The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-22
GAMBLERS PAID
AN ASSESSMENT
How Money For General Wood S
Presents Was Obtained.
HERBERT BROWN TESTIFlES
HEARING May LAST SEVERAL
WEEKS.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.-when the
w senate military affairs commit
tee resumed its investigation OF
the charges in connection with the
protest against the confirmation Of
General Leonard Wood to be major
general, Herbert J. Brown, a newspa-
per man, who was in Cuba during the
American occupation, was called as
witness.
Mr.. Brown told the committee that he
had obtained the afiidavits made by
shareholders Of the Jai Alai company
which had been fled by Major Rath-
bone. In the ahidavits the sharehOld-
ers declared their stock had been as
sessed for the purpose Of paying the
cost OF presents. which were given by
the gambling establishment to General
and Mrs. Wood. Members Of the COM
mite took great interest in these
charges and questioned the witness
concerning the affidavits.
Mr.. Brown was questioned also IN
regard TO the charges that General
Wood knew the character Of the Jai
Alai company. when he argued in ia
vor Of granting it a concession to Op-
crate.
Suppressed by Wood.
When reference to this charge was
made by Mr.. Brown ne was asked by
senator Cockeriu TO substantiate his
assertion. He did so by directing at
tention to official publications in Hav-
ana newspapers, showing the nature Of
the Jai Alai establishment. The state
ments included a copy Of the counpany's
bylaws and 10 was declared that these
had been suppressed by General Wood
in his statement TO the war depart
ment concerning the establishment.
The ground gone over by Mr.. Brown
is covered in the general statement OF
charges filed with the committee by
Major Rathbone. II is expected Brown
will again be called before the investi-
cation is concluded.
Rathbone Continues.
After Mr.. Brown left the committee
room Major Rathbone resumed his
statement where he left of yesterday.
lie was examined closely in regard to
his charges that General Wood used
coercion and undue influence with the
courts in getting instructions which
were unfavOrable to Major RathbOne
on his trial i'm connection with the pos
tai fraud cases.
one member OF the committee stated
today that ne believed nearly a month
wiz be consumed in the inquiry into
the charges filed against General
Wood
in the three hearings given Major
IuthbOne the committee has reached
only the first specification of his
tarzes.
Ernst Lee Conant, a New York at
torney. who went to Cuba as an at
tache of the evacuation commission,
was called by the committee this aft
ern0on and told of his connection with
General Wood in the capacity of a legal
adviser.
Root Backs Up Wood.
Secretary Root in response to a re-
40 Hrnr zoo.
presented a report from the military
COmmendation Of that officer. The sec
rotary reviews his career. pointing out
that he was first a line officer and then
became a surgeon When a surgeon he
asked and obtained command Of troops
in the Geronimo compaisn and in this
capacity Mr.. Root appends letters Of
commentator by General Miles and the
late General LawtOn- He also points
and General Wood services during the
Spanish way. and calls attention to the
fact that he has been five times named
ms a general officer. twice as a brigadier
general of volunteers. once as a ma Tor
general Of volunteers. once as brigadier
general in the regular army. Secretary
Root I'm his letter does not make any
reference or reply to the charges that
have been made against General Wood
as military governor Of Cuba.
IT is believed that the evidence viii
20 before the senate Ia executive ses-
sion and I'm the event Of a decision
by the committee flvora BILE to General
Wood the fight viii be transferred 20
the floor of the senate. In fact. no.
tice Of this has been given to a mem
her Of the committee 10y one Of the
members who Joined in the protest
against General Woods confirmation
10 be brigadier general