The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-23
THREE WITNESSES EXAMINED.
Strict Secrecy Prevails About the
River Investigation.

1t is now apparent that the public will
not be RECALLED with any of the proceedings
before the investigating board which Is
| looking into the work done under the SUI
pervision of Capt. Carter, on the river and
harbor here and at Fernandina.
The second days session Of the board
was as unfruitful Of interest, so far as the
public is concerned, as was the first. The
board held two sessions, morning and al
ternoon, and as it began taking evidence
yesterday the services of a stenographer
were found necessary. Mr.. J. S. Harrison,
the official stenographer Of the city court
was secured by the board, and he viii
take down and transcribe the evidence and
other proceedings
only three witnesses were before the
board during the day. Messrs. Arthur S.
cooper, an engineer whose duties are al
together in the office, Paul +. Twiggs, an
inspector on the river and harbor work,
and T.. A. G.esler. chief assistant engineer,
attached to the off e of the United States
engineer All of these served under Capt.
carriers administration, and they were
called upon in the order named. Both Capt
Carter and Capt Gillette were at the near
ing, and thay examined the witness
es in turn. AS to the nature of the inqui-
be ascertained
Col. Geo. l.. Gillespie chairman of the
board, was seen and asked if there was
anything to be sad, concerning the pro-
ceedings.
1 have nothing whatever to say" was
his brief. but direct reply.
capt. Gillette furnished similar infor-
nation with regard to the proceedings,
stating merely tina the board desired that
nothing be given out. In fact it is under
stood that those present during the pro-
ceedings were put on their honor not to di-
Vulge anything mat transpired. The eX-
animation of witnesses will be continued
to-day and it is not known now just when
| the members of the board will make their
inspecting trip down the river
Inc current number of the Army and
Navy Journal, referring to the case, says:
me yellow journalism of New York
TOOK on 'yelower' tinge on Tuesday last
when II printed a sensational story con-
corning Capt. 0. NJ. Carter of the engi-
neering corps of the army. 1t alleged that
ne was to be eourt-martlaled because of
discrepancies found in his accounts. Those
VINO know Capt. Carter understood with
out question that the report was absolute
ly untrue. Brigadier Gen. Wilson. chief of
the engineering corps, disposed of this
phase of the matter in a single sentence:
There is absolutely no charge or Informal
ing any discrepancies in Capt Carter's
accounts Capt. Carter, however, is in
some trouble on account of his connection
with the river and harbor improve
ments of Savannah river and Cum
berland sound Complaints have been
received at the war department to the
effect that the contractors failed to OBJ
serve the terms and specifications of the
contracts. So far as the project itself is
concerned, the result is as desired, but
1t is alleged that the mattresses at Fer
nandina are defective. To dispose of
these reports, Gen. Wilson has ordered a
board of engineers, consisting of Col. G.
l.. Gillespie, Maj c. w Raymond and
Maj. H. M. Adams, to proceed to Savan
nah and make an investigation Cant.
Carter returned to the United States to
resume duty with the Nicaraguan canal
commission, of which he is a member.
Upon his arrival in Washington on last
Saturday the complaints against the river
and harbor work were brought to his at
tention and in company with Gen. Wilson
he went to Secretary Ayers home, where
the head of the war department and his
suoordinates discussed the matter. Cant.
Carter was DESTROYS of full investiga-
ton, and the board was then ordered"