The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1901-05-10
ARMY SCANDALS.

The trial Of Capt. james O. Reed,
former depot com missary at Manila,
who was arrested about n fortnight ago
for alleged participation in tho oom-
missaIy frauds, was begun hore Thurs.
day and bids fair to develop into a
celebrated case. Capt. Reed ia charged
with soliciting aud receiving bribes,
and with other official misconduct. =
Mr.. Sohindler, manager of the AL
hambra Cigar Factory, testified that in
November Capt. Reed had told him
that Major George B. Davis, who vas
tho deputy oommissary before Capt.
Reed, but who was sent to the United
States on sick leave and whose name
appears upon the books of Evans 81 Co..
Government contractors at Manila, as
tho resipient Of $1,000, was SO, 900
short in his accounts. Continuing Mr..
Sohindlor testified that those, having
profitable contracts with tho Govern
mont, were asked to assist in making
good Major Davis's shortage. Sohind.
ler gavo Capt. Reed 81, 060, which was
Is pcr cont commission on tho oirgars
sold to tho commissary department dur
ing tho time that Major Davis was depot
commissary at Manila #
An officer named Franklin. who WAS
assistant oommiasary, teatifiod to tho
effect that on Marsh l8, and following
the direction Of superior officer. he
obtained 81 1000 from Major Davis and
paid this money over to Sohindler.
Inspector 0eneral Darlington testi
fed that during the preliminary invos.
tigation of the commissary scandals
Capt. Reed admitted to him recovering
money from Sohindler and others and
gave as an exouse that the money SO
recovered was intended to cover Major
Dayis's boef shortage.
Lieut. Richard H. Townloy, Of the
navy, at presont superintendent Of the
Manila Nautical School, testified that
as tho result Of conforenc, with Capt.
Reed he wont to sec Castle Brothers,
contractors, who supplied the commis-
eary department. with vegetables, eto,
snd asked them to give the Captain
81, 900 and 10 por cent. commission on
oil tho sales, Castle Brothers demurred
to this proposition. Lieut.. Townley
again wont to Castle Brothers and this
time only asked them for $4,000. Gas.
tle Brothers wore reluctant to hand
oyer this sum, and Lieut.. Townley ex-
planned that Capt. Keed was in q posi-
tion to advance the intoreatn Of the firm
and that itwould be a a'vantageous to
Castle Brothers to obligo him. Liout.
Townley testified that .he furthor OK.
planned to Castle Brothers that Capt.
Reed might allow them the use Of
Government Lighters and possibly be
less rigid In the inspection Of goods
purchased, Lieut.. Townley said that
he thought Oapt. Reod was doing a
noble thing In attempting to protect
tho character Of q brother officer. Ho
also said that such transactions wore
not customary In tho navy.
When crogsexaminod Liout. Town.
Icy said, rather shoepish|y, that ho was
not 70 sure no WAS doiGX fight in tax,
Ing the Witness chair.
Ool. Charles A. Woodruff, chief Of
the subsistence dopartnnentif Ii, Manila.
explained the circumstances Of Cant
Reeds appointment and describod the
duties Of the dspot oommiaaary, no,
knowing uhether the accounts Of Maio,
Davis ygere correct or not. Ho *.
planned that on Dscember 80 Uastla
Brothers aroused his suspiciona by IN.
timating that money was boing col! aotod
BY an officer Of tho oomm,saary do nart.
mont, Iater Ool Woodruff sent ;ol
Capt. Reed, who admitted reooiyinR "a.
hatca pnw ~ 4 Ys,t,rnnon Al = !. - ~.