New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-17
ROOT SUSTAINS WOOD.
Continued from first page.

faulty accounting and auditing He took occasion
to say that the weakness of this charge might have
been established long ago had the Senate printed
the accounts which he transmitted TO that body
last winter in answer TO a resolution.
Secretary Root asked especially about the
charge which Major Rathbone had made that Gen
eral Wood had Influenced the courts in the prose
cution of Rathbone. and had tempered with the
courts. The Secretary explained at length
the court system in Cuba. saying that the OF
first instance was in reality officer directed to
prosecute and TO obtain evidence He was some
thing like a grand jury in obtaining evidence but
was further empowered 10 so out and obtain evil
dence mingle with the people. procure afidavits
and otherwise to collect evidence against alleged
offenders. The Secretary said that he knew what
General Wood was doing in this matter. and ap-
proved it. In fact he directed that the prosecution
of the offenders be vigorous. and General Wood was
acting in this matter under orders from the War
Department
In regard to the Jai Alai company. the Secretary
said that this a gambling company. nor
was the game pelota. PLAYED under the management
of the company. gambling game any more than
was horserace or game of baseball. Men could
bet on the results, upon other games of skill
He said that the concession right of the Jai
Alai company granted before the American
occupation and that the concession for which Gen
eral Wood had been criticised was that Of an addi-
ton TO the building of the company.
The only question in regard to this grant was
whether or not it would be contrary the Foraker
War Department by General Wood The subject
first considered by Judge Magoon law officer
OF the Bureau OF Insular Affairs. who after a most
careful review of the case had held that the ex-
tension did not come within the Foraker amend
ment preventing the granting of franchises in
Cuba. The Secretary said that he reviewed Judge
Magoon's opinion. and came to the same couclu-
sion. The authority granted to 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,
Senator Teller was present. and asked Secretary
Root a number Of questions bearing on the case
many OF which were suggested by the testimony
which the Secretary gave.
The committee received to-day a communication
from Major Rathbone asking that he be called
again to direct attention to a number of things
which he said, the committee had ignored He
asked that his several requests the subpoena OF
Colonel Leho, 18th United States Cavalry be acted
upon. He suggested that Colonel Lebo be ques-
toned 10 bring out the fact that Wood was not
WITH his command on the hrst days fight at
that Major General S. S Summer be examined o6
the same subject. -
Attention was called by Major Rathbone IN tho
fact that the committee had been asked several
times 10 subpoena Major Orlando Quicker Os
ex-Audtor of Cuba. and w. H. Lancashire an ex..
auditing officer of Cuba. The committee is asked
unless it is satisfied that General Wood knew the
character OF the correspondent Bellairs when he
made Bellairs his friend and recommended that
The Associated Press retain him In its employ TO
call Mr. Cairns. formerly chief special agent under
General Bliss in Havana.
Other witnesses asked for by Major Rathbone,
Senator Hanna and Senator Teller Bert a Miller
OF Canton, Ohio; Corydon a Rich. OF Muncie. Ind.
of The New-York Evening Post" In this connec-
respondence between General William Ludlow and
the adJutant general OF the army growing out OF
concerning yellow fever conditions In HaV5pa 49,
Cuba under the Brooke and Wood administrations.