The Washington times., 1901-10-03
GENERAL CoRBIN TEsTIFIEs
Denies Official Connection with Ma
Mia Hemp Scheme

| The subcommittee CT the Senate Com
| mittee on Military Affairs yesterday con-
| tinued the Investigation of the charges
| preferred by Major f l. Hawks against
| Lieut.. Col. II. o. 8. Heistand u. s. a. in
| connection with the alleged Manila hemp
| combine. Upon Senator Coekreirs sug-
| gestion the papers which were offered by
Major Hawks last Tuesday were excluded
as being Incompetent and Irrelevant
Major Hawks being questioned as to
whether any other person had had a
| conversation with Colonel Heistand in his
presence regarding the matter, replied
| in the affirmative He stated that
Mr. Duncan B. Harrison talked with
| Colonel Heistand; that 1t was not intended
that Mr. Harrison should go into the
| company. He was simply there to find
out what was back of the company In
| order TO invest capital
IN answer to the question as to with
Whom the scheme originated. Majo
| Hawks replied that the first intirr alton
he received was from Colonel Heistand.
He said Colonel heistand made the pro7o-
sition to him when the latter was Assist
| ant Adjutant General of the United
States Army. The investigation brought
to light that Major Hawks was to re-
I
value of $50, 600 and that Colonel Hell
stand was to receive the same amount.
The next witness was w c. Mcintyre.
who testified regarding a settlement of
expenses due him for services in organiz-
ing the cordage company He alro testi-
fed regarding the appointment of Major
Hawks to a position in the civil service.
in which relation he went to see Assist
ant Secretary Meiliejohn. MIR. Mcintyre
testified that Mr.. Meiklejohn at no time
said that the appointment would be made
in consideration of his (McIntyre's) claim
Captain w r. Wharton, former Of
ficer in the Volunteer Army, was called
He stated that his services had been So
licfted by Major Hawks to collect from
the various bureaus In Washington sta
tistics regarding the output of hemp in
the Philippines and any other Information
he could relating to the matter. Captain
Wharton stated that his services were
sought principally because he was known
competent collector of data He said
he had never visited the Philippines.
The next witness was General Corbin.
General Corbin told of his conversation
with Major Hawks and said that neither
he nor Colonel Heistand ever had any Off
cial connection with the matter.
He was asked to state what cenverss-
tions, relating to the matters, he had had
with anyone.
Colonel Heistand presented the matter
to me. He pointed out the fact that the
manufacture of henp could be carried
on to very great advantage. The con-
versation was very general He told me
that if l had any money to invest he
would like me to do So
II sent for him two days afterward,
and told him under no circumstances
could l do 1t or would 1 take any stock
in the scheme. Neither Colonel Heistand
nor myself ever had any official connection
with the matter
II can safely say that I never had a
conversation with Judge Boyd in con-
nection with the affair. Mr.. MeikIejohn
had no conversation with me in regard
to it.
Major Hawks was an applicant for a
commission in the army. He afterward
withdrew his application. The next thing
heard of the case, Major Hawks came TO
me with claim against Colonel Heistand
for services rendered for the organization
of this cordage company.
After General Corbin had concluded
Judge Boyd was called TO the stand.
Judge Boyd's testimony was to the effect
that he had signed, with others. certain
letter endorsing Major Hawks, and that
the Manila hemp scandal.
Major Hawks was recalled to the wit
ness chair and the remainder of the att
ernoon, until o'clOck. was taken up with
his testimony. The examination of the
witness related chiefly to the authenticity
of a letter of endorsement and to efforts
on his part TO sell to newspapers and TO
the Democratic National Committee, be
fore the Presidential election, certain
papers whose contents furnish the basis |
of the present investigation.
rfr1rfN
a newspaper asked Mr.. Charles w.
Needharl. attorney for Colonel Heistand. |
Il Offered to give the story to one the |
witness replied.
To which one?"
The New York Journal F"
Did you offer to give 1t to the |
'Journal?'
Why, certainly not. They sent over |
here and asked me what | would prepare |
II for. The negotiation was done by my |
]. II. Ralston. He was asked |
editor of the New York Journal
who made a suggestion to the New |
York Journal, that these copies were in
existence"
Il think. if 1 remember right, I talked |
with Mr. Hoey about it-Mr Hoey was
Mrs. Hurst's private secretary
Were you to get 10000 for it?''
mo. sir. 1 think Mr.. Mcintyre thought
it was valuable from political stand
point and that it would be worth $4,000. |
| told him I would not take $4,000.
K. I
and upon his return informed me that he |
had arranged with Mr.. Hurst to deliver
him the story for $1,000. Later | accom-
panied Mr.. Ralston to New York taking |
with all the papers in the case. We |
had a conference with the managing edi- |
tor, and Mr.. Ralston's bargain was con- |
irmed. They paid me $3.50 and our ex-
penses. 1t was afterward agreed that |
they would pay me $40 day to remain |
over until after the article was published. |
The Sunday following. This was shortly
before the Presidential election. But |
The next day / was informed that they |
you'd get along without me and that my |
heck for $50 would be mailed me on Sat
lrday-I have been looking for it ever
since
Why were they to pay you a thousand
ut was my personal property that
thought / had a right to dispose Of
Did you ever present those copies to
other papers than the New York Jour |
lal?'
Il might have done so. ] don't think |
talked with but one other person"
,Ganst the Journal for that s7602'
Il think there Is one over on the New
FORK docket"
The committee adjourned at o'clock
Va jor Hawks will resume his testimony |
his morning at 10 O'Clock.
POLITICAL COMMENT.