Republican farmer., 1919-08-01

sons in and around Paris was placed yesterday upon General w. W. Harts, of the regular army by Colonel T. Q. Donaldson, of the Inspector Generals Department. Colonel Donaldson who conducted an investigation at Farm No. 2, at Chelles, testified at Castle Williams on Governors Island, before a subcommittee of the House of Re presentatives, concerning the brutal ity to which prisoners at Farm No. were subjected.
 Three other witnesses were exam ined. They were former Lieutenant (.Hard Boiled") Smith, now serving an eighteen months sentence in Fort Jay for his acts while in command at Farm No. 2: Sergeant Clarence Ball. serving six months for brutality while serving under smith, and Private Jo- seph C. Ryszelewski. victim of army prison brutality, who while an escap- ed prisoner won commission in the famous Polish 154 Spad Escadrille, three air victories and the Croix de Guerre with three palms and five stars.
 Asked by Representative Royan C. Johnson, of South Dakota, chairman of tho subcommittee, who he thought was responsible for the con S9tions at Farm No. 2, Colonel Don aldson said:
 "I think the commanding general of the district of Paris was responsible for it.
 '~who was that?"
 General W. W. Harts."
 General Harts. before he went to France. was President Wilson's mili- tary aid at the White House.
 Colonel Donaldson said that in his report to his superiors he had recom- rnended that Colonel F. P. Grinstead of the 15Sth Infantry Gan Arizona National Guard regimenD. be tried, together with Lieutenant smith and other junior officers and non-com- stoned officers of Farm No. ? Tt Caelles. Why wasn't Colonel Grinstead tried. instead of being given an hon. orable discharge?" asked Represent ative oscar Bland, of Indiana, the other member of the subcommittee
 'I presume" replied Colonel Don aldsor. that 1t was because it was believed he couldn't be convicted. It was very difficult to obtain convic- tons. even for the most outrageous crimes"
 Hard Boiled" Smith was brought into the library of the round brick prison that is Castle Williams His head was shaven. and on his trousers and the back of his olive-drab shirt were stensi'led in white paint the nu- morals "SOS." Smith said he enlisted in the Arizona National Guard in 1913 and was commissioned in February, 1916 He served on the Mexican bor- der, and while down there was pro- vost marshal and was nicknamed Hard Boiled" Smith.
 Smith blamed another general off, cer than Harts for conditions at Farm No. 2. He said that Colonel F.. P. Grinstead had told him that Major General F. s. Strong. his division commander. had issued instructions that the men confined at Farm No. 2 were to be kept under ruthless dis cipline."
 Did General Strong ever come to Farm No. 2?" asked Representative Johnson.
 NO, sir"
 How often did Colonel Crinstead visit the farm?"
 sometimes every day and some times about twice a week"
 What were your orders when put In charge of the prison?"
 T was told by Colonel Grinsteag5 to treat the men as general prisoners. and that l would be held personally responsible for escapes."
 Did you ever have any conversa- ton with Colonel Grinstead concern ing the treatment given the men?"
 "I told the adjutant somebody would be in Leavenworth. before we were through"
 What was the name of the adJu- tant?"
 "Adjutant Hansen.'
 Smith denied that men ever were beaten at the farm, but under ques- tioninE described the circumstances leading up to the suicid of a prison CT who cut his throat with a safety razor blade.
 'T was making an inspection on a Saturday morning and this man had been pulled out of line to have his hair cut" he said. "As I passed he made some remark about injustice. and I told him I didn't know any thing about the rights of his case. I turned away, and the man rushed at me. I put out my hand to stop him. I said at my trial that I hit him. but I don't know whether I hit him or not He was grabbed by a lieutenant and put in close confinement A while later he was brought before me with cuts on his hand and wrist. saw that he intended to commit sui eide, and had a guard placed over him. Another prisoner slipped him razor blade, and he cut his throat.f
 'syyho was in charge while you were in the hospital?" Smith was asked.
 'T.ieutenant c. M. Leslie"
 Were conditions the same while he was there7"
 "Yes sir"
 why wasn't he tried?"
 '-That's what I've often wondered. If was guilty all the officers were guilty"
 smith denied that he had ever taken any property belonging to men in his custody. He said on one or two occasions he had bought souve- mfrs the men had when they came to tho camp. Once. ho said, he paid 100 francs for a Deaths Head Hussar helmet and another time about five francs for pair of spurs.
 - When tho members of the sub committee had finished questioning