Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1912-02-12
TO BE GIVEN NO FAVORs
EXECUTIVE REQUESTED THAT
PAYMAsTER BE TREATED AS
ANY OTHER OFFICER
SAID HE ASSUMED TOO MUCH
WHILE nIseRAcED MAN HAD AID
ED HIM POLITICALLY NO oRLI.
CATION EXISTED

Washington, Feb. 12.-The alleged
political influence of Major Beecher
b. Ray, the army paymaster declared
to have enjoyed frequent changes OF
station and immunity from troubles
because of the influence of President
Taft, again was a subject of inyesti-
cation today before the house commit
tee on expenditures in the war depart.
ment.
Paymaster General Whipple testi.
fed that Major Ray had established a
record for frequent changes in station
In 13 years he had been successfully
stationed at 1S points, whereas the
average assignment of paymaster at
any station is between three and. four
years. Chairman Helm asked General
Whipple if any of the assignments had
chen made at the direction OF Presi-
dent Taft.
YES" he answered. 'Tn 1909 the
president asked that Major Ray be
sent to Atlanta and in November. 1911
that he be sent to New York"
AT whose request was it that Major
Ray was sent 10 Chicago from Attain
ta. rather than to New York?''
Il got orders from the chief OF
stairs office to make the change to
Chicago. The chief of stan said that
Mrs. Ray was i'll and surgical oper-
alton was to be performed in Chicago.
General Carter said this change was
made at the request of the White
House."
One of the letters of President
Taft to Paymaster General Whipple,
put in evidence in the case and made
public today, follows:
Beverly, July 5. 1910. personal
and confidentiaD.
Dear General Whipple: l have
read the letter of regarding
Poymaster Ray, which you have
shown me before in times past. had
had personal interest in the welfare
If Major Ray. l have no relations
with Major Ray that prevent my di-
'ecting you to take the same disciplin-
ary action in respect to him as in the
Ease of any of your subrodniates.
1T seems to me that it would be
wise to send General Darlington or
.rusted assistant to inspect Rays &C.
and those of his clerks as well
rs the charges makes that If
1he facts turn out to be as -
states, to separate from Ray
1T once.
while Rays conduct, if --s
charges are true, could subject him
% tine severest condemnation, there
seems, from --'s language and
,elegram to be such a conformation by
him and his wife that it would be well
% avert the demoralizing scandal for
he army involved in the court mar
ial proceedings, which would place q.
stigma ON --- and Mrs.
which they would never recover from.
Ray could be told that his superiors
Knew his fault and have provided
against it, and in the interest of his
rictimS and the army it was deemed
pest not to present it to the board
IN the condition that he avoid such
conduct in the future.
These suggestion are on the as
that 's charges are
rue and that General Darlington
Knows them to be so. I do not favor
court martial proceedings in such
eases where there is conformation. in or
der to prevent scandal. The army
suffers, the parties suffer and only the
prurient readers of such trials re-
ceive any advantage. The discipline
involved does not outweigh in its
benefit for the army the injuries to
the prestige of the army and the de-
it causes.
You can show this letter to Cen