Kansas City daily journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1892-1897, 1896-11-20
INVESTIGATION IS ON.
COMMITTEE PROBING INTO SOL
DIERS' HOME CHARGES.
GOVERNOR SMITH TESTIFIEs.
EXPLAINS THE GENERAL MANAGE
MENT OF THE HOME.
Little of Importance Brought Out
Yesterday-severaI TfIts Between
Governor smith and Con-
EressmaR BIue- In
quiry Lengthy.

Leavcnworth. Kas., Nov. I3.-(Special)
Contrary to the prearranged plan' the
congressional committee 10 investigate the
Leavenworth National Soldiers home
went 70 that institution this morning to
hold its session. instead OF meeting in this
city. THIS course was deemed best, as It
was desired to inquire into the plan OF
general management of the institution
prior 10 deIving into the investigation of
the numerous complaints that led up TO
The appointment of the committee.
Congressman V. Warner, Of the Thir-
teenth Illinois district, a member Of the
committee, put in his appearance at noon,
making ali the members of the committee
present but Representative Sayers, of Tex
as The whereabouts Of the latter is not
known, and ne is not expected 10 arrive
for several days.
Major William Warner, OF Kansas City,
who is one of the counsel for Governor
Smith. put IN his appearance shortly after
noon, having left ST. Louis at o'clock this
morning, in response 10 telegram.
Congressman II. ". Blue, of Kansas,
was present throughout she session of the
Gay and assumed the part Of representing
the prosecution. There was one or two
lively tilts between Mr.. Blue and Governor
Smith, as to the exact status OF 3Ir. Blue
in connection with the proceedings, but,
as a ruie. the proceeding were of a some
what listless nature. covering only old
beaten matters that have been aired in the
publia press time and again.
.
$50 o'clock and met in Governor Smith s
Office the governor being called the
nTst witness. He was the oaly one eX-
amined throughout Jas Gay, and was al
lowed to give. IN d narrative way, the plan
OF the home management. He told all
about the collection and disbursement OF
the post fund" and the 'Keeley cJSe" at
the nome, these TWO subjects consuming
nearly all thu session.
IN a pathetic way the governor told OF
the conditions that led up to the estab-
lisnment Of the KeeIey institute a. the
home and submitted comparison CT the
record Of arrests prior 10 and aster the in
PRODUCTION OF the Kelley cure, giving a
graphic description OF his pers onal eXpe-
EIenee with the liquor habit and how. aft
er eighteen months OF constant effort and
failure TO abstain from drink, he finally,
in order TO save his position and friends.
resolved to take the Kelley cure, which
he did on September II, 1891, since which
date he sYowed that Hot a drop of alco-
holic sumulants OF any nature had passed
his lips.
He also exhibited TO the committee the
original contract that had been entered
into with DR.. Leslie Z. Kelley for the
treatment at the home. showing that such
contract had been made by Governor Nor
rF1 t--hn n 1F h9F ffFnE wa he ? ~
aEer of the home( who acted for the ma
tioHal board of managers, and DR.. keeley;
that the total cost OF giving such treat
ment to the veterans was $3.50, which left
a profit of s. on each case iredted.
bowling alley Is now belrg erected at
the home, the payment for which is being
taken from the post fund, and Mr. Blue
asked Governor Smith why the post fund
should not pay for on hospital as well a
bowling alley, to which the governor re-
piled: "A hospital is a vital necessity; an
absolute adjunct Of civilization; a bowling
alley is a mere matter Of amusement"
Congressman Leighton said: Governor,
see by your annual report that the
church building here cost S90O0-sT0NO of
which was paid out OF the post fund and
5000 by the general government" to which
the governor said that 5000 was all the
government funds that could he gotten
for the purpose, and by direction Of the
drawn upon.
At this tuncture Mr.. Blue said: This
post fund is a fruitful source Of corrup-
tion.'
With some show Of feeling. Governor
Smith said: what do you mean by cor
rupton?''
"I mean" said Mr. Blue. ITO say that
the post fund should be under the control
of congress. as It is extrav8gantly applied
Governor Smith here said that 200 men,
bers of the Keeley League were in the
room below and he asked the committee to
20 down and see these men and ask them
questions. Mr.. Blue objected, saying: "T
want these records to show that in the
midst of an inquiry about the post funds
Governor Smith wanted the committee TO
break away and go below to see an1 talk
70 the Keeley League; 1 want this commit,
tee to ask IL this arrangement has not
been made by the governor"
Further discussion followed about the
post fund. in which Governor Smith re-
ferred TO Mr.. Blue as the prosecutor. when