The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-23
WOODS STRONG DEFENDER.
Secretary Root Assumes Respon-
sibility for Gen. Woods Acts.

Washington, dec. 1b.-Ine seHdte
committee on military affairs tonight
concluded it's investigations of charges
against Gen. Leonard Wood, filed for
the purpose of preventing his conhrma-
tion as major general. Secretary Root
was the only witness today. He was
on the stand for two and half hours
at the forenoon session and occupied
the attention of the committee tonight
from 9 O'Clock until 1923. The COM
mittee will meet tomorrow to prepare
it's report. It is understood that con-
frmation will be recommended by
a vote of 8 to 2. A minority report
will be made by the opposing members
of the committee.
The testimony of Secretary Root
is practically the only defense that has
been made Of Gen. Wood in the hear
ing which has extended since the be-
ginning of the extraordinary session
of congress This testimony, how
ever, covered the entire range OF the
evidence produced against Gen. Wood
and was supported in many instances
with correspondence and other data
taken from records at the war depart
ment covering the period of Gen.
Woods administration as governor
general of Cuba. Secretary Root
undertook to assume the whole re-
sponsibility for The orders issued by
General Wood affecting the judicial
system in Cuba and concerning the
concession granted to the Jai Alai
company at Habana. He justified the
| acceptance BY Gen. Wood of the pre-
sent of silver set from the Jai Alai
company.
At the forenoon session of the COM
mittee Secretary Root was given lati-
tude in telling his story of the affairs
in the island and refuting the charges
that had been made by number OF
witnesses, but at the evening session
questions were asked by Senator Teller
which confined the secretary to the
Runcie letter, the Jai Alai concession
and seniority as 2 means of recogniz-
ing military service. Many of the
questions were pointed and in some
cases severe upon Gen. Wood, but in
every case Gen. Wood found as warm
defender.
Secretary Root said the Jai Alai
| company was not gambling company,
nor was the game Pelota played under
the management of the company a
gambling game any more than was
horse race or game Of baseball Men
| could bet on the results as upon other
games of skill. He said that the con-
cession of right of the Jai Alai COM
| pany was granted before the American
| occupation and that the concession for
| which Gen. Wood has been criticised
was that of an addition to the build
ing of the company. The only question
in regard to this grant was whether or
not it would be contrary to the For
aker amendment. The whole matter
was referred to the war department by
Gen. Wood. The subject was consid-
cred first by Judge Magoon, law officer
of the bureau of insular affairs, who
after most careful review of the case
had held that the extension did not
come within the Foraker amendment
preventing the granting of franchises
in Cuba. The secretary said he re.
viewed Judge Magoon's opinion and
came to the same conclusion. The
committee received today a communl-
cation from Mai. Estes G. Rathbone
asking that he be called again to di-
rect attention to number of things
which he said the committee had
ignored. He asked that large num-
Der of witnesses be summoned.