The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-08
SUES AN ARMY OFFICER.
Government Wants Mr.. Brooks
to Pay $4,000.

Suits that promise the exposure of
Irregularities in the quartermaster's de-
partment through which thousands of
dollars were misspent during military
activity in Cuba in 1898, have been
brought against Capt John c. w.
Brooks, of Fort I-eavenworth, and his
bondsmen by the United States govern
ment. The actions are of a civil ma
ture, and no informa ton has been re-
ceived by U. S. District Attorney ]. S.
Dean that leads to the supposition that
criminal proceedings are likely to fol-
low. In one of the suits the govern
ment demands restitution in the sum
OF S24,2s7.57. In the other the sum de-
manded is $39, 326.38. Captain Brooks
and the American Surety company are
joint defendants in both actions.
All the information possessed
by sthe district attorneys Of
nce has been furnished by M. d. O'Con-
nell, solicitor for the United States treas
ury department at Washington. 1t con-
sists Of long lists of disallowed claims in
the war department presented by Brooks,
who was a quartermaster in the United
States volunteer army at Havana. Each
remarkably variety of expenditures and
indicate that the military authorities were
housed and fed in LUXURY during the he,, nil
Brooks, as quartermaster. was required
to furnish bonds for the proper conduct OF
his office and an honest expenditure OF the
large amount of government money at his
disposal. During his period of several
onths service IN dss ana dSs' ne 2.
expected for the maintenance of the Uni
ted States forces in the island. The infor-
flee indicate that Brooks spent money
with lavish freedom. He entertained visit
ing military and naval officers and prom
inent Cuban citizens and advanced money
to Officers in all grades of the service for
private use and travelling expenses.
Beyond the bare details of the audi
onfhfnp NJ ~
stances of the disallowed expenditures
is given in the information in possession
of District Attorney Dean. 1t appears
from the items found there, however,
that the military authorities, during the
occupation of Cuba. seized and appro-
priated to their own use hotel called
the Ventura Totcha. which. was sup
piled with all modern conveniences
and used for the entertainment Of guests
at military headquarters. Among the
disallowed items is a bill for $36266 for
installing electric lights in the building
Another for baths and water closet
plumbing amounted to s592.96. One item
is for $$1 400 for meals and use OF rooms
in the Ventura Totcha. A receipt for
only $14 was given and the government
allowed only that much of the bill. An
other item is for s461 for a dinner for the
Spanish commission and another is for
$116 for boarding Admiral Sampson and
servants. Two bills for wines, Whistles,
cigars and cigarettes amount to 81. 398.09.
II appears that Studl lelIIldstSr DroohS
furnished money on frequent occasions
for officers summoned to Washington
on government business. In each case
produced these officers are reported to
have been allowed claims for travelling
expenses elsewhere. The entire amount
of the $4,000 is made up of such items,
ranging from few cents to several
thousand dollars for dry docking trans
ports and other vessels.
Brooks bond, furnished by him to
| the government. amounted to ST. 900.
less than half the amount he is held