The times., 1900-12-28
SERIOUS CHARGES MADE.
An Alleged Combine to Control the
Philippine Hemp Output.


Major Erastus L. Hawkes., formerly OF
the volunteer infantry. yesterday filed
with the Secretary of War charges against
Lieut.. Col no. s. Heistand in which he
| accuses him of conduct unbecoming an
officer and gentleman. He asks that the
matter be given early attention. The
specifications set forth that Colonel Heis-
tand has represented that Adjutant General
Corbin, Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn,
Governor Allen of Porto Rico, and Judge
James E. Boyd of the United States Dis
trict of North Carolina were interested
in deal to form a sort of cordage trust
for the purpose of controlling the output
of hemp in the Philippines. In order to
do this it is alleged that they agreed to
use the prestige of their official positions
to evade the tariff laws and conduct the
business upon such basis that the COM
pany which it was proposed TO form would
practically control the hemp market.
Major Hawkes. declares that Colonel
Heistand approached him several months
ago and sought to have him organize a
company which he promised would have
the backing and support of the officials
named. With the understa nding that the
officials mentioned would lend their aid to
the project Major Hawkes. asserts he
started about the formation of a COM
pany, and succeeded in interesting a large
number of men who were willing TO put
money in the scheme. He also states that
he expended several hundred dollars in
getting matters into shape. Colonel Heis-
tand was then ordered to China. where he
is at the present time. acting as adjutant
on the staff Of General Chaffee in Pekin.
After the cofonefs departure from Wash
ington Major Hawkes. AYERS that he was
informed by the officials mentioned that
they were not interested in the alleged
combination.
Accompanying the charges and specifica-
tions is the following letter:
Washington. Dec, %, 1900
Hon. Elilu Root, Secretary OF War. Washing
ton, ID. C.:
Sir: herewith Submit respectfully memoran-
dunn of charges and specifications against Lieut..
Col. II. o. S. Heistand assistant adjutant general
L. $ A., asking that the same may be given i'm
mediate attention. and trial had at the earliest
possible date Very respectfully.
ERASTus L. HAWKES..
SIS Tenth Street northwest.
The following are the charges and speci-
fications as filed:
Charges and specifications preferred against H. o
5. Heistand, Lieutenant Colonel and Assistant
Adjutant Geperal, L. :. A, by Erastus L.
Hawkes.
Charge Conduct unbecoming an officer and
gentleman. Specifications: In this. that the
said II. o. s. Heistand on or about the Ist day
of May. 1876, did represent to me and to Others
that his superior officer. Adiutant General H. c.
Corbin, and also Assistant Secretary OF War
George ID. Meikleiohn. former Assistant Secretary
of the Navy Allen (now Governor OF Porto Rico)
and former Assistant Attorney General James f.
Boyd NOV Emitted States District judge for Norti
Carolins). were ready and willing and had agreed
to enter a combination for the purpose Of OF
eanizing a company for the manufacture Of
coriagc at Manila =. L., and to control the out
put of hemp from the Philippine Islands, stat
ing that the said islands would he under military
occupation for at least ten years and that by
reason OF their high official position. those named
could procure for the company certain business
advantages including among Others an arrange
ment of the tariff to meet lis necessities and
further, after much money and several months
of time had been spent on my part Lieut.. Col. II.
o. s Heistand represented that Assistant Sccre-
tary OF the Navy Allen and Adiutant General
Corbin had withdrawn all connections with the
proposed cohiPany. all of which association and
purposes have been denied by each and every
one OF the above named parties.
ERASTJ'S L. HAWKES..
Iaiei Major 10th u. :. Yoi Inf.