Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-06
FEELING STILL UGLY
Porto Rican Resentment Re-
mains Unabated.
THE SMUGGLING GASES
HOME GOVERNMENT HELD VIGOR-
OUSLY TO ACCOUNT.
Resignation of Chief Hord Regarded as
the Sacrifice of a Faithful Official
Press and People With Him.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
SAN JUAN, P. R., May 8.-The ugly
feeling that has prevailed in Porto Rico
since the American invasion has been
caused by the measures adopted in Wash
ington and by the insular government to
secure immunity for the smugglers.
This feeling has been intensified by the
resignation Of John S. Hord, chief of the
internal revenue bureau, who on behalf
Of the insular government ordered the
prosecution Of Capt. Dunlap, Robert Giles
and Capt. Mentz, while Treasurer Will
loughby was out of town investigating
the municipal frauds in Mayaguez. Chief
Hord said he acted by Mr. Willoughby's
orders. This Mr.. Willoughby has publicly
denied. Mr.. Hord, who has a splendid
record for honest, fearless work, promptly
offered his resignation, which was as
promptly accepted.
Press and People With Hord.
The people and the press are siding with
Mr.. Hord against Treasurer Willoughby.
One American paper said editorially:
THE resignation from office of Chief
Hord for his participation in the prose-
cution Of the smugglers is an honor to
that gentleman which rarely becomes the
opportunity of a public official to bear.
He leaves his office crowned with honor
and glory. Like a soldier on the field of
battle, he stood at his post of duty and
was shot down. not by the enemy, but
by his own commander. for refusing to re-
treat and for doing what he knew to be
right.
I'm the estimation of the people who
love justice and fairness to all. he now
stands head and shoulders above the man
who caused him to resign.
"One of Mr. Hord's duties was to prose-
I-Jn n1of Of f1o {,,{4
laws, and 1t was not his duty to show
favoritism in this task. Mr.. Hord was
acting strictly in compliance with the die
tates of his conscience and of his Off
cial duty, and the people will forever so
consider 1t.
1--WE should have more officials and men
Ike John S. Hord."
The Associated Press dispatch stating
that Secretary Moody had declared that if
San Juan did not cease prosecuting the
accused army and navy officials it's chances
of getting the naval station would be very
much impaired, and also that all officers
may be withdrawn from San Juan, was
generally accepted a threat and caused
another outburst of feeling. Even fed
eral officials criticised the retaliation tone
of the dispatch and called the message ILL
timed The accused also objected because
the Secretary gave publicity to the fact
that they had 'atoned for their indiscre-
ton by paying double the duties they
should have paid"
Moved Dismissal of Indictments.
On the same day United States District
Attorney Pettingill moved in the United
States district Court the dismissal of the
indictments against ex-Supervisor of Eec-
tions Butler, Robert Giles, Capt Mentz
Capt Lowndes and Capt. Crabbs. Judge
Holt took under advisement the motion
to nolle prosequi the cases, and then fol-
lowed long speculation as to what he would
do, thus keeping up the excitement and
suspense.
Extent of the Smuggling.
The strongest objection made in Porto
Rico to the attitude of the Washington
authorities is to the official statement min
imizing the extent of the smuggling 1t is
denied that only a few bottles of liquor
and a few cigars are involved. The prelim-
mary examinations before U. s. Commits
sioner Anderson showed, 1t is said that hun
dreds of cases of liquor were smuggled on
naval vessels and subsequently carted about
in army wagons. There was also testimony
that dozen separate orders for liquors were
sent to ST. Thomas on single vessel and
the bills were subsequently checked up and
the piles of boxes were arranged at the
naval station. 1t is also said that records
show that 800 cases were landed one night
on the sea wall and stored for time in
ed at dinners that the wines used had
paid no duty. Naval station employees
swore that wholesale smuggling had been
going on ever since American occupation and
the reports of Collector CruZen left no room
to doubt.
The government may find 1t impossible to
suppress the cases. movement is already
being made for an official investigation OF
many instances Of alleged smuggling which
have not yet been presented to the courts
and long fight is apparently on. The enc
mics of the smugglers evidently propose to
keep the administration in hot water for
some time to come. Agents of the demo-
cratic party in the United States are partic-
ularly active in this matter and will not let
the story die just yet.
Editor Sentenced to Jail.
There was a new development when Ho-
bart S. Bird editor Of the San Juan News.
and Internal Revenue Agent George w.
Gibbs were tried in the San Juan district
court for contempt of that court. Bird was
convicted, fined $50 and sentenced to five
five days in jail. Gibbs was acquitted. The
alleged contempt consisted in Bird having
published the following remark made by
Gibbs in connection with the smuggling
cases:
Internal Revenue Agent Gibbs stated
yesterday that he could perceive the effect
Of the order upon the administration of JUS
uce in the insular courts even SO soon as
tnlS. he SAID tnat the courts take the uDer-
ty already of following the example and
leaning to their friends while before they
dared not do this thing
Public sentiment interprets the punish
ment of Bird as a retaliatory measure be-
cause Of his activity in exposing the SNUG
Cling frauds. On the day after his con-
yiction Bird published a two column edi-
torial fercely denunciating such censorship
of the press and declaring the Constitution
of the United States to be a mockery. He Is
likely to stir up more trouble and laughs at
his arrest.
To Revise Hospital Corps Regulations.
A board of army officers has been ordered