New-York tribune., 1902-01-10
REPORT ON HEISTAND CASE
Election ON ANY GOVERN
MENT OFFICIAL.

Washington, Jan. 9.-The Senate Committee
on Military Affairs to-day unanimously agreed
on report the charges against Lieutenant
Colonel H. o. S. Heistand. Of the army. and the
report was presented to the Senate by Mr.. Cock
rell. The report contains concise statement OF
the facts in the case as brought out by the in
ouiry and casts reflection on any of the off,
GERS of the government whose names were men
toned in connection with the case.
The report cites the charge quoted in the
luton Of inquiry that Colonel Heistand in 1899
was engaged in forming a combination for the
purpose of controlling the hemp product of the
Philippine Islands, and that the names of AS
sistant Secretary Meiklejohn. Assistant Attor-
ney General Boyd Assistant Secretary Alien
and Adjutant General Corbin had been fire.
quently mentioned by him associated with
him in the enterprise.
The committee finds that the charge made in
the first paragraph of the preamble to the reso-
luton is not true. the facts being that Colonel
(then MaJor) Heistand. about May, 1899, pro-
posed to Major E. L. Hawkes.. who had been
major of the 10th Volunteer Infantry, scheme
for establishing plant in Manila for the manu-
facture Of the hemp product in those islands,
and suggested TO Major Hawkes. TO take charge
Of It, which offer the latter accepted. The COM
pany then prepared a prospectus. and blank
for the names of subscribers but the incorpora-
tion never consummated.
The committee finds that Heistand ana
Hawkes. canvassed the possibility of interesting
government officials whose names are mentioned
in the resolution. It is found that Heistand wrote
TO Hawkes. in 1899, charged. sending oocu-
ments and making suggestions about the Phil
ippne tariff, but the committee says that these
suggestions capable of different construc-
tions. 'It is" says the report, impossible for
the committee TO divine Colonel Heistand's in
fha
the future viii be met as they require refer
ring to the Philippine tariff"
The committee finds that Hawkes. made a
claim on Heistand for compensation for services,
but the charge that Assistant Secretary Meikle-
john guaranteed to Hawkes. position in the
government service in part settlement OF TINS
claim is not sustained by the committee but
it is found that Mr.. Meiklejohn did, in March.
1900, appoint Hawkes. inspector OF Gus
toms service in the Philippines; but this ap-
pointment was revoked by Secretary Root in
the May following.
Other findings are: That while Heistand was
the protector of the hemp company he was not
authorized to represent the other government
officials who were engaged with him, and It
is not found that tariff duties would be adjusted
for their benefit.
That the matter Of the adjustment Of the tar
If was never mentioned directly or indirectly
by Colonel Heistand to General Corbin, Assist
ant Secretary Meiklejohn, Assistant Attorney
General Boyd Assistant Secretary Allen.
That Heistand asked General Corbin TO take
stock, and that the latter first assented and
then declined.
The testimony concerning the charge that
Hestand had promises from Assistant Secretary
Allen and Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn is re-
peated without comment, but the following is
added: Your committee further finds that the
Assistant Secretary Of War. Hon. g. D. Mekle-
john, has not used government positions for the
purpose Of paying private debts of any officer
OF the government"
The committee finds that the letter OF
mendation of Hawkes. of date July 13 1900
signed jointly by Colonel Hestand, Assistant
Attorney General Boyd and Assistant Secretary
Meiklejohn was not signed ofFcially by those
officers, and also that the words, the govern
ment will look with favor on the same" mean
ing the enterprise. were not in the correct copy
OF that letter