Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-07
REEVES AGAIN. HEARD
Resumption of the Brownsville
Investigation.
CLEANING AN ARMY RIFLE
Time Required Regarded as an I'm
portant Question.
CORPORAL ROLAND TESTIFIES
Examined at Length Concerning the
Accounting for Ammunition
of the Soldiers.
CORPORAL ROLAND TESTIFIES

Sergeant Jerry E. Reeves of Company
D, 18th Infantry, was the first witness to-
day before the Senate committee on mill
tary affairs when the investigation into
the Brownsville affray of August 10 was
resumed at the Capitol.
The interest of senators in the proceed
ings was but little abated, judging from
the number present. There were present
beside Senator Warren, the chairman.
Senators Scott. Foraker, Lodge, Buckley,
Blackburn, Taliaferro, Pettus, Overman,
Warner and Foster.
Senator Warner cross-examined the wit
ness on his testimony given yesterday aft
ernoon, and other senator's asked him
questions. Senator Warner directed his
cross-examination upon opening the ses-
sion toward the length Of time' taken in
cleaning a gun in order to fit 1t to pass
rigid inspection. Major Blocksom has
stated that gun could be cleaned for in
spection in a few minutes, but all wit
nesses thus far examined have insisted
that a longer time is necessary. No one
Of them has said the cleaning could be
done in less than ten minutes, and Ser
geant Reeves today declared that from
twenty minutes to half an hour is neces-
sary. 1t could not be done in less than
fifteen minutes. and light would be nee
essary to properly do the work, as the
cleaner would have to see the condition
Of the gun.
Importance Of the Testimony.
This testimony is regarded by the sena tors
as important as upon the fact of time and
conditions for cleaning the guns will de-
pend the ability of the men to have shot up
the town and then have put the guns in
order for inspection the next morning. Tes-
timony thus far taken has shown that there
was no light that could be used for clean
ing a gun except from daylight on the
14th until call for drill. The sun rose on
the 14th at Brownsville at $751; and the pre-
ponderanee of testimony has been that the
call for drill was given about or 6:15
O clock.
Reeves was also questioned as to the DOS
sibility of men Joining the company after
they were drawn up along the stone wall
Of the fort when the roll was called. He
said he was in a position to see, but 1t was
possible some one may have Joined the
company without being seen by him.
BY Senator Taliaferro: Are you a MEM
Der of any secret or social organization In
your company"
BY Senator Foraker: Have you any
knowledge Of an agreement not to say any
thing to any one about this matter?"
you have been ready to tell all you
know about this matter?''
YES SIR"
A question by Mr.. Foraker brought out a
Foraker replied, II want to get the TRUTH
mo one objects to your getting the
truth" retorted Mr.. Warner
The witness said the men discussed the
refusal of the saloons to permit the col
| ored soldiers to come in the front door and
drink at the bar. He said the men In dis
| cussing the incident said they would not
| have any trouble, but would just boycott
| the saloons. They said II the saloon men
| did not want their money 1t was not neces-
sary to break up the saloons; that & wa