The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-17
WOOD WINS OUT
COMMITTED IS FOR HIS CONFIRMA-
TTON.
THE VOTE WILL BE 8 TO 2.
mot TOOK ANY BLAME THAT
MGTH HAVE BEEN WOODS.

s..retary of War Was on the Stand
Two Hours and n Half-He Made n
Long Talk About the Cuban Mat
tor. for Which Wood Has Been
Censured-COmmitte Ready to
p.enore It's RepOrt-MinOrity VIII
Oppose.
washington, Dec. 16.-The Senate
committee on Military Affairs to-day
concluded it's investigation of charges
ogainst Gen. Leonard Wood, filed for
the purpose of preventing his contr-
nation as major general.
Secretary Root was the only wit
,ess to-day. He was on the stand
for two and q half hours, at the fore
noon session, and occupied the atten-
4ion of the committee tonight from
o'clock until 11:20.
The committee will meet tomorrow
10 prepare it's report. 1t is said that
confirmation will be recommended by
a vote of to 2. 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 Gen. Wood in the hear
ing. which has extended since the be-
ginning of the extraordinary session of
Congress. His testimony, however,
covered the entire range of the evil
dence produced against Gen. Wood,
and was supported in many instances
with correspondence. and other data
taken from records at the War De-
partment covering the period of Gen.
Woods administration as governor
general of Cuba.
Root Took Responsibility.
Secretary Root undertook to assume
the whole responsibility for the or
ders issued by Gen. Wood affecting
the judicial system in Cuba, and con-
corning the concession granted to the
Jai Alai Company at Havana. He
justified the acceptance by Gen. Wood
of the present of a silver set from the
Jai Alai Company.
Root Given Latitude.
At the forenoon session of the COM
mittee, Secretary Root was given every
latitude in telling his story of the af-
fairs in the island and refuting the
charges that had been made by a num-
Der of witnesses, but at the evening
session questions were asked by Sen
ator Teller which confined the Secre-
tary to the Runcie letter, the Jai Alai
concession and seniority as a means of
recognizing military service. Many of
Ihe questions were pointed and in some
cases severe upon Gen. Wood, but In
every case Gen. Wood found warm
defender.
Secretary Root said the Jai Alai Com
pany was not gambling company, nor
was the game pelota played under the
management of the company gam
bling game any more than was horse
race or a game of baseball. Men could
bet on the results as upon other games
of skill. He said that the concession
or right of the Jai Alai Company was
granted before the American occupa-
ton, and that the concession FOR wnlcn
Gen. Wood had been criticised was that
of an addition to the building of the
company. The only question in re-
gard to this grant was whether or not
it would be contrary to the Foraker
amendment.
Referred to War Department.
The whole matter was referred to
the War Department by Gen. Wood.
The subject was considered first by
Judge Magoon, law officer OF the Bu-
reau of Insular Affairs, who, after
most careful review of the case, nal
held that the extension did not come
within the Foraker amendment pre-
venting the granting of franchises in
Cuba The Secretary said he review
ed Judge Magoon's opinion and came
to the same conclusion.
The committee to-day received
communication from Maj. Estes 6.
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 large
number of new witnesses be summoned.