Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-27
THE LAST TO TESTIFY
Concluding Evidence in the Hemp
Inquiry.
EXPERIENCE OF LEWIS B. JACKSON
Was Not Told That Official InfIu-
ence Would Be Used.
ARG UMENT ON FRIDAY

ARG MENT ON FRIDAY
Lewis B. Jackson of Chicago was heard
today as the last witness in the hemp in
vestigation being held by a special COM
mittee of the Senate military committee.
Mr. Jackson testified that he had known
Major Hawks since 1896, and Colonel Hell
stand since 1899; that he was introduced to
Colonel Heistand in the latters Office at the
War Department by Major Hawks some
time in the spring of 1899, when the pro-
posed organization of a company to con-
troll the output of Manila hemp was talked
over; that he was not told that any undue
influence was to be used by government
officials in favor of the prospective COM
pany; that he had dropped the matter since
that time. and had never seen Colonel
Heistand since that time until he met him
in the committee room today.
Mr.. Jackson was crosS-examtned by MIR.
Hawks. as his attorney, Judge Mackey,
was absent. The witness was also cross
examined by Attorney Needham for Col.
Heistand After the testimony Of Mr..
Jackson had been concluded MIR. Hawks
obtained permission to ask Col. Heistand
a number of questions regarding an inter-
view which Maj. Duncan B. Harrison had
testified to between himself and Col. Heis-
tand in New York. The occurrence was
confirmed by Col. Heistand. The commit
tee then adjourned, to meet Friday after
noon at O'Clock, when argument will be
heard
Conversation With Col. Heistand
Mr. Jackson was taken in hand by Sena-
tor Cockrell as soon as he had been sworn.
After asking the witness If he was ac-
quainted with Col. Heistand and Maj.
Hawks. Senator Cockrell requested him to
state if he had ever had a conversation
with Col. Heistand or in his presence in re-
gard to an undertaking to establish a
cordage factory in Manila.
The witness replied that he had had such
conversation some time in the spring of
1899 in Col. Heistand's office. Il went
there with Major Hawks he continued,
who talked with me about this project,
and wanted 1 should take some interest
for the purpose of advancing the deal. He
requested me to go and see Col. HeiStand,
who. he said, would take an interest in
the matter. We went there and 1 met
Hestand, and then Heistand said, as / re-
member, that the major had his confidence
in the matter, and supposed he had gone
over it with me. / said, Yes, in way
but that did not know how far they had
gone. and at that time l guess they had
not gone very far into the matter. My i'm
preston was that Col. Heistand would
take some interest IN the zeal II IL was
through. l do not remember having any
further talk with him. If anything else
occurred do not recollect it now"
Senator Cockrell wanted the witness to
repeat the whole conversation in detail,
but the witness said he really could not
remember much about it. A short time
after it occurred he had gone out west
and had never thought anything more
about it. except when he received few
letters from Hawks regarding the prog
ress he was making. LAS 1 remember, the
state of affairs in Manila was unsettled
at that time. and it would be some time
before anything could be done. 1 became
interested in the west and practically
dropped it from my mind"
The witness in answer to question
stated that no prospectus was shown him
at that time. and he believed he had never
seen any prospectus on the subject.
Government OmcinIx Interested.
AT the time you three were talking to-
gether what was said, If anything, about
others being interested in it?' asked Sena-
tor Cockrell
There were several other names men
toned
BY whom
by Colonel Heistand-and as I gathered
they would probably take an interest in it."
Who were they?'
L could not swear, except as my memory
has been refreshed by the papers. AS 1
remember. Adjutant General Corbin and
Mr. Meiklejohn assistant secretary of war,
and there may have been other names.
noticed in the papers some time ago list
of names. but could not swear"
You have no recollection about it but as
your memory has been refreshed?'
THAT is ALL
The witness stated that he had had no
subsequent conversation with Col Heistand,
and had never seen him again until to-
day.
Use of Influence.
After consulting with Senator Harris, Mr..
Cockrell continued:
Now, 1 want to ask you, Mr.. Jackson,
If, in that conversation. there was any
thing said about how this company was to
be managed, or what influences it could
secure or bring to bear upon governmental
officers In the Philippine islands,
There was nothing said in regard to
that That / understood was in embryo in
the organization of the company
Was any representation made to you by
Major Hawks when Col. Heistand was not
present in regard to the influence of gov
eminent officers being brought to bear in
support of the project?''
II do not think there was at any time.
except when We We're first talking. l said
it was 4 rather bad time to get into Manila
with any enterprise. / do not know what
words he used, but l inferred that a COM
pany going in there would be protected by
the United States
when you were talking with the ma
jor?''
Yes. 1 do not think any one else was
present.
Did you have any conversation with
General Corbin, Mr.. Meiklejohn, Mr.. Boyd
or Mr.. Allen?"
mo. 1 never had the pleasure of meet
ing either Of the gentlemen"
This concluded the examination by the
committee and the witness was turned over
to Major Hawks.
Mr.. Jackson" he began, what was
your impression"
"Oh, MAJOR broke In Senator Cockrell,
you know perfectly well that won't do
ask what was said"
Well, replied the major, II will put
1t in different way. On what representa-
| tons did you base your favorable opinion
| of the project?''
Upon your representations" was the
| answer.
| And what Col. Heistand had to say
| made no difference with your
| II do not think 1t changed it any
| Did it confirm it?''
| Il don't think | was confirmed at all