The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-05-29
POLITICS INTO IT
Travis Hearing Held Before
Rainbow Division Board Here.
Probing Cowardice Charges
Against State Insurance Head.

Politics got into the Frank L. Travis
hearing before the official board of
the Kansas branch of the Rainbow di-
vision before cross examination of the
first witness was well under way.
There was a general tendency to ad-
nit that the Kansas ammunition train
was the best train in the war service.
This fact, however. was such an in
cidental matter that the investigation
swung over into the demeanor and
conduct of officials and the trend of
the Kansas political campaign.
Lieut.. Lester Rowles of Topeka was
in the brigade headquarters of the
Rainbow division. He appeared in the
supreme court room today as a volun-
teer witness in the hearing to investi-
gate charges of eowardice and military
Irregularities by Frank I. Travis. lieu
tenant colonel of the ammunition train.
Travis is at present state superintend-
ent of insurance.
Gattley Letter Causes Storm.
Had Rowles neglected to suggest the
offering of letter from General Cat
tley, the whirlwind of political discus
sion might have been sidetracked until
at least later in the hearing. Rowles
read a portion of the Gattley letter.
But it was S. M. Brewster, of counsel
for Travis, who found the expression
which extended all sorts of bad politi-
cal tidings to Travis. Rowles said he
had written to the general for a state
ment
What was your political interest %
asked Brewster.
Absolutely none"
This letter says it should be easy to
beat Travis What did you say in
your letter to General Gattley which
led to that remark?"
Lieutenant Rowles said he had not
mentioned politics-had merely asked
if the general would make state
ment.
Did you write in the interest of any
insurance company or any candidate
for insurance superintendent? ?''
81 did not"
Then at whose suggestion did you
write?''
81 shall refuse to give names,' was
the reply.
The witness said he had been de-
tailed to make investigation of charges
against Travis. He said he submitted
report which several officers signed
several with personal reservations
as to certain details. Rowles denied
he was interested in the case.
Admitted Political Move.
What was the reputation of the
ammunition train2" asked W. K.
Herndon. president of the Rainbow
organization in Kansas.
Il believe it was very good"
WISH II dS lilc DrSl u diil
in the war;"
Il believe 1 have heard the general
say So"
Then Travis himself questioned the
witness.
Wasn't this all framed up while
was in the hospita12 Didn't it develop
when Major Franks was selected for
the job by General Gattley?"
II don't know. They got busy as
soon as reports reached them"
"If they were sincere, why didn't
they have me tried as provided by
army regulations?
"I don't know. ] was detailed to
make the Investigations. That is all
can say
Lieutenant RowIes, the first witness
called to tell of the charges against
Lieutenant Colonel Travis's record
during the time. was in service over
seas. Rowles said he thought there
was an attempt to cause Travis po-
litical trouble. but denied he had
acted in the interests of the Travis
opposition.