The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-22
Feature of Testimony Before the Sem
ate Committee That Was Ruled
Out Because 1t Was Hearsay.
LAWYER CONANT EXAMINED
SAID A SILVER DINNER SET WAS
PRESENTED TO THE WOODS.
Alleged to Have Been I'm Return for
Granting q Gambling Conces-
sion Mt Havana.

WASHINGTON, Nov. N.-The Senate
military committee to-day continued its in
vestigation of the charges made against
Gen. Leonard Wood. Major Rathb0ne.
who filed many of the charges, was the
first witness. He was asked If he had
given out statements concerning the COM
mittee's inquiry and admitted that he had
done so. He was requested In the future
to consider whatever took place inside the
committee room to be executive and agreed
to refrain from making public any Of the
subsequent proceedings.
The committee decided that all extraneous
Irrelevant evidence should be excluded.
Hearsay testimony, IL even supported by
documents known to be on file at the War
Department were included in the matter
ruled out, as was that of the witnesses who
told of the general impressions relating to
the acceptance of gifts from the Jai Alai,
companied by General and Mrs. Wood. In
this connection much of the evidence Of
fered by Ernest Lee Conant, of the Havana
office of any law firm, was ruled out. The
methods of procedure are those of a court
of justice with the members of the commit
tee serving as court and jury.
IF Gen. Leonard Wood were on trial for
his life he would not receive instructions
from the court more favorable than the
rulings which have been made by the Sen
ate military committee in present investiga-
tion," said member of the committee to-
night, when asked about the methods used
in dealing with the various witnesses ex-
amined.
1t is understood that in the event Of de-
cison by the committee favorable to Gen.
eral Wood the fight will be transferred to
the floor of the Senate. In fact. notice of
this has been given to member Of the
committee by one of the senator's who
joined in the protest against General
Woods confirmation to be brigadier gen.
eral.
The entire afternoon was occupied by the
committee in examining Mr.. Conan. In
connection with the case Of the acceptance
of the presents from the Jai Alai by general
and Mrs. Wood, MIR. Conana told OF tele-
gram which was sent from Havana to New
York while the granting Of concession to
the establishment was pending. The story
of the telegram was told to Mr.. Conant by
G. Lawton Childs. a shareholder in the Jai
Alai. He said that Pedro Galbis, secretary
of the establishment, went TO New YORK TO
purchase a silver dinner set Tor General
Wood, and while there was ordered not TO
make the investment until notice OF the
granting of the concession was printed in
the Official Gazette at Havana. The con-
cession was granted, a telegram sent Cal
bis, and, according to Mr.. Conan, the pur-
chase made al a cost of $500.
After considerable discussion the commit
tee ruled this testimony out of order. Galbis
is dead, but it is said the telegram can be
produced and will be offered to the Senate.
Request has been made that the committee
subpoena a number OF army officers who
ua6 in General Wood
thus far no action has been taken by the
committee in that direction.
Herbert J. Browne; newspaper man
who was in Cuba during the American
occupation, told the committee that he had
obtained the affidavits made by share
holders of the Jai Alai Company which
affidavits the shareholders declared their
stock had been assessed for the purpose
of paying the cost of presents which were
given by the gambling establishment to
Gen. and Mrs. Wood. Members of the
committee took great interest in these
charges and questioned the witness con-
corning the affidavits.
Mr.. Browne was questioned also in re-
gard to the charge that General Wood
knew the character Of the Jai Alai when he
argued In favor of granting 1t conces-
charge was made by Mr. Browne he was
asked by Senator Cockrell to substantiate
his assertions. He did so by directing at
tention to official publications In Havana
newspapers showing the nature Of the Jai
Alais establishment. These statements in
cluded copy of the company's bylaws,
and 1t was declared that these had been
suppressed by General Wood In his state
ment to the War Department concerning
the establishment The ground gone over
by Mr. Browne is covered in the general
statement of charges filed with the COM
mittee by Major Rathbone. 1t is expected
Mr.. Browne will again be called before the
investigation Is concluded.
Secretary Root in response to a request
from the military committee, has sent
report upon the military record of General
Wood. 1t is strong commentator of
that officer. The secretary reviews his ca
reer, pointing out that he was first a line
officer and then became a surgeon. When
a surgeon he asked and obtained COM
mand of troops In the Geronimo campaign,
and in this connection he appends letters
of commendation by General Miles and the
late General Lawton. He also points out
General Woods services during the Span
ish war and calls attention to the fact that
he has been five times named as a general
officer, twice as brigadier general of vol
unteers, once a major general of vol
unteers, brigadier general in the
regular army and again as major general
in the regular army. Secretary Root in
his letter, does not make any reference or
reply to the charges that have been made
against General Wood as military Governor
of Cuba.