The semi-weekly messenger., 1903-12-18

Washington, December 16.-The
tonight concluded it's investigation of
charges against General Leonard
Wood, filed for the purpose of pre-
venting his confirmation as major
general
Secretary Root was the only wit
ness today. He was on the stand for
two and a half hours at the forenoon
session and occupied the attention Of
the committee tonight from s o'clock
until 1920. The committee will meet
tomorrow to prepare its report. 1t is
understood that confirmation will be
recommended by a vote Of to 2. A
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 General Wood in the
hearing which has extended since
about the beginning of the extraor-
binary session of Congress. This test1-
mOny, however. covered the entire
range of the evidence produced
against General Wood and was sup
spondence and other data taken from
records at the war department COW
ering the period of General Woods
administration as governor general.
Secretary Root undertook to carry
the whole responsibility for the orders
issued by General Wood affecting the
judicial system in Cuba and concern
ing the concession granted to the Jal
Alai Company at Havana. He justi-
fed the acceptance by General Wood
of the present of silver set from
the Jai Alai Company.
At the forenoon session of the COM
nittee Secretary Root was given ev-
cry latitude in telling his story Of the
affairs in the island and refuung the
charges that had been made by a
number of witnesses, but at the eve
ming session questions were asked by
Senator Teller which confined the
secretary to the Runcie letter, the Jal
Alai concession, and vvnlerity as a
means of recognizing military servfc.-
Many of the questions were pointed
and in some cases severe upon Cen
eral Wood, but in every case General
Wood found a warm defender.
Secretary Root said the Jai Alai
Company was not a gambling COM
pany, nor was the game pelota play
ed under the management of the COM
pdny d game, any lllOlc liie1ii
was a horse race or q game of base
ball. 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 occupation and that the
| concession for which General Wood
had been criticised was that of ar
addition to the building Of the com
pany. The only question in regard tc
| this grant was whether or not II
would be contrary to the Foraker
amendment The whole matter was
| referred to the war department by
| General Wood. The subject was con-
| sidered first by Judge Magoon, Law
| officer OF the bureau of insular affairs
| VINO after a most careful review OF
| the case had held that the extension
| did not come within the Foraker
| amendment preventing the granting
| of franchises in Cuba. The secretary
| said he reviewed Judge Magoon':
opinion and came to the same con
| Cluslon.
| The committee received today {
| communication from Major Estes G.
| Rathbone asking that he be called
| again to direct attention to numbel
Of things which he said the commit
| tee had ignored. He asked that {
| large number of new witnesses be
| summoned.