The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-05-01
HIS TRIAL HAS BEGUN
he is Charged With Soliciting and
Receiving Brides.
The EVIDENCE IS VERY SENSATIONAL
How Men Having Gov. rnment Contracts Were
Called Upon to Cover an Alleged Short
age 10 the Accounts Of Reeds
Predecessor.
(By the Associated Press

Manila, April 29-The trial OF CAPTAIN
James Z. Reed, former depot commissary
at Manila, and who was arrested about a
fortnight ago for alleged participation in
the commissary frauds, was begun TODAY
and bids fair to develop into celebrated
case. Captain Reed is charged with So
Letting and receiving brides and with 9TH
er official misconduct
Mr.. SCHNEIDER, manager Of the Alham-
bra cigar factory, testified that in No
Vember Captain Reed had told him that
Major George B. Davis, who was the de-
pot commissary before Captain Reed, but
who was sent to the United States on sick
leave, and whose name appears upon the
books of Evans and Company, Govern
ment contractors at Manila, as the re-
eipient Of $1,000, was $4,000 short in his
accounts. Continuing Mr. SCHNEIDER
testified that those having profitable con-
tracts with the Government were asked
to assist in making good Major Davis
deficiency. SCHNEIDER gave Captain Reed
$1,000, which was 21a per cent commits
sion on the cigars sold to the Commits
sary Department during the time that
Major Davis was depot commissary at
Manila.
An officer named Franklin, who was
assistant commissary. testified to the eff
feet that on March 18th, and following
the direction of superior officer, he OBJ
tanned $1,000 from Major Davis and paid
this money over to SCHNEIDER.
Inspector General Darlington testified
hof
<of the commissary scandals Captain Reed
admitted to him recovering money from
SCHNEIDER and others, and gave as an
excuse that the money so recovered was
intended to cover Major Davis beef short
age.
Lieutenant Richard H. Townley, OF the
Navy. at present superintendent of the
Manila nautical school, testified that as
the result of a conference with Captain
Reed. he went to see Castle Brothers.
contractors. who supplied the Commits
sary Department with vegetables, ETC..
and wanted them to give Captain Reed
$4,000 and ten per cent commission on all
sales Castle Brothers demurred to this
proposition. Lieutenant Townley again
went to Castle Brothers and this time
only asked them for $1,000 Castle Broth
and Lieutenant Townley explained that
Captain Reed was in a position to adj
vance the interests of the firm. and that
it would be advantageous to Castle
Brothers to oblige him. Lieutenant
Townley testified that he further ex-
planned to Castle Brothers that Captain
Reed might allow them the use of Gov
eminent lighters and possibly be less
rigid in the inspection of goods purchased
Lieutenant Townley said he thought
Captain Reed was doing noble thing in
attempting to protect the character of
a 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 Manila,
explained the circumstances of Captain
Reeds appointment and described the
duties of the depot commissary, not know
ing whether the accounts of Major Davis
were correct or not. Colonel Woodruff
explained that on December 3Oth Castle
Brothers aroused his suspicious by init
mating that money was being collected
by an officer of the Commissary Depart
ment Later Colonel Woodruff sent for
Captain Reed, who admitted receiving re-
tates for the purpose of covering the de-
linoueneies of Major Davis. The testi-
monv of Colonel Woodruff is unfinished
and other witnesses are awaiting exam
ination.