New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-19
THE BEEF COURT AT WORN.
SELECTING WITNESSES AND OUTLINING
PROCEDURE.
cr~ERA1. MILES TO TESTIFY TOMORROW
COLONEL. DAVIES VISIT TO WEST
ERN pACKING-HOUsFs.

EEN FAt klNA'-ft't 9f,''
Washington. Feb. lS.-The Court or inquiry 10
exannine into the beef charges preferred by cen
ora, Miles went into executive session as SOON
as ~ assembled to-day. and proceeded with us
work Of selecting witnesses 10 hc summoned an"
mapping out plan Of procedure NUMBER o.
witnesses who will hc examined have repo'lou'
among them being Colonel Powell ana MAJOR
IN. Lee Of the 9th Infantry; Captain duncan
q, the DIS, Infantry. and Major Jackson oil me
A cavalry. Others who viii appear arc Major
A. W. Corliss and Captain n. L. Earrell Of the
TIN Infantry: Major 4. II. Bowman. Of the "a
Infantry: Captain Hughes Of the 1871 Infantry
rdeutenant.C Colonel T. II. Liscum. OF She 2''h
Infantry: Bricader-Ge G. u. Niele ana
Major J. ". Bell. Of the ist Cavalry. These OIL
GERS we're in either the Santiago or Porto F''
expedition and are among those who nave
made reports on the beef Several representa-
,,yes Of the beef-packing companies are also IN
the city.
II was announced that the first formal session
would 10 held on Monday and the hearing Of
testimony would begin then. The cour; Will
meet at its quarters in the Lemon Building at
10 O'Clock and viii proceed 10 the White House
where the members will pay their respects TO
the President They will next so 10 the war
Department and present themselves formally
20 Secretary Alger. and finally to General Miles.
Returning at once 10 their rooms they viii be-
Gin work General Miles will be looked TO for
comprehensive statement Of his charges ana
will be examined as to his statement before the
War Commission and his alleged newspaper in
terviews. His examination Will he limited
closely to his charges and the basis for them,
and II is understood that should an attempt be
made 70 elicit from him a statement as 10
whether he had entertained any animus II VIII
BE- held he need not answer the questions.
General Miles will be followed 10y other wit
nesses on whom he will rely for confederation.
Following them will come the witnesses who
will he expected to deny the charges Of the
commanding general Tho privilege OF being
represented by counsel before the court viii be
exercised by the beef concerns but ID is not
General Mnes's present intention 10 have cOun-
sci He does not consider himself as being on
trial. but merely called upon % present his
contentious in regard 20 the beef furnished TO
the Army and offer testimony in substantial
ton OF his position. 1t is possible that circum-
stances will make It wise for him 10 be repre-
scented by counsel. but at present ne does not
consider il likely.
Colonel George b Davis the recorder Of the
court. under the military regulations win act
as Judge advocate The impression that he
or. which has gained some currency. therefore
IS erroneous His duties require him 70 secure
all the witnesses possible. in order to present
fully 10 the court all phases Of the controversy
essential to reaching sound conclusions. and 1t
with this object that he recently VISITED
come Of the packing houses in the West. While
there he made a study Of the methods employed
in order that he might pass integently on the
matter OF witnesses and testimony offered by
the beef interests.
The work Of the court to-day was chiefly con
fined to the examination Of reports Of officers
furnished 10 General Miles in order 10 determine
finally who il will be necessary TO summon,
whose dispositions shall be taken and whose
testimony is not essential