New-York tribune., 1902-05-22
A STORMY HEARING.
SENATOR'S PATTERSON AND DIETRICH
INA HOT CONTROVERSY.
DISPUTE OVER METHODS OF CONDUCTING
{ PHILIPPINE INQUIRY-Ex-CORPoRAL
4 o'BRIEN's ATRocITY STORY.
rBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNE.l


Washington Nav N-The sessions of the Senate
Committee the Philippines, enlivened as they
have often been by passages at arms between the
minority and the majority over the fobles and
eccentrcities o, witnesses. never developed until
to-day a positive and unmistakable degree OF per-
sonal friction Mr. Patterson. Of Colorado, who has
acted chief nouisitor for the minority, got into
heated discussion this morning with Mr. DIETRICH,
OF Nebraska. who took issue with the Colorado
Senator's methods and declared that Mr. Patter-
sons purpose throughout the inquiry conducted by
the committee had been TO elicit only such testi-
mony as would besnirch the honor of the American
army Against this intimation Mr.. Patterson ex-
pIosvely protested, and for minute or two the
in the committee room recalled those belicose
situations in the House Military Affairs Committee
last winter in which those loquacious but Pick
wickisn warriors Of the lower branch. Mr.. Lentz.
Mr.. Marsh and Mr. Sulzer. figured with unfailing
regularity. A call for order by the chairman ended
hcstilities.
NOT DUMDUM BULLETS.
, Corporal O. 'Brien. formerly Of the 26th Volunteer
Infantry. was before the committee to-day and
produced the alleged dumdum explosive bullets.
He said they not ike the ordinary cartridges,
because they did have the letters ~. s" on
Them
General Crozer. Chief Of Ordnance. was called.
3Te seid that the cartridges produced by O'Brien
were not different from the ordinary regulation
cartridges. Asked if they were dumdum or eX-
plosiye bullets. he replied in the negative
O'Brien was then closely questioned by Senator
minute details respecting his charge that NUMBER
OF American officers had violated Spanish woman
at the time the town Of Igabaras was burned
Questions by the Senator brought out the fact
that there were then just four American onoers IN
the town of Igabaras Consequently. said MI
1everidge 'ff the statements made by the woman
husband are true these four men are suilty OF the
Crime charged" s
sbst sonoe of the soldiers had told him OF their re-
,ations with the He did not remember the
names of these men. but he gave the names OF TWO
soldiers as being those he thought mao tolo nun
the story This he did only after great deal OF
discussion with Senator Beveridge and among the
members Of the committee.
When the names had been given Senator Pat
ferson protested saying that to compel the witness
30 mention them under the circumstances ana IN
view OF his protest was a grave injustice 10 the
men whose names had thus been dragged in
Senator Lodge retorted that instead of doing an
Injustice. the committee was on the road 10 oohg
sustice.
This statement caused Senator Patterson to say
with evidence of anger that the attitude OF Sen
ntor Lodge had been that Of menace toward the
witness ever since he had taken the stand.
my attitude" replied Senator Lodge. has not
reen any more that of menace of the witness than
rour attitude has been that of defence of him.
..I deny the imputation." said Mr.. Patterson
And / deny that have in any way attempted
ITO menace the witness" declared Mr. Lodge
SHARP PERSONALITIES EXCHANGED.
Senator Dietrich charged Senator Patterson Win
having done all that he could 10 injure the army
and nothing TO protect and preserve its good name
Mr.. Patterson resented this statement sharply
rand angrily "The Senator from Nebraska, he
said should be ashamed of himself He knows
fhlt the truth is exactly contrary with what he
hal stated and what he has said is absolutely
an "a positively untrue.
tI know that what have said is true, and re-
peat that the Senator's effort has been TO bring out
everything he could against the army" said Mr..
Dietrich
The Senator should be ashamed to make such
a statement replied Mr.. Patterson NO man is
more anxious than 1 present the army IN its
true light and develop whatever good may be said
Of IL have not hesitated in my course in that re-
Epect."
Senator Dietrich said he defed the Colorado Sen
stor TO prove the truth of his remark TO which Mr.
Patterson replied that the minority had made an
honest and faithful effort get at the facts. and
that he convinced the present intention was TO
divert il from that He declared that no gen.
rleman would make such statement as had been
made.
Senator Dietrich closed this phase Of the con-
troversy by saving that gentleman engaged in
such an inquiry this would try 10 bring out
things the interest of the army rather than mat
tiers OF contrary character.