New-York tribune., 1902-08-20
ATTACKS COLONEL BATES.
MAJOR SMITH CHARGES AN IMPROPER
CLAIM ON DESTROYED PROPERTY.
GENERAL BELIEF THAT THE COLONEL CAN
SHOW THAT HIS COURSE HAS BEEN
ENTIRELY LAWFUL

Colonel William G. Bates. Of the list Regi-
ment, has been accused by Major Clinton H
Smith. Of the same command. of putting in an
improper claim to the board of audit which
has been examining the accounts of the officers
of the regiment, presenting claims for reim-
bursenent by the State for property destroyed
by the armory fire in February. Major E. T. 7.
Marsh. the regimental surgeon, is also charged
with putting in an improper account.
\ meeting of the board was held last night,
and it was learned that Major Smith had sent
an official communication to General George
Moore Smith, accusing Colonel Bates OF i'm
proper action. and asking that off1cial actloh pe
taken in connection herewith.
Those who know Colonel Bates however. scout
the idea that anything serious viii come oi 'he
stand taken against him by Major Smith and
officers who are fully aware Of all OF fhe fac'S u
the case say that Colonel Bates can fully clear
himself In fact. it is said that ample proof eH-
lists that Colonel Bates has done nothing wrong
An appropriation of $4,000 was made by the
State to reimburse officers of the regiment for
their personal property destroyed by the nre III
the armory. There was A proviso. however
that only claims for property not covered by IN
surance would be allowed
An officer who will not allow his name to he
used said: 1T is very unfortunate that ac-
cusa+ions against any officer Of the regiment
in any serious action and the standing OF the
accused officer will not suffer. either when the
facts are known They are these: Colonei
Bates at meeting of the board several weeks
ago and long before there was any unpieas-
antness announced to the board that ne hao
received some insurance on his property de-
s+roved in the fire but that he had decided 10
nut in his claim 70 the State, nevertheless as ne
was not so sure that the law barred out officers
who had not received full value for goods de-
stroyed He desired TO make this fact PLAIN
10 the board he said so that they could, If they
saw fit. throw out the claim. If they deemed II
improper.
THE board took note Of the colonels state
ment but no action was then taken in reference
10 throwing out the account formally decid-
ing that it was proper. The colonel also eX-
planned that he had actually lost much more
property than he had received insurance for.
Some days afterWard Major smith sent a
letter to General Smith. in which he cited that
the COlonel's action in presenting Such clalH
was manifestly improper. and that ne should oe
held 10 q strict account the action, which
was one. the major insisted, that Tnerlteo Serl-
GUS consideration
matter came up. Colonel Bates stated that ne
did not desire 10 have any squsbble over the
matter. TJe said that he had plainly told the
facts Of the cass 70 the board previously and
left il q the members 10 dispose or. Inc
colonel was perfectly willing 10 have the &C
count withdrawn. although he believed he was
rfghtfully entitled to it"
Of7cers in the regiment who side with Colonel
Bates assert that the accusations brought
against the colonel are the result OF anlmus.
Friends OF Major Smith. however. assert that
he will push the charges. and. II necessary.
move against the entire board.
Colonel Bates and Major Smith refused TO
talk Major Marsh is out Of town Ihs clrcuH.
stances in his case are the same as in Colonel
Bates's.