The Washington times., 1909-08-25
No Permission Granted Yet
To Exhume Body of
Lieutenant.
REFUSES TO TALK
OF LATEST MOVE
War Department Officials Declare
No Action Has Been Taken
On Request.

Permission to opeh the grave Of Lieut.
James n. Sutton in Arlington National
Cemetery. for the purpose Of perform
ing a thorough autopsy, has not been
granted by the War Department and
no action within a week is likely to
be taken on 1.-The application for exhum-
ing the body
Officials at the War Department this
morning characterized the announce
ment that all arrangements had been
completed for opening the grave as
premature, and declared the matter had
not yet been taken under consideration.
Mrs. Sutton was told, It is understood.
that there probably would be no OBJ
lection to such a course, as permission
was frequently granted for opening
graves when there was good reason for
so doing. ii was this statement. Off
cials believe, that she may have con-
strued as meaning that she could re-
move the body at any time
Not Sure Now.
81 thought / had permission. bat I am
not sure now" said Mrs Sutton this
morning. Beyond this statement she
refused to discuss the latest move in
her campaign 10 prove her son did not
commit suicide.
Mrs. Sutton declares she is still con-
WINGED that the young lieutenant was
naltreated before his death. The prim-
airy fact she hopes 10 establish by the
autopsy she says, is TO prove that his
rghI arm, in which lt was said that he
held the revolver with which he shot
himself was broken before the shot
was fired
In the result of this examination lies
Mis-. Sutton's last hone She believes
ina ion "a rTf1
sufficient evidence TO justify her lawyers
IN opening the question Of how her son
met his death in the civil courts or de
mand hearing before Congress.
Much Encouraged.
Mrs Sutton is greatly encouraged by
the permission given by the cardinal to
have her son buried in consecrated
ground This, she declares, is tangible
evidence that others as well as she be-
lieve some doubt surrounds the manner
that the young lieutenant met his death
II permission is granted TO remove the
body II probably viii be inferred in the
same grave, and that by a Catholic
clergyman. There is no separate bury
ing ground for the cOnsecrated graves
Of Catholics at Arlington, and the graves
Of those who are buried there are conse-
Grated singly.
While Mrs. sutton talked freely this
morning of the plans 10 continue the
night Tor her son s good name she posi-
lively declined to discuss the proposed
removal of the body.
Daughter Surprised.
Her daughter. Mrs. Parker. who. it
is understood. took an active part in
asking permission Of the War Depart
ment FOR the proposed autopsy, seemed
surprised when told that the War De
partment officials denied that such per-
mission had been granted.
What made you think permission for
the removal had been granted" Mrs.
Parker was asked.
We don't think. we go on facts" Mrs.
Parker replied.
Then you have permission for the
autopsy, she was asked again.
That I cannot say / do not know
what will be done. II the War DEPART
ment officials say permission has not
yet been given, they should know. I
40 want 10 say however, that no state
ment has been made by either of us re-
garding our plans for the autopsy, and
neither Of US has made the statement
that permission has been granted.
Request Pending.
Mrs. Sutton's request for the exam
ination is pending IN the quartermas-
Ter generals office The fact that the
Quartermagter general Is out Of town
and viii not be back for several days,
makes il more probable that there will
be delay IN considering the request
Captain Humphrey, who is ia direct
charge Of national cemeteries, said thai
as far as ne knew no objection had been
made TO Mrs. SuttOm's request
''As far as ] know there is no reason
whatever why the body should not be
removed. But Of course. ] can not
allow ~ TO be done until the quarter
master general orders IT, Such requests
are always considered carefully before
we allow the graves 20 be opened and
no exception VIII be made Of this one"
The request for the removal OF the
body. ii is understood comes from her
personally. Her attorney, Henry =
Davis. is cut OF town. When asked this
morning who was her legal representa-
tive. she declared Mr.. Davis stiU had
charge Of her affairs, and she did not
feel the need Of one until he returned