The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20
War of Long Standing Between
Maj. Beecher Ray and Col. H.
5. Wallace Stirs Manila
Petticoat Rivalry in Camps of
Officers CempIicates the
Acute Situation
One ConteSting Officer Taft'S S
Close Helper and Other ReEa=
tive of j. P. Morgan

NDERGROUND rumors that the
pay accounts Of Major Beecher
B. Ray, known as the "politi-
cal paymaster of the United
states army" are being examined
by Lieutenant Colonel WILDER X.
Wilder. inspector general of the
division staff at Manila, have stirred
into public notice feud that has
aroused the martial social set of the
Philippines. Prominent in the feud are
Major Ray, now stationed in Manila,
and 4ais. at present, superior officer.
Colonel Hamilton s Wallace.
Women Join Feud
With the gallant epaulettes are the
women of the respective camps, and
the officers Of the United States army
are again learning the force of the
axiom Of cantonments. In time of
peace prepare for war-of women"
Colonel Wallace is the nephew in law
Of J. Pierpont Morgan, which in itself
is valuable asset. But Major Ray is
not without his own little prestige. He
is battle SCARED hero Of the campaign
Of 1908, for he has Just rejoined the
army after an extended leave, during
which he conducted the Taft bureau"
in Chicago TO boost the cause of his
personal friend, William H Taft. Now
Taft is president elect This feud be-
tween one of his most valiant sup
porters and the husband OF a niece of
J. Pierpont Morgan is fraught with ex-
oeuent possibilities for excitement.
Major Ray Popular
Major Ray is popular with his brother
officers in the service. and at the Pre-
sidio it is anticipated that he viii be
cleared OF all suspicion by the inspector
generals report Should Lieutenant
colonel Wilder report unfavorably on
Rays case, however. the officer would
have 10 face a court martial on a
charge of irregularity in his pay ac-
counts
The allegations Of irregularities ap-
ply TO the accounts of Ray for the early
months Of the present year.
Ray Joined the United states army
in 1898. Prior TO that time he was
prominent politician and social fig
ure In Chicago and the state of Illinois.
lie had held the political berth of
secretary Of the railroad and ware
house commission Of Illinois had
worked his way up through various
grades Of railroad service and was a
popular member of several lodges and
He owns some valuable property in
Missouri
Charges Are Made
No sooner had Major Ray. after
election day, resumed his post at Ma
Mia than he was told Of the alIega-
tions Of irregularities in his pay ac-
counts From what source the allega-
lions enlanated has not been ANNOUNCED,
but at the mention of the charges
against Ray there came Immediately to
the attention Of the army the fact of
the existence Of the feud between Ray
and Colonel Wallace dissension of
several years standing.
Ray and Wallace entered the army
in 1898 Several years ago Ray was
the superior Of Wallace at an eastern
post. But Wallace had married niece
Of J. Pierpont Morgan and sinews of
war or something accelerated his ad-
vaDcemeat IN the service and he was
made a colonel over the heads Of senior
officers and ordered to Manila
HOstiIities Are Begun
Ray went to- the islands ABOUT the
same time. but as subordinate to
Wallace. Hostilities began at once
Wallace showed his authority by or
dering his former superior to an in
terror post in the jungle. far from the
gayeties OF Manila. Ray was social
leader ia Manila and rebelled. lie pre-
ferred 10 be a MARKS for social para
eraphers rather than for bolos. He
appealed with good effect to Governor
Leonard Wood. then commanding the
Philippine division OF the army, and
General Wood revoked the order. The
jungle lost a masterful social leader.
During this time there was a ru-
5nored contest on between Mrs. Wallace
and Mrs. Ray, who was Miss Fannie
Plant Of Boonville. No. The two women
had held high social positions in
washington and New York and in the
stress of Manila functions trod on each
others trains, in fguratiye way.
Charges and countercharges are said
D. have passed from the colonel TO the
major like fusillades from gatlings,
but tie colonel seems now to have
turned the majors danl5 apd is sweep |
ing the position with an enflading FIRE
that is distressing 10 the major The