The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-02-22
SECRETARY FINDS
THE PAPERS WANTED
Documents in the Case of
Major Beecher B. Ray in
Hands of Committee.
PAYMASTER UNDER FIRE
Records So Far Printed Fail 10
Disclose Anything of Start
ling Nature,
PAYMASTER UNDER FIRE

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2i.-Some Of the
documents in the case OF Major Beecher
E, Ray, which were said to be missing
from the war department files, were
turned up today and sent 20 the Helm
committee by Secretary Stimson, who
said the papers had been found in some
personal effects OF j. Franklin Een, for
merly chief of staff.
The committee already had su'opocnaed
General Tssker II, Bliss, who was said
to have copies of the documents.
Major Ray, who is an army paymaster,
has been under fire before the commit
tee on charges OF political activities, par
ticulary about the time the Chicago con-
veution OF 1908 nominated President Taft.
The records show that Major Ray, when
under investigation In the Philippines
OH charges OF signing false certificate,
used a character recommendation from
Mr.. Taft. then prcsident-clect; that on
another occasion Ray was ordered to the
Philippines at his own expense By Pres-
dent Roosevelt and that later be was Or
dered back to the United States at his
own expense by General Bell, who cablcd
that the order was "by direction" BY
whose direction is not disclosed in the
record, and the committee considers CALL
ing General Bell.
After Ray had been on leave rom the
Philippines before tho convention OF 1903,
General Bell ordered him hack to the
islands. and wrote General Funston at
San Francisco that President Roosevelt
had directed him (GenoraI Bcl) to au-
tf,orize Ray to sail on Pacific liner.
Plan Was Changed.
The record indicates that something
changed the plan and that Ray had ap-
piled for an extension Of leave.
Soon after Ray returned to the Philip
pines charges against him resulted in no
court martial The following interchange
OF messages Is shown. In the papers
turned over TO the committee:
70 Washington, D. c., Dec, IL. 1903
Bliss. Msnila--Wil send Monday conf
Dental message. Please decipher per-
sonally, BELL"
washington, d. c.. Dec. 81. 1905
Bliss. Manila-Personal and confidential
II possible please meet requirements Of
discipline in Beecher r. Ray case with
out reference TO court or war department
The following evidently was a reply:
Manila Jan .. 1909.
staff war. Washington:. Referring to
your personal and confidential telegram
OF December 81, have no doubt mat
ter Will be adjusted satisfactorily as sug-
gested hy you. To prevent further en-
barrassment, T shall in due time recon-
mend transfer from the division OF Off
Ger conccrned.-Bllss."
On January IS. 1909 General Bliss ca
bled to General Bell further stating that
Major Ray was under orders and about
to sail to Honolulu.
Charges Against Ray.
"Paymaster general charges Beecher r.
Ray knowingly signed false vouchers" the
cablegram read In part.
Recommends appropriate action. Judge
advocate general recommends disciplinary
measures as be deemed best Beecher B
Ray under orders to proceed to Honolulu
About to sail commercial liner January IS
at his own expense. Orders war depart
ment referred To necessitate another in
vestieatiop probable trial. general court
martial Will retain ReAcher B. Rsy ac-
corning"
General Bell answered the cablccram
the same day. stating: Send to NE per
sonally papers relating to three cases
mentioned In your telegram. Further in
vesGgation unnecessary at present |
Beecher p, Ray to proceed TO Honolulu
pursuant to orders
This communication it appears from the i
disclosed correspondence did not reach |
General Bliss for some days and on jan
uary 20, General Bell sent the cablegram |
II which he referred TO direction in |
the case from some source.
The cablcgram follows:
washington. Jan, 90, 1909
Colonel Stephen c, Mills. Manila: II
Tasker II. Bliss absent, communicate i'm
mediately with him and say my cable
gram to him, January II, relating to In
vestigation and papers in the case OF
Beecber &. Rag was not personal but
was sent by direction and II II has not
been complied with II should be done at
once. BELL
AT- n =