Evening star., 1909-04-15
QUARTERS ARE FOUND
Brownsville Court Of Inquiry
Soon Will Sit.
COURSE OF PROCEDURE
Will Undertake Thorough Investiga-
tion Of Original Disturbance.
MAY HAVE TO GO TO TEXAS
Heavy Expenses Will Be Incurred
for Witnesses and Travel-Gen.
Doggett for Defense.
MAY HAVE TO GO TO TEXAS

Slowly. but s,frely, the Brownsville court
of inquiry is making its preparations to
investigate the alleged participation OF
the 25th Infantry in the shooting up"
Of Brownsville. Tex. in August, 1906
Delay in beginning the inquiry was
mainly due to the difficulty in securing
suitable quarters. Several days were oc-
cuped by Lieut.. Gen. Young, president
Of the court: Capt. Howland, recorder of
the court. and Maj. Zalinski, depot quar-
termaster, in the inspection OF various
buildings suggested for the purpose.
The Jefferson Davis building, at 18th
and G streets, occupied partly by the
militia division OF the War Department.
was offered to the court. but was rejected
as not sufficiently spacious Other public
buildings were examined, but none met
the requirements Of the court.
Mai. Zalinski has rented the large three
story brick dwelling house at 1903 New
York avenue for the purposes Of the
court It is an old building and has not
been occupied for some time.
| Various repairs and alterations will be
required to fix 1t up to meet the wishes
of the members of the court. 1t Will be
painted and furnished with tables. desks,
chairs and other conveniences.
| The preparations indicate that the In
| vestigation will last for several months
1t Is predicted that 1t will undoubtedly
consume the entire year to which the
law limits the inquiry.
May Meet This Month.
When the court will meet Is still un-
settled. Gen. Young says he will call
the members together rs soon as the
quarters are ready,
1t is promised that the building will
be ready in about two weeks. In that
event the opening session will be held
during the last week OF this month or
the first week Of May.
All other preHminaries are being ar
ranged. It Is expected that the court
will soon be able to proceed with its
business without further delay.
cation will cost considerable money OUT
side of the salaries of the officers Of
the court. Gen. Young has had several
conferences with Judge Advocate General
to the matter. and tentative course OF
upon.
The principal point established is that
the court viii make complete and
thorough investigation Of the raid at
Brownsville In order to determine whether
or not 1t was committed by members OF
the 2ath Infantry or by other individuals
u 10 understood that the court will go
and examine everybody able to throw
any light on the niuch-disputed Question
as to what individuals committed the
To do this it will probably be necessary
for the court to visit Fort Brown and hold
sessions In Brownsville. Many material
witnesses are located there.
Individual Cases to Be Heard.
After having established the main facts
| regarding the raid, the court will then
probably consider the cases of all those
members of the 25th Infantry who were
| discharged for alleged complicity in the
ARRAY and who now desire to re-enlist In
| the army under the terms Of the Foraker
act providing for the military investisa-
tion OF their cases. There are about 15O
men affected by the legislation.
It is expected that many Of them will
desire to take advantage OF the provisions
of the act All reported by the court as
qualified will receive back pay and allaW-
a,na anees !, and a. DO restored to their former
To receive these benefits it will be nee
essArE. however. for them to prove their
entire innocence of the midnight raid and
From all accounts there were less than
a dozen or fifteen members in the raiding
| party.
1t is said at the War Department that
ths l statute l,,i, OF limitation runs against the
| government Is concerned. All the dis
charged soldiers are now exempt from
military laws and discipline and do not
have to appear before the court unless
| they choose to do SO.
Consequently only those confident Of
| their ability to show a clean record are
likely to appeal to the court fer re-enlist-
| ment.
Heavy Travelling Bills.
It is admitted that the army court has
no power to compel the attendance Of
witnesses who do not wish to testify, and
that 1t will have to defray the expenses
of witnesses summoned by 1t. AS these
Witnesses are scattered all over tho coun.
try their bills for travelling expenses will
| undoubtedly prove a considerable item.
The War Department will give the court
| every facility and assistance in the prose-
cution Of the inquiry. 1t will undoubt-
ediy be necessary to hire force of coma
petent stenographers.
Capt. Rowland will represent the War
Department in the matter, and will lock
1 out for the interests of the government.
When necessary he will consult with