The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-23
Maj. Hawks of Kansas Involved
in Sensation.
Was Discharged as Philippine
Inspector of Customs.
WANTS TO KNOW WHY.
Making Things Lively For the
War Department.
Hawks Superior Also Inter
ested in Cordage Scheme.

Washington, D. c., March 2S.-Majo1
Erastus L. Hawks. formerly of Arkansas
/ City, and for many years well known in
| the southern part of Kansas and the In
case In Washington. which is pending in
Yesugatlon BY eongTess ,,- rr.,--
toms service in the Philippine islands, and
was dismissed from Office on May 2 1900.
the investigation of his case shows that
he was dismissed on account of his con-
control the output of manila hemp in
the islands while in government employ
During the last few days OF congress
Senator PettigreW presented the matter
to the senate He said:
Il have in my hand papers in relation
to the organization OF a company for the
purpose of controlling the production Of
scheme of the Company was to build at
Manila a company 10 manufacture manila
the islands. A meeting was held in this
city which was attended by H. O. $.
the army of the United States, and he,
with Major Hawks, proceeded to the Or
ganlzation of a company under the laws
Of West Virginia for the purpose of build
ing a factory to manufacture manila
hemp in the island. Major Hawks testified
that the assistant adjutant general in
army had been seen by him and would
engage in the enterprise One thing is
engage in the enterprise, as will be
shown by his letters and kilograms at
+ 1T was arranged that Major Hawks
should 60 to New York and raise the
prise. and the assistant adjutant genera
agreed to secure for him the Endorsement
pose So on July b. 1899, Major Hawks
received the following:
washington D. c., July 13 1899.
ITO Whom 1t May Concern:
''Erastus l.. Hawks, late major, Tenth
organizing a company for. the purpose OF
manufae turing ropes and cordage from
full confidence and earnest good wishes.
believing his representations and business
ssIhe enterprise, we believe. affords a
good opportunity for the safe Investment
Of capital, and the government will look
III D. 5. HEIsTAND.
Assistant Adjutant General
JAMES A. BOYD
Assistant Attorney General.
GEO. D. MEIKLEJO
Assistant Secretary of War.
Then follows a letter:
Office. Washington. d. a., July r. 1899.
y. a pear mayor Ii lays YES, dlg n9t get
house ali afternoon. and only CHANGED to
meet Meiklejohn as he was leaving the
office He is much pleased with the work
done We are expecting a cable now any
you are assured of assistance in max,
ing your project success, and, indeed, II
looks as if you could even in spite of Us
If We were not your friends Yours sin
Continuing, Senator Pettigrew said:
Here is a scheme originating in the
war department Heistand says that the
adjutant general, his immediate chief, and
the assistant secretary of war We're parties
with him in the transaction Hawks goes
to New York, receives the Endorsement OF
the assistant secretary Of war. the as
sistant adjutant general and James f.
Boyd. assistant attorney general. and pro-
notes his enterprise He receives from
Heistand the assurance that the duties
:'Finaliy it appears that Meiklejohn and
Corbin refused to go on with the enter
prise. They dropped out. Then difficulty
arose. Heistand was sent to Paris. Hawks
left. with what expenses he had in
thereupOn put the matter in the hands of
an attorney, who saw Meiklejohn and
sum of money for his expenses and an ap-
pointment in the war department if he
the enterprise, 50 far as his relations with
Then follows this remarkable situation.
appointment DIVISION, War Department,
ssErastl1s L. Hawks is hereby employed
as an inspector under the war department
for duty in connection with the customs
service in the Philippine Islands, at a
compensation at the rate Of $3.50 per an
mum, to be paid from the fund accruins
f59m the GgleStion O revenues IN the
This enploye is entitled to Transporter
ton and actual and necessary expense OF
inrfo1 d c' to- to Manila. p /. at a rate
&c D. MEIKLEJOHN.
Assistant Secretary of War.
After receiveing his appointment Mr.
Hawks proceeded to Iloilo, and thereupon
was discharged from the service without
transportation home and without money
He had been in the service only two days
NOTED and sent over to the Orient The
last heard of him he was in China
Upon his return to Washington Mr..
Hawks addressed the following letters to
the secretary Of war which were both
ssSir. Upon March I 1 was appointed
inspector of customs in the Philippine isl
ands. Left Washington on the Sth fol-
lowing, arriving at Manila P l. april
to the port of Iloilo. p. T., as chief i'll
spector and ordered to take the first
% I sailed on the United states transport
Indiana arriving at Iloilo on May z, and
u a copy of your order reyoSing my APP
pOintment was received. dated war de-
partment, Washington. d. C., May .. or
two days before reaching my destination
Your order simply revoked my appoints
ment. without reference 70 pay or trans
porta ton After nucn delay 4 succeeued
I'm getting transportation TO Manila. F. T.,
and there the comma nding general passed
cludfng July Is and transportation from
Manila to San Francisco. Cal. After ar
irving there on July Il. L telegraphed the
assistant secretary of war. asking that
TRANSFORMATION be furnished to Washing
ton. which was granted
s.ITp to the time of my arrival here I |
had no idea of the cause Of my dismissal
On reporting to YOU and asking to be |
movaI I gathered from your response |
that It was because of my former con- |
neetfOn with a movement to organize a |
hemp company which was abandoned.
IT have suffered. as a consequence OF |
the departments action, financial loss and |
modification. and i cannot out feel thar |
your sense of justice will prompt you to /
AFFORD me an opportunity to present such /
facts for your consideration as viii show 1
that there exists grounds for such |
complaints as may have been made /
against me- Il any any s sTTTs VvEs