Evening journal., 1903-12-17
WOOD HEARING
is At An END
Secretary Root Was Last
Witness Heard by the
Senate Committee
WILL RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION

VibA NAbAUWiAH@ @ANf tFANN Aa~h
Washington, Dec. 17.--1'he senate
committee On military affairs conclud-
Cd its investigation OF charges against
General Leonard Wood. filed for the
purpose of preventing his conhrmar
tlon as major general. Secretary Root
was the last witness heard. He was
on the stand for two and half hours
at the day session, and occupied the
attention Of the committee last night
from o'clock until 1l20. 1t is under
stood that confirmation will be recon-
mended by a vote of TO 2. A minority
report will be made by the opposing
members Of the committee.
The testimony of Secretary Root Is
practically the only defense that has
been made of General Wood in the
hearing which has extended since
about the beginning Of the extraordi-
nary session Of congress. This testi-
mony. however. covered the entire
range of the evidence produeed against
General Wood.
Secretary Root testified that Gen
eral Wood had been appointed COVER
norgeneral Of Havana not because OF
any favoritism, but of a distinct belief
based upon the results he had accom-
plished at Santiago, and that he was
the best qualified officer available TO
harmonize the difference between Gu
han factions and to establish friendly
relations wth the United States
through winning the confidence Of the
Cuban people
The secretary also took up the sub
icct OF the Jai Alai company conces.
sion, and said that this was not a
gambling company, nor was the game
pelota played under the management
OF the company a gambling game any
more than was a horse race or a game
Of base ball. Men could bet on the 4
results as upon other games Of skill. |
He said that the concession or right
Of the Jai Alai company was granted
before the American occupation, and
that the concession for which General
Wood had been criticized was that of
an addition 10 the buildings of the
company. The only question In regard
10 this grant was whether or not It
would be contrary TO the Foraker
amendment The whole matter was
referred to the war department by
General Wood The subject was first
considered by Judge Magoon. law OH
cor Of the bureau Of insular affairs
who after a most careful review Of the
case had held that the extension did
not come within the Foraker amend
ment preventing the granting Of fran.
chises IN Cuba. The secretary said
he reviewed Judge Magoons opinion
and came 10 the Same conclusion. The
authority granted 10 the company was
then approved by the war department
so that General Wood in this matter
acted under the instructions and With
the approval OF the war department.
- as for the acceptance by General
Wood Of the present OF silver ser
vice from the Jai Alai Association,
Secretary Root asserted that the gift
did not come from that association at
all II was the result of a popular
subscription. in which all of the prin.
cipal merchants and citizens OF Hav
ana Joined as a testimonial to General
Wood on the eve Of his departure from
the island II was fact that lead
ing ofIicer Of the Iai Alai Association,
who is also a prominent merchant OF
Havana. took prominent part in the
collection OF the subscriptions. but
that did not make it gift Of the asso-
citation.
Secretary Root was asked especially
about the charge which Major Rath.
bone had made that General Wood
Influenced the courts IN the prosecu.
ton Of 'Rathbone and had tampered
with the courts The secretary eX-
planned at some length the court sys-
tenn in Cuba. saying that the court Of
first instance was Ia reality an oalcer
directed 70 prosecute and TO obtain
evidence. He was something Ike q
grand jury in finding evidence but was
further empowered to 60 out and OBJ
tain evidence. mingle with the people
procure afidavits and otherwise e
collect evidence against alleged often
ders. The secretary said he knew
what General Wood was doing in this
matter and approved Il. The secretary
said that in fact he directed that the
prosecution OF the offenders be com
nenced. and General Wood was acting
IN this matter under orders from the
var department