New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-08
MAY PUBLISH LETTERS
URGED BY MRS. SUTTON.
Wants Them Read in Open Hearing
Monday-A Fake Publication.

Annapolis. Aug. THE naval board Of inquiry
investigating the death OF Lieutenant James n
sutton OF hte marine corps held a two-hour ses-
sion behind closed doors to-day and then adjourned
uhuA monday when IT was announced the hear
ing VIII again be thrown open TO the public
The secret session to-day was for the purpose NJ
examining Mrs. Sutton. mother OF Lieutenant SUIT
ton In connection with several letters about her
son . Death which she wrote TO Colonel Charles A
DOyeh' senior officer OF the marine corps al the
Naval Academy, and Others and which the board
ruied yesterday should be admitted In evidence
Out should not be read IN open court. Major Leon
aro' the Judge advocate, had not finished inter
rosating Mrs Sutton In regard TO the letters when
the adjournment vas taken to-day II was said
ana her own urgent request that the contents OF
the letters for the most part be made known at
that time not determined
Commander Hood, presiding officer of the hoard
enjoined all the interested parties to-day from dis
cussing the letters Of court. il is known how
ever. that they contain bitter and pointed allega-
lions against some Of the young officers OF the
marine corps who appearing defendants
In the case
Mrs. Sutton expressed her disappointment be-
cause OF the secret session when seen after court
to-day. She said that as long her letters We're
placed in evidence she had objection to having
them made public. Henry E Davis her counsel
made a strong fight 70 keep the letters from being
admitted when Major Leonard offered them in
evidence
There may be some startling declarations in the
letters" said Mrs. Sutton. but I am prepared to
repeat TO the world whatever 1 said and back up
my statements. do not want any secrecy about
this investigation"
Besides Mrs. Sutton. her daughter, Mrs Rose
Sutton Parker OF st. Paul. remains to be examined
witness Mrs. Parkers testimony promises
20 be somewhat sensational. She is expected TO
tell the results OF her personal investigation OF her
brothers death and relate pertinent conversations
with OF the young officers OF the marine
corps who stand before the court as accused
by her and her mother of completely IN the shoot
ing Of October lS 1907 when Lieutenant Sutton was
killed. or killed himself the former board OF In
quiry determined.
There may be other witnesses called before the
court completes its work. Mr.. Davis will up
the Suttons side of the case, exUnited States Dis
trict Attorney Birney, OF Washington. will have
something 10 say in behalf OF his client Leuten-
ant Robert F. Adams OF the marine corps. and
Major Leonard will make the final argument for
the government. The inquiry is expected to last
until the end OF next week.
When the board OF inquiry went into session be-
hind closed doors this morning all the interested
parties were admitted. but the public and the
press excluded.
The newspaper publication OF parts of letters
purportng 10 have been written ny Mrs. Sutton
led Commander Hood. president OF the board OF in
quiry, TO send out word from the courtroom that
the letters referred to in the publication had moth
ing 10 do with the case. Major Leonard said he
would examine Mrs. Sutton in regard TO each Of
the letters they read. II she acknowledged
that some OF her statements made In the letters
I were eKtrsvagant and had no foundation in fact
the court would drop the matter. II was said.
At the adjournment OF court, Mr. Davis counsel
for Mrs. Sutton. said the board had decided TO
resume open sessions Monday. Mrs. Sutton had
requested H. he said.
1t understood that Major Leonard had sim
ply read the letters IN evidence to-day and would
conduct Mrs. Sutton's examination IN regard to
them in open court.
Most OF the secret session to-day, ii said,
I u
/ with argument to expunge certain parts OF It, on
the tu6ge advocates motion, which pertained 20 the
charge Of bad faith the part Of Major Leonard
in Offering Mrs. Sutton's letters in evidence made
! by Mrs. Sutton's counsel. Mrs SuttOn's letters
/ read in short order and the adjournment
! followed.