The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-15
GEN. WOOD KEPT
 T OUT OF PRINT
Didn't Want Story Published
 About BeIIair'S Record
KNEW HE WAS EX-CONVICT
Testimony Before the Senate Commit tee Is Given by Newspaper Men Who Kept Certain Things
 Quiet in Havana.

Washington, December 14-When the committee on military affairs resumed it's investigation of charges against General Leonard Wood. four witnesses were wait ing to be heard. These were pr. c. L.. Fisher of Chicago, and J. O.. LaFontisee, city editor of the Jacksonville, Fla, Times Union and Citizen and managing editor and city editor of the Havana Post at the time of the American occupation, L. II. Morrion of New York and General Brooke, retired.
 Mir Fisher was called first He told the story of General Woods intimacy with Bellairs and attempted to show that Gen eral Wood knew of Belairs bad record. pr. Fisher said that in September 1900, he accompanied General Wood on a trip to the Isle of Pines, and there told him of an article which had been ordered print ed in the Havana Post, exposing Belairs. The witness said that General Wood told him he did not want the story printed and that it had not been used on account of that request. Dr. Fisher took charge of the Havana paper at the request of Gen. eral Wood and he also acted as the cor- respondent of the Associated Press for a short period.
 MT. LaFontisee was then called, but the committee took an adjournment for the opening of the senate without proceeding far with his examination. He was called to corroborate the testimony of Dr. Fisher
 Instructed to Write Article.
 MT. LaFontisee was recalled at the af- ternoon session and corroborated the tes- timony given by Dr. Fisher. He said that before General Wood and Dr. Fisher started on their trip to the Isle of Pines the latter instructed him LaFontisee) to write the article concerning Bellairs. MT. LaFonsee said he took the question un- der consideration, and as in case of a libel suit. 1t would be necessary to sum mon the witnesses from the United States to prove the charges, decided that he would not print the article. He said hat when Dr. Fisher returned he was greatly agitated and asked: "You did not print the article I hope" When Dr. Fisher learned that the article was not printed he was greatly relieved. and said General Wood did not want it used.
 In addition to his corroboration of Dr. A9iSi D btSAiiiOhSs lAdr oilliStt lOlu of the manner in which he had learned of Bellair's character, and swore also that General Wood knew all about 1t. He said he learned from persons who went to Havana from Florida that Bel lairs had served five years in Florida convict prisons; three years in one, and two years in another The crime of which he had been convicted was for gerry on a branch of the Bank of Eng land.
 Told Him to Keep Quiet.
 MT. IaFontlsee said that in May, 1900, a con rA from Florida named Johnson came to him and said that he had seen Bellars and General Wood together at the races in Havana, and that he recog- nized and spoke to Bellairs, who motioned him to keep silent. According to John sons story as told by LaFontisee, Bel lairs excused himself and met Johnson, asking him to remain quiet concerning hls criminal record. After this incident. testified Mir. LaFontisee. General Wood sent for him and asked him what he knew of Bellairs' record MT. LaFontisee said he told General Wood of his talk with Johnson and also what he had learned from other persons from Florida. That was in June, 1900, and, according to Mir LaFontlsee General Wood then asked him to see Johnson and ascertain whether he would leave Cuba and re- main away. if his passage was paid to New York, and money given him John son answered: "Why do I want to leave? :? I have too good a thing here bleeding Bellairs." MT. LaFontisee returned to General Wood and gave him Johnsons answer Mir. LaFontisee said that later Bellairs and General Wood went to New York.
 General Brooke on Stand.
 When General Brooke was before the committee two weeks ago, he referred 10 two orders, one issued by the war de.- pertinent, and the other by himself te carry the first into effect, which he was unable at that time to furnish He went on the stand today to present the orders and undergo an examination concerning them. The order issued by the war de- partment directed that all funds collected in the provinces of Cuba should be sent to the military governor at Havana The charge was made that the order had been issued by direction of General Brooke for the purpose of getting hold of the funds collected at Santiago and to deprive that province of its own reve- nues.
 The newspapers in Santiago were par tlcularly bitter. General Brooke told the military affairs committee today that the order was issued at a time when he was sick in bed and that he had had no pre- vous knowledge concerning it. The oth- CT order filed with the committee today was one witness issued after his recov- | cry. It directed General Wood. in com | mand of the province of Santiago. not to make expenditures for public purposes in excess of $10,000 a month without first submitting the question to the military | government.
 Ignored the Order. General Brooke said today that General Wood had ignored that order and had | gone on spending public money without authority from the military government. l General Brooke was asked whether he | had withdrawn the revenues from Santi- | ago for expenses elsewhere. He answered | that Santiago had received all it's own revenues and more than s2OO,OOO addi- | tionai.
 l MT. Morrison. a lawyer at A Broadway, | New York, testified that he was inter- | ested in the El Rose company of Havana | and that his company received contracts | of General Wood for disinfecting the | city He said that there is still due his l company the sum of $S000 on contracts | and that Cuban officials in Havana swear | the money was paid to General Wood to discharge the indebtedness. MT. Morri- | son said he believed that General Wood | received the money
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