Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1901-04-30
CAPT. REED 3 CRIME.
Consisted OF Trying to Shield
Major Davis.
SOLICITED MONEY TO DO so
Also Had Lieut.. Townley, of the Navy,
Ask For Money From Firms TO Cover
Up Davis shortage-commissary
Scandal Trial at Manila.


Scandal Trial at Manila.
Manila, April 30-The trial of Cap.
tain James G. Reed. former depot
commissary at Manila, and who was
arrested about a fortnight ago for al
legged participation in the eommissary
frauds, was begun here and bids fair
to develop into celebrated case
Captain Reed is charged with solicit
ing and receiving brides and with
other official misconduct
Objections to Jurisdiction overruled
At the beginning of the trial eoun-
sci for the defendant objected to the
jurisdiction of the court, alleging that
under an act promulgated in 1901
officers of the regular establishment
are ineligible as members of court
martial to try an officer of volunteers.
The defense further denied that
state of war existed in Manila today
and alleged that the provost marshal,
General George w. Davis, Is unau
thorized to convene a general court
martial, and intimating that as Gen.
eral Macarthur virtually preferred
the charges against Captain Reed,
the orders directing his trial by court
martial should come from Washing
ton The defense further objected
to the fact that several members OF
the court were of inferior rank to
Captain Reed. All these objections
were overruled and the hearing of
testimony was begun.
Mr.. Shindler. manager of the AL
hambria cigar factory, testified that
in November Captain Reed had told
him that Major George b. Davis. who
was the depot commissary before
Captain Reed, but who was sent to
the United States on sick leave, and
whose name appeared on the books
of Evans & Co, government contrac-
tors at Manila. as the recipient of
81 900, was $4,000 short in his ac-
counts. Continuing. Mr.. SCHNEIDER
testified that those having profitable
contracts with the government were
asked to assist in making good Major
Davis deficiency. SCHNEIDER gave
Captain Reed $1,000, which was 21a
per cent commission on the cigars
sold to the commissary department
during the time that Major Davis was
depot commissary at Manila.
An officer named Franklin, who was
assistant commissary, testified to the
effect that on March Is, and following
the direction of a superior officer, he
obtained $1,000 from Major Davis and
paid this money over to SCHNEIDER.
Claimed Trying to Protect Davis.
Inspector General Darlington testt-
fed that during the preliminary in
vestigation Of the commissary scan
1 dol "a pfoit cd 10 II
recovering money from SCHNEIDER and
others, and gave as an excuse that the
money so recovered was intended e.
cover Major Davis beef shortage
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 supply the
commissary department with vegeta-
bles, etc, and wanted them to give
Captain Reed $4,000 and 10 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 $4,000 Castle Broth.
ers were reluctant to hand over this
sum, and Lieutenant Townley ex-
planned that Captain Reed was in
position to advance the interests OF
the firm and that it would be ad.
vantageous to Castle Brothers to
oblige him, Lieutenant Townley tes-
tilted that he further explained to
Castle Brothers that Captain Reed
might allow them the use of govern
ment lighters, and possibly be less
rigid in the inspection of goods pur-
chased. Lieutenant Townley said
that he thought Captain Reed was
doing noble thing in attempting to
protect the character of a brother of
fcer. He also said that such trans
actions wer not customary in the
navy. When cross-questioned Lieu.
tenant Townley said, rather sheep
ishly, that he was not so sure he was
doing right in taking the witness
chair.
Gave Same Reason to Woodruff
Colonel Charles A. Woodruff, chief
of the subsistence department in
Manila, explained the circumstances
of Captain Reeds appointment ana
described the duties Of the depot com
missary, not knowing whether the ac-
counts of Major Davis were correct
or not. Colonel Woodruff explained
that on Dec. 80 Castle Brothers
aroused his suspicious by intimating
that money was being collected by an
officer of the commissary department
Later Colonel Woodruff sent for Cap
tain Reed. who admitted receiving re-
bates for the purpose of covering the
delinauencies of Major Davis. The
testimony of Colonel Woodruff was
unfinished at Mondays session and
other witnesses were awaiting exam
nation.
Lieutenant John W. Haussermann
OF the Thtrty-fourth infantry. is Judge
advocate Of the court. and Major
Thomas l.. Hartigan, of the Thirtieth
infantry. and Captain Charles H.
MARBLE, Of the Fortieth infantry, are
teh attorneys for the defendants.