Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-17
Informal Meeting Of the Miles Court
Of Inquiry.
CONSIDERING LIST OF WITNESSES
Other Cities May Be Visited to
Hear Testimony.
SCOPE OF THE HEARINGS

Another informal meeting of the military
court of inquiry appointed to investigate
the army beef scandal was held today at
the Lemon building. 1t was expected that
the formal session of the court would begin
at 10 o'clock this morning, but it was post
poned. All the members of the court as
sembled at 10 o'clock in the large chamber
vacated recently by the war investigating
commission and at once went into execu-
tive session.
The recorder, Col. Davis, stated to The
Star that the executive session was for the
purpose of outlining the course of the in
quiry. The court began the preparation of
the list of witnesses and prepared the for
NAL summons.
Gen. Miles will, in all probability, be the
first witness Col. Davis stated. AS his al
legations concerning the refrigerated beef
form the basis of the inquiry, it is proper
to examine him first and then the regi-
mental officers whose complaints to him
about the meat given them were submitted
by Gen Miles to the war commission will
be the next called. Then the beef compa-
MES will offer the testimony of their Off
GERS, representatives, and agents in oppo-
sition to allegations affecting their action
with regard to government contracts
The court cannot take cognizance of any
evidence offered to the war commission as
to the subject under inquiry now, but it
will be within the proper scope of the court
to call before it any member of that COM
mission to identify any document in con-
nection with the case In other words, as
the allegations. which are being inquired
into, Were made by General Miles to the
war commission upon the strength of a pa
per containing extracts from the COM
plants of regimental officers to him, the
original paper will be offered in evidence
and identified by member of the commits
sion.
Probability of IA Long Session.
In every other respect the present court
must break new ground and examine wit
nesses as if they had never before testi-
fed.
Colonel Davis stated that there is every
probability that the court will be in session
quite time.
In fact" said he, I'VE will proceed with
out any reference to time. We will thor
oughly investigate the beef matter nothing
eise. and will spend all the time that may
be necessary to enable to arrive at the
truth. 1t is highly probable that the court
will go to other cities in the pursuit of its
inquiry.
This will be necessary where witnesses
cannot appear before us or where it may
be desirable for the court to get nearer
view of essential conditions than would be
afforded. This latter consideration would
cover. l think, the inspection and examina-
ton of the Methods employed by packing
houses in Strengthening and packing their
meats. and particularly the refrigerating
and canning processes employed by the
firms that supplied the meat in contro-
Versy."
rs it likely that the inquiry may be di-
Verted into an investigation of the conduct
of some person IL connection with the beef
NATTER" inquired the reporter, having Gen.
Miles in mind.
Yes, sir responded Colonel Davis. CAL
legations made concerning the conduct Of
any person will be taken up. the person
examined and witnesses heard in support
or in opposition. The person under inquiry
at that moment will have the right to Cross
examine witnesses themselves TO employ
counsel to represent them"
Swearing witnesses.
Col. Davis said that the court has the
right to swear witnesses. but he was not
certain that It could administer or provide
any punishment in case of perjury.
THE fact is said he, that the question
has never. to my recollection, come up dur
ing the progress of a court of inquiry
Formal Organization.
He stated that the formal organization
cannot take place until the taking of testi-
mony begins. He did not believe that this
Will be before Monday next, as it will take
some time to determine upon the witnesses,
to summon them and then to procure their
attendance in person.
He said he is in favor of continuing the
Informal executive sessions such as was
held today, until all the witnesses are at
hand and the inquiry can proceed without
inconvenient of harassing dalays due to
nOn-attendarce.
The Cause of Inquiry.
Col. Davis stated that the court has re-
ceiVed no notification from any of the per-
sons concerned ir the inquiry of their in
tentiOn to be represented by counsel. This
is not necessary in advance, because the
giving of evidence will be in open session.
ard any one made the subject of examina-
ton would have the right to offer then a
lawyer to conduct the cross-examination in
defense.
He said it is impossible to reach or to i'm
part any idea now of the definite course
that viii be pursued during the investiga-
ton. After the formal opening. future OPP
erations will be wholly determined by cur
rent events, and the court will be ready to
meet and investigate every new issue or
person that may arise within the legal
scope of action.
Two representatives of the western beef
concerns called at the Lemon building to-
day and stated their purpose to represent
their firms at the sessions of the court
Colonel Michler. the chief aid of General
Miles, started toward the place of in
quiry, but learning that there would be no
formal session before Monday returned to
the War Department.
A very convenient arrangement for the
accommodation of the press has been made
by Col Davis. He has placed long table
across the north end of the inquiry cham
Der, facing the long table used by the
court, within hearing distance of witnesses
and Wen lighted from the front and west