The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-08-25
FAvOR|T|SM IS
BEING SHOWN
To MAJOR RAY
HOUSE COMMITTEE DESIRES
SOME EXPLANATION OF APP
PARENT FAILURE TO PROPER
LY DISCIPLINE OFFICIAL OFTEN
AccUsED-FIND THAT HE HAS
BEEN POLITICALLY ACTIVE.
BY Associated Prs.s

Washington, Aug. 24.-The house
committee Oh war department expen-
ditures today reported that Major
Beecher B. Ray. U. S. A, whom the
president yesterday nominated to be
deputy pay1nsster general of tho army
had been engaged in political activity
particularly III ths interest of Presi-
dent TAFT, haa been four times charged
with seriops soffenses, never vindicated
and never been disciplined more Sc
ve-ely than by reprinand.
Investigation of Major Rays case
attracted wide attention because of
the committees charges that Secretary
Stimson was Withholding important
papers bearing upon 1t. 1t is believed
the COMMITTEES report was FASTENED by
President Taft's nomination of Major
Ray for promotion yesterday. Ray is
in line for advancement under the law.
1t is said the president and Secretary
Stimson decided to send his nomina-
ton and leave it's confirmation to the
senate. That a fight will be made
there has been announced.
The committees finding in part fol-
lows:
Major Ray has been engaged in po-
litical activity in the interest Of the
Republican party and particularly in
the interest Of the president.
TN connection with one Of the
charges made against Major Ray,
court martial proceedings were stop
ped by a cablegram from the chief OF
staff without apparent reason.
THE papers in the case were with
held from the office of the adjutant
general, where they should have been
filed, and were stored away in a Sc
cret place from which they were not
produced when called for by order of
the secretary of war.
Major Ray has been shown more
personal consideration in assignment
of stations than any other paymaster
in the army, has been stationed in Chi
cago during every presidential cam
paign since he has been in the SER
vice and was sent there last winter
by order originating from the White
House.
THE committee believes that public
attention ought to be called toN this
case because If one officer is allowed
favors and immunity as a result Of po-
litical services or influence, It must be
a pernicious example to all officers.
1.-THE committee states its findings
without intending disrespect to the
president, and in the hope that he may
see fit to make public such explanation
of the circumstances set forth as will
assure the country that the army is
not being used for political purposes. +"
The report declares that the secre-
tary of war had decided that the COM
mittee should not see certain papers
bearing on the case, said to have been
found in the office of General Edwards,
then head Of the insular bureau, on
February II.
In the charges relating to the wife
of an empIoye of the war department,
on account of which Major Ray was
severely reprimanded, the committee
concluded there was ample Justihca-
ton for failure to proceed with the
court martial, as the employe who
complained effected a reconciliation
with his wife and refused to press the
charge. The course directed by the
president and followed by the pay
master general was the only proper
one under all the circumstances, the
committee agreed.