Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1905-03-01
WH|TEMAN'S
ALLEGATIONS
Colonel West Is Not in Santa
Fe to Investigate This
Matter.
DENIED BY GOVERNOR
The Territorial Executive Says All the
Charges Filled by Ex.Adjutant
General Whiteman Are False.

The Albuquerque Journal yesterday
published a two column story, under
flaming head lines, giving the sub
stance of what are purported to be
serious sworn charges made by ex-
Adjutant General w. H Whiteman
against Governor Otero, accusing the
Governor of having misappropriated
government property, such as ord
nance and quartermaster stores, and
clothing, camp and garrison equipage
furnished by the United States, for the
use of and maintenance of the National
Guard of New Mexico, to his own use
and that of his friends. The paper
also asserted that Colonel Frank West,
inspector general of the Southwestern
Division with headquarters at Okla
homa City, was in Santa Fe investigat-
ing these charges. AS usual the Jour-
nal is either maliciously and intention
ally or ignorantly incorrect and un-
true in most of the statements con-
tanned in the article. Indeed, the only
point which is fact is that White
man has filed these sworn charges.
Colonel West is in Santa Fe, not to in
vestigate them, but simply to check
up and inspect the arms, ammunition.
ordnance stores, quartermaster stores
and other articles furnished the Ter
ritory for it's National Guard by the
War Department. He is not here in
any manner to investigate the White
man charges, of which the Governor
was furnished copies sometime since
by the Secretary of War AS far as
they are malicious, in some cases mis-
representations of facts and false
hoods in others. The Governor would
not at all object to an investigation by
the War Department, should the Sec
retary deem such a one necessary and
has been ordered Every matter con-
tanned in Whiteman's affidavit is abb
solutely and unequivocally denied by
Governor Otero.
The ex-adjutant general is absent
from the Territory and it seems that
der to enable Colonel West to make an
inventory of the government property
in possession of the Territory for the
use of the National Guard Colonel
West cannot proceed until the ex-adju-
tant general comes and furnishes in
concerning the whereabouts
of this government property, which.
under the law, was in his charge and
for which he is still responsible.
Whiteman gave bond for the faithful
performance of duty and for the safe
keeping and proper accounting of all
'unds and of all public property which
zane into his hands while adjutant
general and this bond is for $1,000. 1t
s signed by II. B. Catron and e. A.
7iske of this city and Thomas Hughes
If Albuquerque. If the public property
which was in Whiteman's charge, can
lot be found, or if 1t is short, after
Colonel West takes his inventory OF
t and verif1es the inventory by an In
;pection of property and of company
returns, suit upon the bond
will be brought by the Territory for
he recovery of any and all shortages
hat may be found.
Instead of doing harm or injury to
he Governor, it looks now as if the ex-
ldjutant general will fall into the pit
lie has dug for Governor Otero, as 1t is
more than probable that thorough in
pection of Whiteman's record will now
esult, which it Is believed, will not
how him up in very creditable light