The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1912-03-01
LOCAL END TO
|. ARMT. SCANDAL
Ray Case Takes Sudden Turn
Woman Involved-An Con-
cerned Known Here.

INFORMATION reaching mere yesterday
indicates that the probe congress is
plunging into the case of Paymastcr,
Major Beeeher B. Ray is going to drag
to hight some sensational details, in
which woman formerly well known to
army circles here, her husband and the
major are all involved
The charges contained in the mysteri-
0usiy missing papers which were sup
pressed by President Taft, at the time
of the FIRST investigation have come to
light and have been read into the rec
ora of the proceedings of the present
inquiry in Washington. 1t now becomes
known that the President acted as he
, did through consideration for tho good
name Of the woman in the case, the
wife Of an army official, connected with
the pay department, and former resi-.
dent of this city.
This letter charges that Major Ray,
when stationed in Honolulu, formed an
illicit relationship with the wife of one
: of his subordinates and maintained that
relation for some time. The discovery
by the husband came In San Francisco
when the major was stationed there and
was living at the Hotel Manx, in that
city. The husband later wrote to the
paymaster general, detailing his discov-
cries, and asking for a transfer. GEN.
eral Whipple answered to the effect that
in view of all the circumstances con-
.nectei with the case it was impossible
for him to act on the letter, but that
if the writer would file a formal ap.
phcation for change of station Civ
ing other reasons which might come an
der the pay clerk IS regulations the
change asked Tor might be ''favorably
considered"
4 Names withheld.
In view of the fact that the writer
demanded "absolute secrecy on all
the matters revealed in the letter to the
paymaster general, the names of all
the parties concerned save that of Maj
or Ray was read into the record of the
Washington investigation as Mr.. and
Mrs. Bank. Mr.. Blank stated that he
felt himself at fault for allowing his
wife to 'see so much of the major,
but trusted her so implicitly that be-
heved she could do no wrong.' He
says, that he warned her several times
against the appearance of evil, but that
Major Ray took advantage of her youth.
" Later, in another letter to General
~ hipple, Mr.. Blank stated that as
! Sthere would be no repetition, Z"
! he, had decided that it would be best
| to allow the first letter to be forgot
ten, and he had decided to forgive his
wife and the major. 'I think it best
(, to allow. everything to remain as it is
| for the present at least he concluded
4 eo,StilI another letter declared that the
writer had withheld much of the detail
he might have furnished, in the first,
Ftfor fear of disgusting everyone" He
winds up this letter by saying: 50 j con-
slider Major Ray dangerous man, who
would not hesitate to do his best
friend an irreparable injury to further
his own interests or pleasure
7 After the receipt of the second state
mept at the war department a repri-
mand of Major Ray was ordered. The
reprimand, dated September 3, 1910,
was sent to Ray at Atlanta, and read:
. "Sir: 1 am directed by the chief
of staff of the Army to inform you
that imputations against you have been
made to the paymaster-general in the
form of reports alleging illicit rela
4 tions between you and Mrs. Blank
wife of Mr.. Blank.
".These reports are of such gravity
as to call in question your character
as an officer and a gentleman, for, il
the allegations be true, your conduct
shall be characterized as reprehensible
and deserving of the severest condem
nation.
"Should you desire to take steps tc
clear your record of these imputationt
you win be afforded every proper facil
ity to that end within my power.
i "In the absence, however, of sucl
effort for vindication it is my duty tc
admonish you as to the future while
under my command, that any miscon
duct as an officer on your part will
not be treated with impunity.
Acknowledgment in writing of the
receipt of this communication is de
Isirod Very respectfully,
i "a. L. MILLS,
"Brigadier- General U. 8. A., Com
handing" s-