The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-14
THE HEMP INVESTIGATION.
A Plan of Procedure Arranged by
the Senate subcommittee

| The Senate Committee on Military At
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
rotary of War. James F. Boyd, Assistant
Attorney General, and Charles 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 resolution offered by Mr.. Petit
grew, as follows:
Whereas it has been charged in the
public print that Lieut. Col II. O. s.
Heistand. Assistant Adiutant General
was, in the summer of 1899. engaged in
forming 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
ISOLATED with him in the progress of such
enterprise George ID. Meiklejohn. Assist
ant Secretary OF War; James h. Boyd,
Assistant Attorney General; Charles H.
Allen, then Assistant Secretary of the
Navy. and fl. c. Corbin, Adjutant Cen
eral; and whereas it is further stated that
in connection with the formation of such
company said Lieut. Col II. 0. S. Heis-
tand, intending to Indicate that the tariff
duties of the Philippine Islands would he
adjusted for its benefit. when formed
wrote the following letter:
Washington, D. G., 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,
anu so forth. as at present arranged. OF
course the needs OF the future will be
met as developments require
Yours. truly,
and - Ia - AM
Whereas it is alleged that because Of a
claim made by Major Hawks upon Lieu
tenant Colonel Heistand for CONDENSATION
Tor ms services in connection with the
formation of such company and in part
settlement thereof George D. Meikleiohn
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
i'll the Philippine Islands: and 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 to the
Senate whether the foregoing statements
are true, and particularly ii Lieutenant
Colonel Heistand was engaged in such
combination, and was or was not author
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 !
eminent positions for the purpose of pay |
ing private debts of any officer of the !
Government. and whether the salary of |
such position was charged against funds /
arising from the Philippine Islands; and |
with fun authority to said committee to /
summon witnesses. administer oathS, and |
employ stenoSrapher.'
The subcommittee which will conduct |
the investigation is composed of the fol- /
lowing Senators: Messrs Hawley, Chair
man; Proctor. Burrows, Harris, and
Cockrell. Mr.. Proctor was appointed
chairman. but was displaced by reason
If his leaving for Cuba on Monday.
1t was reported that the investigation
you'd be delayed on this account. but the
yesterday decided to have no
The hearing will continue until about
April -. and some of the most prominent
officials in the War and Navy Depart
nents will be called on as witnesses be-
ides those named in the resolution.
The meeting yesterday afternoon was
,ehind closed doors and a plan of pro-
edure was outlined. The order in which
Witnesses will he called was fixed and the
eal business Of taking testimony will
e.sin at O'Clock this afternoon.