The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-18
TO CONFIRM WOOD
Understood That the Sen
ate Committee Will so
Recommend.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington. Dec. 16-The Senate Com
Guided its Investigation of charges against
General Leonard Wood, filed for the pur
pose of preventing his confirmation as
MAJOR general, Secretary Root was the
only witness today. He was on the stand
for two and one-half hours at the fore
noon session and occupied the attention
of the committee tonight from O'Clock
until 11:20. The committee will meet to-
morrow to prepare its report 1t is under
stood that confirmation will be recon-
mended by vote of to 2 A minority
report ,rill be made by the opposing mem
bers o.-rhe 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 be-
ginning of the extraordinary session of
Congress. This testimony however, COW
cred the entire range of the evidence pro-
duced against General Wood and was sup
ported in many instances with correspond
ence and other data taken from records
at the War Department covering the
period of General Woods administration
as governor general of Cuba Secretary
Root undertook to assume the whole re-
sponsbility for the orders issued by Gen
eral Wood affecting the judicial system in
Cuba and concerning the concession
granted to the Jai Alai Company at Ha-
vana. He justified the acceptance by
General Wood of the present of silver
set from the Jai Alai Company.
At the forenoon session of the commit
tee, Secretary Root was given every lati-
tude in telling his story of the affairs in
the island and refuting the charges that
had been made by number Of witnesses.
but at the evening session questions were
asked by Senator Teller, which confined
the Secretary to the Runcie letter, the
Jai Alai concession, and seniority as a
means of recognizing military service.
Many of the questions We're pointed and
in some cases severe upon General Wood
hut in every case General Wood found
warm defender.
Secretary Root said the Jai Alai Com
p2ny 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 Gorse race
or a game of baseball. Men could bet
on The results as upon other games OF
sill. He said that the concession Of
Sht q lhe Jdl Afdl Company was granted
sfore the American occupation and that
e concession for which General Wood
I'd been criticised was that of an addition
the building of the company. The
lly question in regard to this grant was
neither or not it would be contrary to
&c Foraker amendment. The whole mat
+ was referred TO the War Department
General Wood. The subject was con-
Gered first by Judge Magoon, law Off
r OF the Bureau of Inslilar Affairs, who
after NEST careful review of the case
had held that the extension did not come
within the Foraker amendment prevent
ing the granting OF franchises in Cuba.
EThe secretary said he reviewed Judge
Magocns opinion and came to the same
conclusion.
The committee received today com
munication from Major Estes G.. Rath-
bone asking that he DC called again to
direct attention to q number of things
which he said the committee had ignored.
Ee asked that a large number OF new wit
Issses be summoned.