The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-04-30
COMMISSARY FRAUDS TRIAL
INTERESTING TESTIMONY BEFOR Il
COURTMARTIAL At MANILA.
Captain Read Admitted Receiving Re-
bates Told Several Witnesses He Did
So In an Attempt to Make Good the
Shortage OF Major Davis, His Prede-
cessor-NavaI Officer Declares Reads
Conduct Was Noble.
Conduct Was Noble.

Manila, April 29-The trial of the
former depot commissary at Manila,
Captain James o. Read, who was a-
rested about a fortnight ago for alleged
participation in the commissary frauds,
was begun here to-day and bids fair to
develop into a celebrated case. Captain
ceiving bribes and with other official
misconduct.
Mr. Shindler, manager of the Alham-
bra cigar factory, testified that in Mo-
vember Captain Read had told him
that Major George B. Davis, who was
the depot commissary before Captain
Read but who was sent to the United
States on sick leave and whose name
appears upon the books of Evans & Co.,
government contractors at Manila, as
the recipient of $1,000 was $1,000 short
in his accounts. Continuing Mr.. Schind-
Ter testified that those having profitable
contracts with the government were
asked 70 assist in making good Major
Davis deficiency. SCHNEIDER gave Cap
tain Read $1,050 which was 21s cents
commission on the cigars sold to the
commissary department during the time
that Major Davis was post commissary
at Manila. An officer named Franklin,
who was assistant commissary, testified
to the effect that on March IS and fol-
lowing the direction of a superior Off
Ger he obtained $1,000 from Major Davis
and paid this money over to SCHNEIDER.
Inspector General Darlington testified
that during the preliminary investiga-
ton of the commissary scandals Cap
tain Read admitted having received
money from SCHNEIDER and others and
gave as an excuse that the money so
received was intended to cover Major
Davis beef shortage.
Lieutenant Richard H. Townley OF
the navy, at present suoerintendent of
the Manila nautical school, testified
that as the result of conference with
Captain Read he went to see Castle
Brothers, contractors, who supply the
commissary department. with vegeta-
bles, ETC., and wanted them to give
Captain Read $4,000 and 10 per cent.
commission on all sales. Castle Bros
demurred to this proposition. Lieuten-
ant Townley again went to Castle Bros
and this time only asked them for ST.
000 Castle Bros. were reluctant to
hand over this sum and Lieutenant
Townley explained that Captain Read
was in position to advance the inter-
est of the firm and that it would be ad-
vantageous to Castle Bros. to oblige
him.
r nNnt y,,1a tod f1nt 1p
further explained to Castle Bros. that
Captain Read might allow them the use
of government lighters and possibly be
less rigid in the inspection of goods
purchased Lieutenant Townley said
that he thought Captain Read was do
ing noble. thing in attempting TO pro-
tect the character of brother officer
He also said that such transactions
were not customary in the navy. When
cross questioned Lieutenant Townley
said rather sheepishly that he was not
so sure he was doing right in taking
the witness chair.
Colonel Charles A. Woodruff. chief
of the subsistence department in Mani
la, explained the circumstances of Cap
tain Reads appointment and described
the duties of the depot commissary. not
knowing whether the accounts of Major
Davis were correct or not.
Colonel Woodruff explained that on
December 80 Castle Bros. aroused his
suspicious by intimating that money
was being collected by an officer Of the
commissary department. Later Colonel
Woodruff sent for Captain Read, who
admitted receiving rebates for the pur-
pose of covering the delinquencies of
Major Davis. The testimony of Colonel
Woodruff is unfinished, and other wit
nesses are awaitin examination.
Lieutenant John w. Haussermann
of the Thirty-fourth infantry is judge
advocate of the court and Major Thom-
as l.. Hartigan of the Thirtieth infan-
try and Captain Charles III. Marple OF
the Fortieth infantry are the attorney
for the defendants.