Evening star., 1901-10-03
THE HEMP INQUIRY
Mr.. Hawks Subjected to Close
Cross-Examination.
MAJOR EDWARD HOWARD TESFIFIES
He Made Copies of Correspond
ence at Hawks Order.
COL. HEISTAND A WITNESS

gagged in investigating the charges pre-
ferred by Erastus L. Hawks against Colo
mel Hs@O. S. Heistand, U. s. A, Senator
HawIey and others spoke of the remark
able work accomplished by the stenograph-
ers and the government printing office in
having at the disposal of the committee
each morning the complete proceedings of
the day before. The report of yesterdays
work embraced seventy-six printed pages.
When the hearing was resumed Senator
Hawley announced the receipt of a tele-
gram from former Assistant Secretary
Geo. D. Meiklejohn, stating he had left Ell
Paso, Texas, last evening for Washington.
Mr. Charles w. Needham, counsel for
Colonel Heistand, was about to continue
the cross-examination of Mr.. Hawks, when
the latter requested permission to present
an additional paper that he did not know he
had, and that he had found last night.
II wish to present this paper a sub
stitute for all the testimony l have hereto
fore given in this case. 1t was prepared
some time ago, and was to have been
sworn to-"
Intention to Publish Statement.
While the members of the committee were
examining the paper to ascertain its relevan-
cy Mr.. Needham handed witness letter and
asked him If he had written it. 1t was ad-
dressed to Dudley & Michener. Witness
said he had signed it.. 1t was written just
before the November elections, and an
nounced his intention of publishing a state
ment in the newspapers which would give
an account of the hemp company and every
thing and everybody connected with it.
Mr.. Needham was not permitted to ask
witness his reasons for writing the letter.
Witness also admitted sending a letter to
Gen. Corbin September 6, 1900, inclosing a
copy of the letter to Dudley & Michener.
~. i
to ask witness his intention about this let
ter, either. The committee would determine
such intention and meaning.
Witness was shown a similar letter in
closing similar copy addressed to Assist
ant Secretary Meiklejohn. In both the
writer spoke of the personal interest" the
parties addressed had in his contemplated
course. Witness said he received no replies
to these letters.
Considerable time was expended in en-
deavoring to get witness to fix the exact
date of his Illness in New York in 1899, but
without avail.
Hawks Report ON Progress.
Mr.. Needham then read letter from
Hawks to Heistand, written in New York
August 1, 1899, saying that he was $50
near success that it required nerve to carry
it out" and another stating that negotia-
tions he was conducting with Flint, Eddy
& Co. were progressing satisfactorily. "Our
proposition seems to strike them favorably,
only they wish to enlarge our figures"
said the letter. Witness identified letters
as his, as well as one dated August 9, say
ing he had done about all that could be
dcne in New York, and would return to
Washington the following Saturday. The
letter inclosed clipping from a New York
paper and when Mr.. Needham suggested
that it was not necessary to include it in
the record Mr.. Hawks objected.
Il want all this put in the record he
<r1o oil
was preserved. l wish more of it had
been"
Various other letters were submitted, the
witness taking his usual course Of reading
regarding them. He could not fix the exact
date of the time he gave Colonel Heistand
the ito whom it may concern letter, but
thought it was later than the middle of
September, 1S99 Being pressed for a bet
ter fixing Of dates witness said he would
like to be allowed to refresh his memory.
II think I could do SO tonight. I don't
want to depend entirely on my memory.
This mess has been brought up suddenly.
You are evidently trying to lay traps to
catch me-" he concluded, addressing Mr..
Needham.
Tine latter objected to such statement,
but Senator Cockrell said it made no diff
ference. Further questioned as to the
meaning of certain phrases in several let
ters witness swore ne could & not recolleet
in reply to Senator Burrows that
he had ''indistinct recollection
that Colonel Heistand called on him
at the Y I. Hotel before the call when the
Ito whom 1t may concern letter was hand
ed over was made, but was certain he had
received no visit from Colonel Heistand af-
ter the letter was delivered. which was
short time before he got up from his sick
bed, about three or four or four five days
later.
Mr.. Needham announced that he was
through with witness and asked the com
tfoa f0 Main Edtx,o ard .,rd
Of the pension office, who according to Mr..
Hawks testimony, had made the certified
copies Of letters and papers on his own
account. He also asked that subpoena be
issued for Alfred De Buys, vice president
of the firm of G. r. Flint & Co. Of New
York.
Major Howard Takes the Stand.
Major Howard happened to be outside the
committee room and was at once called to
the stand and sworn. He is lame as re-
suit of wounds received in the civil war.
Witness In reply to Mr.. Needham said
he lived at 4S3 Pennsylvania avenue and
had occupied various positions in public de-
partments and had been a consul in Eng
land. In January, 1900, witness was in the
patent business. Had met Major Hawks
twice before that time. After Mr.. Hawks
left for the Philippines witness rented his
office from Mr.. Evans and occupied the
desk Mr.. Hawks had used. Witness said
settlement but was very anxious to have
one reached.
Upon being shown the certified copies
witness said the work was done by Ber-
tram King in the presence of witness and
DR. Thomas, who watched In order that
only one copy should be made.
did Major Hawks know that the comics
were being made?''
Certainly. They were made at his direc-
tion.'
Did you have the originals in your pos
session previous to the time they were
copied?"
II did not
What did you do with the copies after
they were compieted?"
II placed them IN an unseaIed envelope
and handed them TO Major Mawks and he
put them in that bag
Witness here pointed to a weIl-worn
leather satchel resting on the table in
fronr of Major Hawks. In which the latter
brought his papers to the hearing.
Did Major Hawks ask to have the copies
nader"
Yes. sir
Can you tell what reason he gave?"
The substance of 1t was that Major
Hawks was afraid he would be badly treat
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