The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-12
IN THE HANDS OF COL. BARR.
CAPT. o. VI. CARTER NOW UNDER
GOING CROSS EXAMINATION.

Mr.. Blair Concluded with an Ac-
count of Capt. Carter's Meeting
Cept. GiIIette-COI. Barr's First
Question About the Name @. o.
Montgomery Assumed on His Trip
to Cnnada-CIOscIy Questioned on
the Subjects of Advertisements
and Sending out Specifications,
The Advertisements for Bids in
1896 Made Special Mark-MOre
About the Twiggs Fascine.
The cross examination of Capt Carter
before the court martial was reached yes
terday, and it promises to be a long one,
going into numerous details.
The direct examina ton by Mr.. Blair was
concluded shortly after y O'Clock. Capt.
Carter went into further explanations of
the work and concluded the direct exam
ination with a statement as to his meer-
ing Capt. Gillette in Washington and the
| conversation had on that occasion.
The first question asked by Col. Barr
of Capt. Garter was as to the name, c.
O. Montgomery, assumed by him on the
Chief Clerk sterly testified. Col. Barr
then went into the matter of advertising
for bids. the Bangs contract on Cumber>
land sound. the sending out of specifica-
tons, the Twiggs contract and other mat
ters.
Capt Carriers direct examination was
turned largely upon the works themselves
In ba fitr nd in Curo bar md
sound and the principles upon which they
were constructed.
Mr.. Blair first asked Capt. Carter about
his absence from Savannah on May "a,
1887, he being reported present. 1t is charg-
ed that the report was intended to de-
ceive the Secretary of War. 1t is held
on the other hand that this could not
possibly have been the case since Capt.
Carter was in the office, of the Secretary
of War on that day and afterward re-
ceived a telegram from the Secret ary of
War addressed TO him in New York. This
telegram was among his private papers,
and was introduced in evidence by the
defense, to show that the Secretary of War
knew where he was at the time. This
from Savannah thanking the Secretary OF
War and others in connection with the
matter of his appointment as military
attaehe to London.
Capt. Garter took up the work in Sa-
vannah harbor in detail explaining differ
ent features of 1t by a chart which was
exhibited on the blackboard. Several mat
IN
have been called into question by the pros
eeution were carefully explained. Capt.
Carter said IL was necessary for him to
be on the work nearly all the time. 1t
was impossible 10 remain in the office and
conduct IL properly.
AS to the report of new soundings on
Tybee breakwater, by which the estimate
of mattresses to construct the work was
considerably increased, In connection with
which Capt. Carter was charged with
conspiracy to defraud the government.
Capt. Garter stated that for certain rea-
sons the breakwater was shifted some
what. The work was under Assistant
Engineer A. S. Cooper, and 1t was Cooper
who reported to him the new soundings
upon which the increased estimates were
based Capt. Carter said he had seen sew
eral of these new soundings in Cooper's
note books. in the engineer office, but had
not been able to find all of them. The
report of the new sOundlngs was made to
him verbally and not as a written report.
In this connection Capt, Carter explained
the construction of the breakwater and
the engineering philosophy in connection
with the work.
He next took up the Cumberland sound
work, explaining the mattress hearting''
phrase in his reports as referring to the
entire project there, and not to the work
which had not there been done. He had
differed with the board of engineers with
regard to the project there, and the man
ner In which the work should be done
and explained why he considered his plan
the proper one. The conditions at Cum
berland sound We're explained to show
| how a single curved jetty might have
| done the work desired, this being Capt
| Carriers plan, which was disapproved by
the board of engineers.
Mr., Blair then took up the conspiracy
specifications and asked Capt Carter
| categorical questions, as to whether he
so managed the advertising, the sending
| of specifications, and the giving out of
information as 70 give an advantage over
other contractors to the Atlantic Contract
ing Company, to which Capt. Carter re-
| piled positively that such was not the
case, but that he had always given the
| same information to all who had applied
for IT,
| )fd you ever IN any way, directly or
indirectly receive any money from the
contractors in this district?" Mr.. Blair
| asked
No, sir, not in this nor in any other
district" was the reply.
Capt, Carter then gave a statement of
his meeting Capt Gillette and the CONVEX
sation between them IN Washington when
Capt. Gillette was coming to Savannah.
lie said he told Capt Gillette he regret
ted having to leave, and being unable TO
remain TO go over the works with him.
but gave him an account of the work as
| fully as he could at that time He told
him that there was very little left for him
in Savannah harbor. but that there was
a good deal yet to be done in Cumberland
sound, and that that work would afford
an excellent opportunity for him. He gave
him several letters of introduction. he
said, and Invited him to occupy his house
which he had rented until October. He
also told him that If there was ANYTHING
about WHICH he wanted further informa-
ton to write or telegraph him and it
would be furnished
| Did Capt Gillette ever call on Won for
any information after that timer" was
|