The Washington times., 1917-10-12

TcsOANcu 10 lOpplc MIN.
ed to the police where negro guards
at the Highway bridge threatened
to shoot civilians, and minor COM
plants have been made, though not
reported TO the police, OF negro
guards who jabbed civilians with
bayonets.
Samuel Gompers. president of the
American Federation OF Labor, was
at the War Department to see Sec.
retary Baker when he heard of the
killing. He was outspoken in de-
nunciation OF the action OF the sentry
as the facts had been reported to
him.
Secretary Baker was awaiting a
full report OF the shooting before
taking action. Decision as to the
removal OF the colored troops from
guard duty at Camp Ordway will rest
| with the Secretary. Adjutant Gen
eral Mccain and other officials were
inclined to withhold Judgment until
the facts are fully developed by offi-
cial investigation.
This afternoon. General Mccain
said that charges would be brought
against Ward before a military tri-
bunal. but their nature and the time
when he will be court-mArtialed are
problematical.
The body OF Cooper lies at the
morgue and Coroner hewitt, of course.
must issue a certificate OF death be-
fore 1t can be inferred. But as the
military authorities are not concerned
IT, any wise with possible findings of
tie local officer. II is improbable that
a regular inquest will be conducted
fon rendering of azVerdict by the cor
oner's jury.
Jerry Ward is held incommunieando
at Washington Barracks. This was
learned at the War Department. Cap
tain ,NfiIlilleh. provost marshal, rsfus-
ed 20 say where Ward is held.
You understand that in such a
contingency we could not possibly
tell you where the prisoner is. II is
better for many reasons that he be
held in secret as far as the public Is
concerned" This was his statement.
Captain Milliken intimated that IL
1t were known where Ward is i'm
prisoned, the consequences might be
most serious.
Oldest In His UbIos.
Cooper was the oldest member of
the carpenters local union and was
president OF the organization fifteen
years ago He wa1 extremely popular
with lAboring' men. who knew him
as Pop" His son, and others. all
declared he was partially deaf They
further say that he- was given no
chance to rsply to the command OF
Ward, even had ne heard the order to
hait
All workers on the cantonmeut
building are provided by the T. J.
G1rmley Company, contractors, with
a small brass disc. bearing their
number. These they are compelled to
show at the foreman's shack each
morning before going to work.
The carpenters and other Eorkmen de-
clare they would attend Cooper III
neral In a body.
Work on the cantonment had been
going forward with a rush for the
last three weeks. Cooper had been
employ ed there since the contract job
was begun. Ward, according 10 the
statements of officers, had oply-lately
been assigned TO sentry duty. Though
the white carpenters and workmen
take the frm stand that they will do
no more work on the building IL col.
ored ssntries are present they say
they have no objection whatever to
working with the hundred colored
men similarly employed.
Mccain To Investigate.
Maj. Gen. Henry p. Mccain, adju-
tant general OF the army, told The
Times today. that the killing OF the
aged carpenter at Camp ordway will
be thoroughly Investigated by the
War Department.
''I have had only a telephone report
of the killing thus far" General Nc.
Cain said. "and know little of the
facts. An investigation will be made
and the sentinel will be
held for military trial IL the facts
Justify such action"
Col l. W. Littell, officer in charge
OF cantonment construction, said the |
reports he had received indicated
that the sentry believed he was justi- |
ned In shooting Cooper.
We have a military guard at
Camp Ordway, where a cantonment !
for the quartermasteTs department !
IL being constructed" Colonel LittelI
said.
This guard is necessary to keep
the public on this military reserva-
tion, and to see that employees 70
the main entrance gate.
where check can be kept on them.
The report ! have received is that
Cooper tried to get past the sentinel
Without going through the main gate.
Says Cooper Was Abusive.
The sentinel said the man was
abusive and insisted on going past.
he said the man put his hand behind
lin as IL to draw a gun. whereupon
he sentinel firsd.
The sentinel is liable to arrest IL
le does not |
These orders presumably were to per.
nit no one 70 pass except through
he main entrance. 1t should be en-
ohEsiZed that il is dangerous to at
,empt to pass a sentry on a military
Colonel Littell said he had received
)nlY the sentinalIs afory u. -. =