The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1901-06-29
THB COURIER.

ages discovered in Major Davis &C.
counts. the brown paper shortages would
be returned. He told his story smooth
ly and plsusibly. and won some friends,
particularly among the Manila news
papers that would not print oil Of the
testimony given in court. presumably
for fear il would prejudice the public
mind against Captain Read or Lieten-
ant Townley. The newspapers had
never given the detail Of the resignation
Of Captain Read before the scandal
burst, nor had they dwelt on the fact
that he had at the same time Withdrawn
his application for . commission in the
regular army. He was willing to do
anything to make it essisr for the high
or officers who discovered his worrying
qualities and who desired to keep the
trouble quiet until thorough investi-
cation could be made. Some feared
that he would make things still
easier by committing suicide. He
threatens now, il the case goes against
him. never to return to the States nor to
any other state where he is known. He
is almost without sympathizers in Ma
Mia, but there is the Pennsylvania po-
Iitical pull in the background and
question Of the legality Of the proceed
ing against him which may set aside the
decision. His lawyers claim the court
martial trial is illegal because the court
was composed Of regular army officers,
instead of volunteer officers. This regu-
lation, l understand, was established by
Secretary Root.
All kinds of stealing have been going
on where it would be impossible to trace
the guilty parties, and no one officer in
charge could be held responsible for
shortages that show up in the investi-
CATION. For instance, box Of jellies
opened in the commisary department
had the middle compartments filled
With blocks Of wood. They were native
woods Of the island, which proved that
the change had been made here in some
jelly excursion. These are losses that
must occur, but the surplus usually
balances the losses in money value.
While Captain Read was worrying the
books showed q loss of $4,000 and a
surplus Of $50, 600. which ought to have
comforted him. The sl25OOO steal that
was reported has dwindled down to less
that $4,000. and probably will be less
than $4,000. 1t is rather amusing to
note the disposition of those under sus-
picion to criticise the crooked army
officers" yet they we're always ready to
take government goods from him.
Civilians are here to make money.
They do no: care very much how they
make it. They would not object to
scoring one against the United States
any more than against the Filipines. If
supplies with the government tag are
offered them, or can be obtained in any
other way. the question of honesty does
not occur to them. They work on the
eternal getting-something-f or-nothing
principle of the American business man.
When the honor of the army is con.
cerned the business man lie the first to
reflect upon the crooked army officer"
As a matter Of fact. in these cases the
civilian who left his business in America
to become an "army officer" is creating
all this Disgrace and trouble for the
army. Two enlisted men of the regular
army have been brought into the scap-
dal hint On far tho acpookod a,p,v off;