Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-19
THE BEEF COURT.
A NUMBER OF PROSPECTIVE W.T.
NEssEs HAVE REPORTED.
FIRST FORMAL SESSION TOMORROW.
Miles VIII Probably lie First to Tes-
observation-disclosures VIII De Rep
resented by Counsel, Hut Miles
VIII Not.

WASHINGTON, February 1s-Tbe
court OF inquiry to examine into tho hoo,
charges preferred by Major General Miles
to-day went into executive session as
soon as IL assembled, and proceeded with
It's work OF selecting witnesses to be sum-
moned, and mapping out a plan Of pro-
cedure. A number OF witnesses TO be ex
amined have reported, among them being
Colonel Powell and Major Jesse NJ. Lee.
OF the Ninth Infantry Captain Duncan,
of the Twenty-frst Infantry, and Major
Jackson. OF the Third Cavalry. Several
other officers are In the city, and several
representatives OF the beef concerns
whose product is In question are here.
In. addition to the officers mentioned in
the foregoing, as being here TO testify,
among the others summoned and who
VIII appear are Major A. W. Corliss and
captain Il. l.. Harrell. Of the Seventh
Infantry; Major NJ. Bowman, OF the Sc
cond Infantry: Captain Hughes, of the
Thirteenth Infantry; Leutenant--olonel
L. Hiscomb, Twenty-fourth Infantry;
Brgadier-General c. ID. Viel and Major
j. NJ. Bell. Of the First Cavalry. These
officers were in either the Santiago or the
Porto Rican expedition and are among
those who have made reports on the beef.
The court, when IL concluded tO-days
session, announced that the first formal
session would be held Monday, and that
the hearing of testimony would then be-
gin.
The court will meet at its quarters, in
the Lemon building, at 10 O'Clock, and
Will proceed to the White House. where
II will pay its respects TO the President.
From there ii will 20 to the War De-
partment and present itself formally 10
Secretary Ager and finally to General
Miles, major-general commanding the
army. Returning at once TO its rooms,
it will begin work.
MATTER OF ANIMUS.
General Miles will probably be the first
witness. He will be looked 70 for q
comprehensive statement of his charges,
and will be examined as 10 his state
ment before the War Commission and
his alleged newspaper interviews. His
examination will be limited closely TO his
charges and the basis for them, and it is
understood that should an attempt be
made 10 elicit from him a statement as
TO whether he has entertained any ami
mus he Will not answer the questions
pro2ounded.
General Miles will be followed by other
witnesses, upon whom he will reply for
corroboration. Following them will be
examined the witnesses who Will be ex-
pected to refute the charges oe the
Majo General.
The privilege 10 be represented by coun-
sci before the court will be exercised by
the beef concerns, but IL is not General
Miles's present intention to have coun-
sell He does not consider himself in the
attitude of being on trial, but merely
called upon TO present his contentious in
regard TO the beef furnished the army,
and to offer testimony TO substantiate his
position. 1t is possible that developments
may arise that will make 1t wise for him
to be represented by counsel, but at
present he does not consider it likely.