The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-19
RIFLES USED IN
RIOT ARE FOUND
In order to secure statement from
him concerning the story.
Were TWentv-Fifth Rifles.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

WASHINGTON, March 1s.-Reports
OF experts OF the Ordinance Depart
thirty three discharged shells picked
up in the streets OF Brownsville on
the morning following the ARRAY were
laid before the Senate Committee on
who examined the shells at the SPRING
field arsenal under glass and micro
scope. The conclusion of the War De-
partment, expressed in a letter to
Chairman Warren from Secretary Taft,
which was. presented by Lieutenant
Hawkins, Of the Ordnance Department,
IS that the shells were discharged
from Springfield rifles. which were in
tho hands of members. OF Company B.
the Twenty fifth Infantry.
Secretary Taft's letter says the shells
We're examined by Lieutenant Hawkins
and G. A. spooner, expert Inspector
Of muskets at the Springfield arsenal l.
All the rflos in the possession Of the
three companies Of the Twenty fifth
Infantry. on August 18th were in the
hands Of those experts and two regu-
from each rife and tho discharged
shells subjected to full examination.
Knew Who Had the Guns.
Secretary Taft stated further that
from an official list OF Companies b,
Q and D and the number OF guns as
signed to them on August 18th 1t APP
which eight of these shells were dis
charged, and one from which eleven
OF the shells were Discharged were
guns In the storehouse of Company B
which had mot been issued to enlisted
men, but we're in. charge Of the 'e QUAR- arr
termaster- sergeant, and that the third
gun, from which eleven OF the shells
T were discharged was assigned to
! ona 1T, Taylor l q private Of Company
three shells We're discharged. was a
gun assigned to Joseph T.. Wilson, q
private OF Company d. Concerning
thiu evidence tho. secretary says:
hypothesis that the men who did the
shooting used such guns as they could
get on the night Of. August 18th. and
would not necessarily have used tho
this evidence weighty in showing
rather that some members Of the batta-
ion did 1T. than mat the individuals
above named were guilty"
Can Clean Rifle in Five Minutes,
| ), The final report of Lieutenant Has
SInS shows rmo% that hat the cartridge shells
sixth Infantry which preceded the
negro soldiers at Brownsville had ne
marks which identified them with tn,
shells under examination. The lieu
tenant also examined the question al
to. the marks OF the grooves and lands
which would be made In the bullets
discharged from the guns o rthe TWEEN
ty-nlth infantry, and he has samples
OF two bullets discharged into saw
| dust or water from each gun of tn,
three companies Of the Twenty -fiftl
Infantry. The bullets discharged b,
Lieutenant Hawkins from all of TIN
rifles OF the Twenty-hfth Infantry, &C
cording to the report. had the impress
sion of the lands of the rinlpg quit
as plainly marked az the bullets takel
from the Brownsville houses. Regard
ing this, Secretary Taft's letter saws
lieutenant Hawkins has advise,
me that in his Judgment reasonabl
time for cleaning gun is from tire
TO ive minutes as. shown by the eX
and I have directed the foreman O
the. gun cleaning squad at the arsena
TO he present at the disposition of til