Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-15
RUNCIE ON THE STAND
Testimony Does Not Rebound to
Credit Of the Former Cover
nor General

The Senate committee on military az
fairs resumed its hearing in the General
Wood case today. with Maj. J. e. Runcie
as the first witness. Statements made by
Ray Stannard Baker, the magazine writer.
concerning the article rejecting upon the
administration OF Maj. zen. John r. Brooke
made it necessary for the recall Of Major
Runcie. He was asAeo a number OF ques-
tions concerning the origin Of the article
in question and stood by his former testi-
mony, to the effect that General Wood bad
knowledge Of the story, and that 1t was
prepared practically at his suggestion and
dictation.
Inspector General Burton.
The second witness today was Gen.
George H Burton, inspector general Of tue
army. He occupied the position OF in
spector general in .uba under the admins
tradon of General Wood as governor gen.
eral. and 1t was he who discovered the
postal frauds. He was called for the pur-
pose Of telling the committee the date OF
that discovery, and also the date General
Wood made the order revising the judicial
system Of Cuba for the admission OF ex
parte testimony.
Gen. Burton said that the discovery Of
the postal frauds was made in April. 1900,
and that 1t was two weeks or more later
when the order was issued by Gen. Wood
changing the jurisdiction and powers of the
court.
Says Wood Cut Salaries.
Alexis e. Frye. formerly superintendent Of
public instruction Of Cuba. followed Gen.
Burton. Mr. Frye told the committee that
the schools Of Cuba were organized under
laws issued by Gen. Brooke. and that an
order making a cut in salaries OF teachers
was issued by Gen. Wood. He declared that
there had been a breach Of faith on the
part Of Gen. Wood. which tnterfered with
the efficiency Of the schools II, He "a asserted e0
that Gen. Wood was untruthful In many
matters affecting public AFFAIRS.
Secretary Root viii be called by the COM
mittee on military affairs tomorrow. Inc
committee plans to conclude its inquiry TO-
morrow.
Wants Wood Summoned.
During the hearings yesterday afternoon
of the Senate military committee Senator
Hanna made a formal request OF the COM
mittee that Gen. Wood be subpoenaed 10
ccme home from the Philippines In order
that he may answer the charges against
him, ana that he may be questioned con-
cerning his actions in Cuba.
Mr. Lafontisee was recalled and corrobo-
rated the testimony given by DR.. Fisher
relative to the article concerning Beliairs.
Lafontises told Ct the manner n wnlo and
-
smore also that Gen. Wood knew all about
It.
when Gen. Brooke was before the COM
nfttee two weeks ago he referred to two
orders. one issued by the War DEPART
ment, and the other by himself. to carry
the first in effect, which he was unable at
that time to furnish. He went on the stand
yesterday to present the orders and un-
dergo an examination concerning them.
The second order directed Gen. Wood, IN
command Of the province Of Santiago. not
to make expenditures for public purposes
in excess Of $4,000 month without first
submitting the question to the military
governor. Gen Brooke said that Gen.
Wood ignored that order and had gone on
spending public money without authority
from the military governor.
Mr.. Morrison, a lawyer Of New York.
testified that he was interested in a Havana
con pany which received contracts for dis
injecting the city. He said that there is
still due to his company $500. and that
Cuban officials in Havana swear the money
was paid to Gen. Wood to discharge the
Indebtedness. Mr.. Morrison said he be-
heves that Gen. Wood received that money.