The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-20
GENERAL WOOD IS
 AGAIN UNDER FIRE
Senate Comgittee Investigates
 His Record in Cuba
RAPED BY SENATOR HANNA
Senator Defends the Character of Maj. Rathbons and Says He Has Been Mistreated-Wood's Pro-
 motion Too Rapid.

Washington, November l9-The inquiry of the senate committee on military af- fairs into the opposition to the eonfirma- ton of the nomination of Gen. Leonard Wood to be major general in the army was begun today behind closed doors. Be- fore closing the doors there were ex- changes of opinion concerning the pro priety of making the proceedings public The point was raised by Senator Quarles and several other members of the com mittee, sustained by all of them, taking the position that as all of the business was executive in character the commit tee had no right to make 1t public with out first securing an order from the senate.
 Senator Scott made a plea for open ses- sions during the hearing passing his eon- tention on the ground of general public interest
 Tt will all be in the evening papers anyway he said and l think it bet ter to have an authorized report then try to hide the proeeedings'
 When the doors were closed the com mittee decided to proceed today in eX- ecutive session and that the proceedings Will not be made pubic
 Rathbone Present.
 In addition to the members of the com mittee and the newspaper men, Senators Teller and Hanna and Maj. Estes G. Rathbone were present, the three last named being prepared to present objec- tions to General Woods confirmation. It was stated that no charges had yet been filed against the general, but Senator Proctor who presided, said he under stood Maj. Rathbone would present such charges.
 At today's session Senator Teller said he objected to General Wood because of the injustice that was being done to the army by his promotion. The senator said the action of General Wood in the Rath- bone case was of character to show his unfltness for high command.
 Senator Hanna's statement dealt espe- cially with his active interest, In behalf of Major Rathbone, when he was under prosecution for malfeasance in office, as director of posts for Cuba in 19Qe and in subsequent years. He said that General Woods requirement that Rathbone should give a cash bond of $25'O0O in American gold when he was first arrest ed was beyond all reason, in view of the fact that the amount he was charged with misappropriating was only about s4O0O, and he contended that man who would be so unjust and so unfair under the circumstances should not be entrust- ed with having high command. He also spoke of long acquaintance with Major Rathbone, and reiterated his confidence In his integrity.
 Rathbone UnJustly Tre2tad.
 Senator Teller said that he hsS known Major Rathbone for many years and from his knowledge of him, both in pub lie and private life, he felt the major had been unjustly treated under the direction of General Wood. He then took up the question of the promotion of General Wood and went into details to show that he had been pressed forward in ian un- precedented manner" He said that from the time of the beginning of the Cuban war, when General Wood was a surgeon with the rank of captain, he had been lifted over the heads of almost five hun dred other officers of whom half had seen service in the civil war.
 Senator Proctor, acting chairman of the military committee. has requested the secretary of war to send to the commit tee the military record of General Wood for it's use in connection with the noDina- tion. The committee will meet tomorrow to continue It's inquiry as to General Wood
 Nominations Confirmed.
 Washington. November 19-The senate in executive session today confirmed the following nominations
 Consuls general-Ethelbert Watts of Pennsylvania at St. Petersburg. Russia; Frank Steinhart of Pennsylvania at Ha- vana, Cuba; Church Howe of Nebraska at Antwerp Belgium
 Collector of customs-For the district of Natchez, John Russell of Mississippi.
 Postmaster-S. T. Pointer at Spartan burg, s. C.