The Washington times., 1912-08-14
HOUSE COMMITTEE
GETS ON TRAIL OF
MAJOR RAY PAPERS
Stimson, Criticised for Pro-
tecting Woman in Case
Rebukes Investigators.

Charges against Major Beecher B.
today before the House committee
on expenditures In the War De-
partment, and the committee was
again disappointed in its search
for the missing papers alleged
to show that Major Ray was guilty of
improper conduct with the wife of a
subordinate clerk, and that he escaped
court-martial.
Secretary of War Stimson testified be-
fore the committee, and he character
ized as highly Irregular the action Of
Maj Gen. Franklin Bell and Brig. Gen.
Clarence Edwards in handling the Ray
papers in an individual rather than an
what disciplinary action have you
taken In view of this?' asked Con-
gressman Martin, member of the
"I am waiting for your committee to
make report" said the Secretary.
Promotion Held Up.
Secretary stimson also told the COM
mittee that the promotion of Major Ray
ing the committee report. Paymaster
Ray is eligible for promotion to colonel
unless good reasons are lodged against
the promotion.
missing papers, which are supposed to be
in the custody of Major General Bell, in
Manila. Judge Advocate General Crow
der could furnish the committee today
Of the pepers. General Crowder said he
did not understand that committee had
told him to cable for the papers.
Scandal Involved.
Secretary stimson criticised the COM
mittee because newspaper reports Of its
investigation sought to air a scandal
In the War Department. Congressman
Buckley, of Ohio, retorted that the
mittee had been denied the papers
in the Ray case on the excuse that a
woman was involved. but had been sup
piled letters involving the moral con-
duct of the daughter Of civil war
hero: g.,
the department" said Mr.. Bulkley.
The committee protected her and II
there is anything more scandalous in
the the, War sas Department LS things are in
Secretary stimson spared continu-
ally with members Of the committee
and resisted efforts to pin him down
high authority had held back the
Ray record. The, Secretary denied the
right Of the committee to get through
ai% at papers resep of "a p nature which
did 1t occur to you the resolution
Of Congress was addressed to the Sec
retary Of War, not Henry L. Stimson?'
he asked.
Rebukes Committee.
Mr.. Stimson rebuked the committee
for giving publicity to the alleged reia-
tions between Major Ray and the wife
of a subordinate. Mr.. Bulkley wanted
to know what action the Secretary had
through through political III 'iaRs influence.
II am waiting for your report, gen.
tlemen," SPARED the Secretary.
do you want this committee to give
you instructions how to keep your files
ana run your Department." asked Chair
man Helm. rather impatiently;
Il believe there should exist in the
relations Of the houses Of Congress and
the executive departments comfy
for the best interests OF the whole Gov
Mr.. Bulkley said he would like to have
the Secretary understand the committee
was not trying charges against Major
Ray-that the majors case was but an
incident. but that the committee was
Investigating the entire department.
Congressman Martin said the thing tc
be learned was whether the department
had acted on .s.nn hnt from ron son someo9dS
court-martial. The Secretary said
nothing had developed to justify dis
ciplinary action"
THE hint might have come from
some one whom you could not dis.
cipline," said Mr.. Martin.
Committee Is Vexed.
Committee members today plainly
showed vexation that the Ray papers
have not been furnished. Both Genera
Crowder and the Secretary seem not tc
have understood the committee If /,
expressed n desire that cables be sent
to the Philippines to ascertain what
General Bell knows about the papers
The committee Is also investigating
the political activity Of Major Ray ir
the 1908 campaign. 1t is alleged that hi
vas active in rounding up the labor
vete In Chicago for the Republican
ticket. Serious charges were later made
against the paymaster, but he escaped
court-martial and the House committed
wants to know why.
Meanwhile the search for 1.-The papers
continues.