authorities at Washington
to investigate certain charges preferred
against J. III. Humphrey, civilian and
an engineer employed IN the Office of
Colonel A. S. Kimball, chief quarter
master of The Department of California.
Mr.. umphrey is known rs an inspector
OF work and material who compels every
contractor for Government work TO live
up to the strictest requirements Of con-
tract specifications.
Some time ago anonymous circular let
ters were sent to many contractors in San
francisco, among them several who had
worked for the Government and whose
work was inspected by Engineer Hum
phrey. The circular requested the con-
tractors TO call at a certain place. Quite q
number called at the place appointed.
Then they were informed that charges
were to be preferred against Humphrey
and they were asked if they had any thing
to add.
1t is the gossip in army circles that one
officer of high rank is hostile to the en-.
gineer and has assisted in procuring the
investigation. At the Presidio it is said
that this officer is Colonel Lee, the depot
quartermaster; but at department head
quarters nothing can be obtained to verify
this statement.
Colonel Kimball says distinctly that
there are no charges of dishonesty against
is positive. He declares that the en-
gineer's integrity is beyond all question.
Colonel Ludington and Colonel Chandler,
who were predecessors of Colonel Kim ball
as chief quar.ermaster, each gave letter
testifying in the highest manner to the
engineer s integrity and ability. General
Batchelder, when quartermaster-genera
officially acknowledged the worth and
capabiity of The engineer. 1t is claimed
that Colonel Burton's Investigation will
bring these facts to tight and show that
the charges were instigated mainly by
contractors who were forced to respect
specifications in regard to work done and
material supplied.
1t is acknowledged that Humphrey is
not the most suave and genial of men in
dealing with delinquent. contractors.
When he finds material defective in
weight or measurement he does not say to
the contractor .PIease remove this and
substitute other material" He is more
apt to say, Take it off the reservation
and put in what your contract requires" !"
During his, s,fifteen years of service aSin-
spector of work and material for he Gov
ernment he has made hosts of enemies.
his experience has taught him that there
is nothing 10 be gained by ening 10
any excuses for variation from the specii-
cations. He is charged by the contractors
with uttering language of an abusive char
acter and exercising spirit OF domination
that is tyrannical
AT the Presidio Club and at department
headquarters yesterday the inquiry was
the topic of discussion. 1t seemed to be
the sentiment that the kick of the con-
tractors would make the engineer stronger
than ever, although it was mentioned that
Humphrey was inclined to exercise more
authority than his position warranted,
and often exercised it in manner that
was decidedly unpleasant.
At the present time Engineer Hum
phrey is inspecting the work at the wells,
pumping plant and tunnel. the copstrue-
tion of barracks. the building OF the sta BILE
and the extensive grading at the Presidio.
Colonel kimhall asserts that the contrac-