The sun., 1902-10-19
ENGLAND SWlNDLED ON MULES
carr. SMITH MADE SJOO,OOO ~
NEW ORLEANS RikE-OFFS.
Made Nuie Dealers Give Him 81 a Head
at First for All the Poor Animals He
Passed and Then Raised the price 10 80
and Auerward Put II Up 10 $40 Head


LONDON, Oct. lS.-A blue book wa, issued
to-day containing the report Of the officers
appointed by Lord Roberts to inquire III o
the workings of the remount depar ment.
In regard to the work in America the re-
port says that the class OF animals pur-
chased was on the whole satisfact ory.
One officer. Capt. Smith, who subsequently
deserted. received commission on every
animal he purchased in America Many
Of the mules bought by him were sbso-
lutely unfit and useless Capt Smith il
declared TO have been guilty Of practices
which brought the greatest discredit on
the remoun. department. The report says
that Capt Maudsley and Veterinary Sur
geon Howes were guilty Of great impro-
prie,y. The profits of the dealer, were large
al first, but later on were not exorbiiant.
The report says the Dominion OF Canada
is at present unable to supply large number
of horses. The report recommends that
a stimulus be given to this trade in the
colony by steady and permanent demand
for army horses and the introduction Of
suit ably selected stations
Dealing with the work of the remount
department in Austria-Hungary. tho report
says that the contractors controlled the
markets there, and the officers consequently
were compelled TO work at a disadvantage,
The report recommends that in future
the British Consuls shall purchase the ami
mails needed by the army.
New OFLrASs, La. Oct ls.-The report
Of the British War Depart ment against
Capt. Smith Of the British Army. who was
stationed at New Orleans during the Boer
war to make purchases of horses d mules
for the remount department in which
IL is declared that Capt. Smith received
a commission on every animal he pur
chased; that many of the mules bought by
him were absolutely useless; that he has
brought the greatest discredit on the British
War Department, caused no surprise here.
That Capt. Smith was looking for the
main chance was well known here and
published in the New Orleans papers.
Il was said that he had made half a million
dollars on his commissions. He was one
of the first Of the British officers to come
to New Orleans. He took rooms at the
st. Charles Hotel, lived luxuriously and
seemed 10 enjoy the complete confidence.
of the War Department Capt. Smiths
orders required him 10 pass on all stock
purchased for the English Army II he
objected to an animal II was r. iected and
the owner lost not only the sale of the animal
but the cost Of transportation to New
Orleans.
Capt Smith rejected great many ami
mails at first until the dealers caught on,
and an arrangement was reached by which
he received from them so much head
for passing stock. whether good or bad.
Originally he received only 81 head as
his rake-of, but becoming bolder he raised
the price to IS and finally To $40. The SO
was paid for passing the most worthless
animals, thousands Of which were un-
loaded on the British War Der artment.
Having acquired something In the neigh
| borhood OF half million, Capt. Smith,
whether because he thought he had enough
or because he feared that the scandal would
| develop, asked for a furlough and leave
| TO return 10 England. II was refused three
times. He finally left without permission.
The British Government was notified in
time, and the Captain was arrested on his
arrival In England for desertion. court
| martialed, and 1t is said Is now serving a
term in prison.
Capt. Smiths place was filled by DR.
Danes, and the experience of the latter
soon brought out Smiths crooked work
| The dealers offered Danes the same terms
| to pass animals as his predecessor had re-
| ceved. Danes at once notified the British
War Department, which. upon investigation,
found the truth of the story.