New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-13
RED CROSS HEARING.
Books To Be EramiRed-Better
Feeling PreUdilS.
FFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.l

Washington, April I2-Senator Proctor and tho
associate members OF the committee appointed to
investigate matters in the difference between the
majority and minority members of the American
National Red Cross held a protracted hearing in
the committee room OF tho Senate Committee on
Military Affairs to-day.
Representatives of the regular organization and
OF the remonstrants were present, and heard
in support Of the respective contentious. The re-
monstrants reiterated their charges of maladInin-
istration but disavowed all charges Of malicious
malfeasance.
Tho committee adjourned this evening after hav-
ing arranged examine tho books and papers
of the organization Thursday next. For this
animation the committee viii employ its own eX
perts attorneys for neither Fido will DO present
At the close Of to-day's meeting members OF
the committee declared that some MISUNDERSTANDING
ings had been cleared up. and that better feeling
prevailed than at any time since the final break
between the majority and the minority. The COM
mittee confident that It will be able to bring
order out Of chaos that reorganization Of the So
ciety along business lines can be effected in the
near future, and scale commensurate with
the dignity and Importance of the society. and this
without injustice indgnity to either party to the
existing contention.
The hearing was presided over by Senator Proc
tor and the other members Representative WILL
lam Alden Smith and General +. c. Ainsworth
were present. Both factions were represented by
attorneys The Barton faction opposed the request
that the books be examined by expert account
ant, and asked that If the books were to be gone
into at all It be by the committee, and in the pres
ence OF Miss Barton and counsel for her support
ers Tho remonstrants were little better satisfied
with the suggestion that accountant be en-
ployed TO look into the books They demanded that
the committee personally act the examiners. Mr.
Smith and Mr.. Proctor. for the committee de-
clared that they could not constitute themselves
smelling committee and Mr.. Smith said that he
should not take part in any investigation which
had as its purpose the holding of some persons
to scorn because OF some little negligence in some
detail OF a great charitable work. but that If the
investigation TO reunite the two factions into
a stronger and more effectual Red Cross he would
engage in the work gladly.
General Ainsworth took the ground that the
books could be explained to an impartial account
to the full committee When objection made
to this plan by Mr.. Herbert former Secretary of
the Navy General Ainsworth asked Mr.. Herbert
whether it was his Idea that the investigation
should be undertaken with the primary object Of
harrnonizinE the factions or with the object OF
ascertaining and reporting the true facts In regard
To tbe dispute Mr. Herbert thought that the facts
should be ascertained nTst ana then II the diHer
ences were not too great, the Iacu9hs might Dc
harmonized, but in regard to this latter ne ex-
Mr.. smith suggested that the purpose of the
committee should not be otaer than to correct
the IauilS aIsa se q, favor Of the adonton of i'm
keeping re SPOKE III IN ana barnonv he
fvyeen the two factions, aided by more blood and
~ blood The suggestion OF blood taken
IN nv Mr. Herbert. the proper solution or the
problem He said that without new blood and a
great deal t 81 r Red tne cToss
Mr. Smith asked many quesuons OF T. T a sep Pe
hins attorney for the respondents ana LelBh ROD
inson attorney for the remonstrants concerning
charges against officials 8b me Sn1 drect
cd also to Mrs. Herbert. Miss Mabel Boardman
- Vas stated that msfeasance was not charged
though maiadministration CHARGED A number
the Galveston flood fund, were cited