Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-04-18
COL. w0OORUFF'S
HANDS ARE CLEAN
No Filthy Lucrs From commIssary
Frauds Stuck to His
Fingers,
DEPARTMENTS FAITH IN HIN
commissary General weston Says He 10
Splendid OMcer and Thoroughly
Honest Man-Root Asks
for Details.

to try Lieutenant Frederick Boyer,
who Is charged with the embezzlement
OF commissary stores. Captain Fred
ertck j. Barrows. Of the Thtrtieth vol
unteer infantry, who was arrested un-
der similar charges. will be tried later.
A civilian named Fletcher. accused Ut
unlawful conversion of commissary
stores. will be tried by the provost
court today
Speaking of the commissary scan
dals, a prominent army officer said to
the representative Of the Associated
Press that he had every reason to be.
lieve that Colonel Woodruff. head VI
the subsistence department at Manila,
was not implicated. He said that Col
onel Woodruff was one OF the ablest
men in the service, and that his hon-
esty was unquestioned. He asserted
that Colonel Woodruff was ignorant Of
the fact that Harold M. Pitt, manager
of Evans & Co., the army contractors,
was leasing him the house In which he
lived for much less rental than Pitt
had paid therefor. Upon discovering
this Colonel Woodruff Immediately va
Gated the house. Pitt is alleged to have
said that Captain Read, Of the COM
missary department. deceived Colonel
Woodruff, who thought Captain Read
to be thoroughly honest. The irregu-
larities in commissary matters were
first attributed to Captain Reads un-
familiarity with commissary work.
Colonel Woodruff was reluctant to be-
lteNe that frauds were being perpe-
trated, but the facts disclosed caused
him to give Captain Read most se-
we're reprimand, and to begin an inves-
tigation which may involve, according
to the prominent army officer previ-
ously referred to, the examination Of
Captain Davis, who was the depot com.
missary before Captain Read, but who
was sent home on sick leave.
Roof Asks for Details.
Washington, April 1s.-secretary
Root has cabled General Macarthur
asking for additional information con-
corning the reports of frauds in Man
lila. 1t is expected that reply will be
received today. While definite instruc-
tions have not been given General Mac
Arthur heretofore to make search-
Ing. and complete investigation it is
nation were Of character to simply
that the department expected such an
investigation should be made. Moth
Ing definite has been received from
General Macarthur about the alleged
frauds, although reference has been
made to the investigation in cable
grams received. The first dispatch on
the subject from General Macarthur
said there had been exaggeration in
with which the reports have been re-
iterated and the news dispatch yester-
day giving names and specific amounts
| have indicated to the department Of
ficials that perhaps General Macarthur
was not advised fully when he made
his first report.
It can be stated that the department
intends to have all the information
| possible on the subject, and General
Macarthur will be expected to push
the trials and make complete report
| of any and all wrong doings.
| Denies Completely.
Mai. j. B. Davis, whose name Is mem
| toned in the dispatch from Manila as
1 being credited upon the books Of Evans
| & Co. as having received $1,000, is in
\ Washington.
To an Associated Press reporter he
would say nothing when asked If he
desired to reply to the assertion. He
| was called upon by the war depart
ment. however. for an explanation, and
to an officer said that he knew nothing
about the matter. He was closely ques.
toned, and said he never had any mon
ey from the firm of contractors men,
toned. had not borrowed and could
not explain how there had been any
charge made. Although he is In the
country on sick leave he will return
to Manila, and If the matter ig not
cleared up when he arrives there will
1 demand court of inquiry.
Evans, of the firm of Evans & Co., is
known to some army officers in WASH
\ ington. Evans was in this country a
short time ago, and may now be in
| New York If he has not returned to
4 Manila. 1t is not known whether he Is
an Englishman, an American or Cam
adam. He was from Niagara, though
from which side of the river is not
known.
Praises Woodruff.
AT the commissary department Cen
eral Weston spoke of his subordinate,
Colonel Woodruff, in the highest terms.
! He said:
Colonel Woodruff always has borne
the highest reputation in the army as
a splendid officer and thoroughly hon
est man. There might be opportunities
! for small frauds in great depot such
as that at Manila, but there would have
| to be collision among the officers and
the sergeants in charge If frauds were
carried on to any great extent. 1t de-
ponds largely upon the honesty of the
commissary in charge to prevent any
wrong doing, and he would be very
likely to know if there was anything
crooked going on in large way. Where
so much business tS dnna ic oil,