The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-10-28
scream TRIES
To AID CASE OF
CAPT. FRENCH
SAYS FORAGE PAPERS WERE
ROUTINE DOCUMENTS AND
THAT ACCUSED OFFICER DIDN'T
SCAN THEM CLOSELY.

Col. George Chase. inspector-general
oil The department OF the lakes, at the
Courtmartial at Fort Wayne, Wednes.
day
Col. Chase was here last March and
II was the facts that he elicited which
formed the basis for the present court
The testimony given Wednesday morn.
Ing had to do with Col Chases con.
versation with Capt. French at tina.
time in which the latter said that the
horses In question had been purchased
by various officers for nominal sums
but that the real ownership still rest
ed with DR.. Burkart, In some manner
although the officers had their use.
When the prosecution finished with
Its witnesses Wednesday afternoon Il
developed that almost all the wit
hesses that the defense had put upon
its list had been called By the prose
cution. The trial will, therefore be fin
ished. In all probability by Saturday.
Col Cornman's trial will then begin
and may not take so long.
The lame OF still another officer
was brought into the case Wednesday
morning In the testimony OF Post
Ouartermaster Sergt Emilius Berg.
This officer is Lieut.. Samelson, who is
alleged TO have foragcd one of the
burkaft horses. Capt. McBrunn s
name was also mentioned bu the tes-
timony did not disclose whether he
really owned the horses mentioned or
not
Perg made an evident attempt to
clear his superior officer. Capt
French. lie took pains To- volunteer
the information that the forage
vouchers were routine papers drawn
up by himself In accordance with reg.
nlations and thar the quartermaster
had no occasion TO sean such docu-
ments closely.
Sergt. Berg told OF the coming OF
the first Burkart horse when Capt.
French was away on leave and OF the
question raised by Lieut. Franklin,
acting quartermaster. as 10 the rights
of contract surgeon to keep horse.
The horse was foraged. however, and
he was told, after Capt Frenchs re-
tnrn, that DR.. Burkart had sold the
horse 10 an officer. He reported TO
Capt French In regard to this horse
and another which had come later and
the captain said that he would find out
their status Later Capt French said:
Sergeant, it's all right about these
horses
The forage was dropped for the
horses according TO one government
form until October, when the horses
were removed to DIR. Burkart's new
stable, and then another form OF
voucher was used. II was understood
IN the Quartermaster's office that there
was some arrangement by which one
officer could maintain another,s horse
out OF the formers allowance fo-
horse keep and care.
No forage was ever supplied for
Lieut. Moore's account, the witness
said He never had any direct order
from Capt. French to isue forage to
DR.. Burkart, but understood that 1t
was correct to do so. DR.. Burkart
had objected to the insufficient guam
tity OF bedding and finally bought ex-
ira supplies at his own expense for
The horses.
Finally, at the time OF the court
of inquiry, Capt. French ordered that
no more forage be supplied for the
horses.
The court issued new order regard
ing its periods OF deliberations Ii Is the
custom to clear the courtroom OF all
except members of the court when any
point is to be decided and the gener-
ais found II quite q distance to walk
10 the door to notify the concourse OF
the reopening Of open sessions. So 1t
was decided that the termination OF
such closed sessions will hereafter be
marked by three raps with a sword on
!, the table, thus obviating the necessity
OF any ofncer's rising to go to the door.
While the high ofYicers of the court
are now appearing In dress uniform
instead Of full dress, all wear their SER
Vice decorations. These make quite q
showing. A red bar indicates Indian
campaigns, the red and blue indicates
Philippine service. and yellow and red
show that the wearer was In the Span
ish war; q dull gold bar means the Chi
nese campaign, while the most priced
of all "A q blue bar with stars, indl-
eating decoration for bravery In battle.
There IL Q lot Of inside history In
connection with the courtmartjs,.
which may or may not come out fully
in the trial. The present cases against
Capt. French and Col. Cornman rest on
matters that have to do with the deal
ings Of various officers with DR.. J. l..
Burkart, contract surgeon at the post.
II Is said that there Is considerable
professional jealousy mixed up in the
matter.
Trouble seems to have started short
ly after the coming OF Surgeon p. G.
Fields TO the post last year. Certain
differences arose. In time a court OF
Inquiry was called on charges that
Dr. Burkart was lending money at the
post 1t usurious rates, as the agent of
q private banker.
Thess charges did not stand, but the
forage scandal developed and this led
to the present courtmartial.
The onlcers concerned In the present
inquiry took part in the prosecution
l of Lent H r. Hazard, who was tried
here but whose trial was stayed by
orierss from higher sources in Wash
ington and who afterwards managed To
slip out of the service without further
trouble through the same high friend.
ships. The influence that was strong
enough TO save Hazard. whose mar
rage to Miss Masseth, OF Detroit. and
other escapades are still fresh in mind,
10 said to be aligned against certain of
~ onlCsrs Of the fort.