The sun., 1907-03-14
TALKED OF CALLING TAFT
TO TESTIFY BEFORE SENATOR'S
ABOUT BROWNSVILLE.
More TIE stImOny Against the People OF the
shot IN TOwn-CaDt. Edgar Says They
Are Not LawabIClIn and He wouldn't
Allow His WIFE 10 Associate with Them.

Are Not Iawab IGlInH and Hc Wouldn't
Allow His VIE 10 Associate Win Them.
WASHINGTON, March is-The Senate
Committee on Military Affairs which is
investigating the Brownsville raid, had
lively discussion in executive session to-day
over the question of calling Secretary Taft
before the committee. The question was
brought up by Senator Foraker, who de-
clared that Secretary Taft had sent samples
VI cartridges and shells to the Ordnance
Department for expert examination and
explanation as to whether they had been
fred in certain types Of guns, what sort of
guns it would be possible TO fire them in,
and other information relative to their Use.
II was intimated that he was doing this
for the purpose Of sustaining the Presi-
dents contention that the bullets found
imbedded in houses in Brownsville had
been discharged from Springfield rifles,
the kind used by the soldiers at that fort,
and that the cartridges and clips alleged
to have been picked up in the streets tho
morning after the raid we're used in Spring
field rifles.
Senator Foraker from time TO time has
sought to bring out in the investigation
testimony to show that the cartridges used
in the army can be fired from Mauser rifles.
Other members Of the committee got the
idea that Mr.. Foraker resented the alleged
interference of Secretary Taft in the matter
and Senator Overman, a Democrat, charged.
and was supported by several other mem
hers OF the committee that what Mr..
Foraker said was an attempt to inject
the race question by making it appear
that the Secretary of War was adopting
measures TO maintain the Presidents po-
sition that the negro soldiers did the shoot
ing.
Senator Foraker disclamed any such in
tention and declared that his sole aim and
purpose were to get at the facts in the case.
II was not decided to call the Secretary Of
War. but il was agreed that Senator Foraker
should be permitted 10 bring before the
committee such information as he was
able to get regarding the examination OF
cartridges and shells by officers Of the
ordnance department.
Lieut.. Edwin p. Thompson Twenty
sixth Infantry was the first witness called
TODAY He was left in charge of property
at Fort Brown whe n the Twentv-siXtn IN
fantry was ordered away pending the
arrival of the Twenty-fifth companies.
He thought it was possible, although I'M
probable, that citizens might have procured
cartridges and clips from the piles OF rub
bish which accumulated about the garrison
during the moving process.
He knew that the soldiers sometimes
did leave their clothing behind. and said
that some of the discarded uniforms might
have been taken away by MeXicans. He
had heard of the threats against the colored
troops by the people OF Brownsville when
they learned that the white soldiers we're
to be replaced by colored men. Browns
vile policemen wore uniforms similar to
the khaki uniforms Of the sold iers.
Sergt. Rowland Osborn. post qua rter-
master. was recalled and said that in check
ing up property to turn over 10 the Tw enty
fifth infantry many shells. cartridges and
bandoliers in which cartridges are carried
were found lying around loose. He esti
mated also that the white soldiers left about
ten discarded uniforms.
Capt. Edgar, assistant surgeon at Fort
Brown for two years, testified that he praC-
t.ses in the town and there was general con-
dPmnation OF the sending Of colored troops
to Fort Brown. Or. Combes, the Mayor of
the town. who was formerly Major in the
volunteer service. had told him that he had
had some experience with ColOred troops,
that he had returned to this country from
Manila with part OF the Twenty-Ifrh and
that personally he had no objection to them,
but the people Of the town would not stand
for them.
Capt. Edgar, despite the fact that he en-
1Oyed a GOod pTaCtne IN tne Town, gave
the population generally ANYTHING hut
praise and volunteered several state
ments TO which Senator Warner took ex-
ception. Capt. Edgar did not think there
we're 900 Americans out of the entire
5000 population. lie mentioned the names
of a number he would not believe, among
them being several who had made state
ments regarding the shooting.
Generally the people were not law abiding,
he said, although DR.. Combes as Mayor
bad accomplished some reforms. There
was frequent shooting at night and the
policemen frequently attacked and beat the
soldiers when they found them slightly in
toxicated He told OF many instances
where he had been summoned to treat
soldiers who had been beaten up" by the
police. One soldier was shot in the thigh
by policeman.
Capt. Edgar took leave OF absence while
stationed at Fort Brown, and got married,
but" he added hastily, without being
interrogated upon the subject, Il would
not allow my wife TO associate with the
people down there"
Capt Edgar said he came from Pennsyl-
vania and preferred colored soldiers TO
white soldiers because their discipline was
better