The Washington times., 1901-10-05
OPENING OF HEMP PORTS.
De Buys Denies Offering $4,000
for Inside Information.
Amused Himself mt Major Hawks
ENpense-Four Witnesses Exnmin-
ed-Genernl Dudley Explains His
Connection With the Enterprise.

| is the principal to whom Major Hawks
| undertook to sell information about the
| hemp ports.
| The most interesting testimony brought
| out was that of General Dudley and Mr..
| Michener. both of whom gave a clear
| statement of their entire connection with
| the hemp company.
! Major Hawks has been on the stand
| four times already. He has been re-
| minded by Senator Cockrell or some other
| member of the subcommittee OF MS
| privilege to examine the witnesses, but
| has generally requested that his ques-
tioning be postponed in order that he
might get his papers in better shape.
| His trouble is-and he frequently calls
| the subcommittee attention to the fact
that he himself is no lawyer, nor has
| he means to employ one. His request
! yesterday afternoon that the cross-eX-
, animation of Colonel Heistand be post
poned until this morning was granted.
At 1910 o'clock Mr.. Atterholt, the first
witness of the day, took the chair.
Senator CoclrelI asked Mr.. Atterholt to
state to the subcommittee whether ne
was acquainted with Colonel Heistand
and Major Hawks and whether he had
conversation with them in the presence
of each other.
Al met Major Hawks in August, 1893
at my hotel He asked me if l could not
assist him In establishing manufactur-
ing company in Manila. l told him L dld
not know about the matter, but that
would introduce him to some gentlemen
who would probably be interested.
Continuing the witness said: After an
investigation by Flint, Eddy & Co. they
concluded that they did not care to be
further interested in the matter,
The next witness was General Dudley
By Senator Cockrell-General Dudley,
state what you know about this hemp
matter, the organization Of the company
etc.
A-Maior Hawks first came to us in
connection with the matter in the year
1893 He desired US to act professionally
in the matter l conferred with my part
ner. He agreed to the proposition. Our
compensation was to be in the way of
stock The company, as l remember, was
to be organized under the laws of the
State of New Jersey, with a capital of
81, ,OeO coo, Is per cent of which was to be
set aside for Major Hawks for his SER
vices in getting up the company.
Continuing. General Dudley said: Some
of the names mentioned were those of
General Corbin, Mr.. Allen. Mr.. Meikle-
John. and Major Hawks said he was sure
Judge Boyd would subscribe to stock.
The next witness was A De Buys, Of
New York
BY Senator Cockrell-What do you know
of the efforts to organize this Manila
hemp company?
Any recollection is that Major
Hawks came quite often to see me, and
that he referred otter to having backing
in Washington which others could not
get. He stated that he had friends in
Washington and Manila who would aid
him l believe the name of Meiklejohn
was mentioned. l don't remember
whether General Corbin's name in this
connection was referred to or not. think
the name of Allen was mentioned later.
Major Hawks declined to go into a
cross-examination. stating that in order
to enter any further in the matter he
would have to employ a lawyer, as there
was a great deal more involved than any
one had any idea.
At l o'clock the subcommittee adjourn
ed for luncheon.
MIR. pe Buys resumed his testimony at
1:40 p. m.
BY Senator Cockrell-Major Hawks, if
you have any questions to ask the wit
ness ask them. Have you any questions
to ask
Major Hawks began:
Q.-Mr. De Buys. did you ever telephone
Mr.. ALe,i?
Al never had communication of any
kind with Assistant Secretary Alien.
with me was not broken on until after
Mr Warner arrived from England?
Al am not positive.
had with me when Mr.. Warner was pres
ent?
sations were about the manufacture OF
Q.EMr. De Buys, will you state posi-
lively that l informed you that could
give you information Of the closing or
opening OF the hemp pOrts2
Al Will state positively that you told
me that you would be in a position 10
obtain advance information when the Ma
Mia hemp ports would be opened.
Senator siarris- would ask if in these
conversations anything was said about
influencing the tariff?
Al don remember.
At Major Hawks request to make a
statement Mr.. De Buys was temporarily |
When I left New York" said Major !
Hawks, Il was sick, and did not pack up |
my own papers. They were all bundled |
up and put in my valise in great disor- |
der / have not since seen the letter |
from Major Heistand which referred to |
the opening and closing of ports.
Mr.. De BUYS told me that the informa-
tion concerning what ports would be open
would lie worth $4,000. ! told him ] did
i would try to get it. Upon Mr.. De |
Ruys' word to stand by his promises / |
came over here and got the information, |
which was reported 10 a representative |
Of Flint, Eddy IL Co, who came over here |
and met me at the Raleigh Hotel. ] have |
letters from my attorney confirming |
these interviews with Mr.. De Buys"
Senator Ccckrell-What time was it you |
showed the letter about closing the ports |
from Major Heistand TO MIR. De Buys?
A.-When / was in New York.
GLOW long were you getting that in
formation?
A-Forty-eight hours after reaching |
Washington. | will state that I did not
get this information through any Gov
ernment official.
showing that he had been verbally prom
ised $4,000 for furnishing Mr.. De Buys |
with advance Information regarding the !
opening of the ports. He stated that he |
had never gotten the $4,000.
Mr.. DE Buys resumed the chair. and by |
request of Mr.. Needham made a state |
ment in regard to the memorandum about |
opening the ports.
I'VE made him no offer 1t is a fact
that / talked to him over the phone. | |
was joking the major. ! was simply |
playing in the matter. / had no intention |
of sending anyone to Washington to CON
fer with Major Hawks.
Il never intimated to Ma jor Hawks |
that we would buy anything from him |
whatever. / have no recollection Of any |
ing been read"
Mr. De BUYS was excused, and F. w |
Evans took the chair.
BY Mayor Hawks-Did ! leave my |
papers and desk il your office when / |
left for Manila?
Won IaFt tharn