The times., 1901-03-14
THE HEMP INVESTIGATION.
Plan of Procedure Arranged by
the Senate subcommittee.

The Senate Committee on Military Az
fairs yesterday held a meeting to lay
down a plan OF procedure in the proposed
investigation into the charges made by
Major E. l.. Hawks. against Lieutenant
Colonel Heistand, Adjutant General Cor
bin. George D. Meikleiohn, Assistant Sec
retary of War; James E. Boyd, Assistant
Attorney General, and Che rles II. Allen,
Governor of Porto Rico. and formerly
Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
The charges were brought to the fore
and an investigation ordered by the adop-
ton of a resolution offered by Mr.. Petit
grew, follows
Whereas it has been charged in the
public print that Lieut. Col. II. y. ).
Heistand, Assistant Adlutant General
was. in the summer of 1899. engaged in
forming a combination for the purpose of
controlling the hemp output of the Phil
ippine Islands; and
Whereas it is further stated that on
various occasions he represented as as
sociated with him in the progress of such
enterprise George ID. Meillejohn, Assist
ant Secretary of War; James T.. Boyd,
Assistant Attorney General; Charles II.
Allen, then Assistant Secretary of the
Navy, and II. c. Corbin, Adjutant Cen
eral; and whereas il is further stated that
in connection with the formation of such
company said Lieut. Col II. o. S. Heis-
tand, intending to indicate that the tariff
duties of the Philippine Islands would be
adjusted for its benefit, when formed,
wrote the following letter:
g" Washington D. c., July 81. 1889
! " My Dear Major Hawks:
" Your note of the 18th TO hand, and |
| note with qualification what you say of
our prospects and progress. / have sent
you pamphlet showing export duties,
and so forth, as at present arranged. OF
course, the needs of the future will be
met as developments require.
II. o. S. HEIsTAND;'
Whereas it is alleged that because of a
claim made by Major Hawks upon Lieu
tenant Colonel Heistand for compensation
| for his services in connection with the
formation OF such company and in part
settlement thereof George u. Meiklejohn.
Assistant Secretary of War, guaranteed
to Major Hawks a substantial position in
the Government service, and did appoint
him to the position of customs inspector
in the Philippine Islands; aud whereas
shortly after his entry upon service as
such inspector by an order dated before
the commencement of said service said
Major Hawks was summarily removed
from such position:
Resolved by the Senate of the United
States of America. That the Committee
on Military Affairs be, and it is hereby,
directed to investigate and report 10 the
Senate whether the foregoing statements
are true, and particularly ii Lieutenant
Colonel HeiStand was engaged in such
lied to represent that other Government
officials were SO engaged with him, and
that tariff duties would be adjusted for
their benefit: and also whether the AS
SiStant Secretary of War has used Gov
ernment positions for the purpose of pay
ing private debts of any officer of the
Governments and whether the salary of
such position was charged against funds
arising from the Philippine Islands; and
with full authority to said committee to
summon witnesses. administer oathS, and
employ a stenographer.
The subcommittee which will conduct
the investigation is composed of the fol-
lowing Senator's: Messrs. Hawley, Chair
man; Proctor, Burrows, Harris, and
CockreIl. Mr.. Proctor was appointed
chairman. but was displaced by reason
of his leaving for Cuba on Monday.
1t was reported that the investigation
would be delayed on this account, but the
committee yesterday decided to have no
postponement
The hearing will continue until about
April u. and some of the most prominent
officials in the War and Navy Depart
ments will be called on as witnesses. be
sides those named in the resolution.
The meeting yesterday afternoon was
behind closed doors and plan of pro-
ceJure was outlined. The order in which
witnesses will he called was fixed and the
real business of taking testimony will
begin at O'CLOCK this afternoon.