Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-04-06
GRAVES WON'T TALK.
ON B0ROEN'S CASE.
Regular Army officer Declines
to Testify at Trenton
Hearing
SAYS RECORD is U.S.SECRET
By a stdT corrsspondcn,


ersl William s. Graves, United States
army, who was to have been principal
witness at the Mackcy legislative com
nittee investigation into the appoint
6ent' of Brigadier General Howard 8.
Borden To the command of New Jersey
National Guard infantry, respectfully
declined to testify this afternoon.
General Graves, distinguished
soldier Of the regular army and COM
manding officer Of the Siberian expedi-
tionsry force, was chairman Of the
military board which examined Cen
eral Borden to pass upon his fitness.
He was called ns the chief witness
and was expected to produce the rec.
ords of General Borden's examination.
When he took the stand he asked to be
permitted to make a predatory state
ment. When permission was given he
said:
1t may be that this committee will
wish TO ask me to produce certain rec
ords and divulge certain information
concerning General Bordeu's e1amina-
tion. As this information came to me in
my official capacity. and as these rec
ords are oficial documents for trans
mission to the War Department, l am
not permitted to answer any questions
without highe rauthority. II you gen
tIcmen wish to ask me for what infor-
nation Ia at my disposal, I shall be
Tad to request permission from the
War Department to comply with your
wishes.
Hearing Nearly Broken Up
For the time being General Graves
statement fairly broke up the bearing.
and ? was decided 20 adjourn at the
call OF TIE chair. This was reconsid-
cred few minutes later and IL was
decided to hear other testimony.
General Borden had been expected to
attend today's meeting, but was not
present. His attorney. Edwin f. VII.
son. former attorney general Of the
state, informed the committee that he
had advised the general to stay away,
because he should have more time to
prepare his case.
meeting" said his attorney, because
the subpoena did not reach him in time
He was anxious TO come today. but /
advised sgsinst it. have not been
able to get q transcript OF the testimony
At the last hearing. and this is essential
TO our presentation Of the case.
This committee il meeting to deter
nine what Is wrong with the New Jer-
sey National Guard. There seems to be
an opinion that General Borden is what
IN wrong with the guard. In view Of
this, he should have every opportunity
10 state his side OF the case.
Borden 10 Have Personal Hearing
Mr.. Wilson demanded that he be
given the right to Cross examine wit
ncsses before the committee, but this
vas denied. He declared this was ''un-
wise. un-American and in violation Of
every principal Of the square deal"
Senator Mackey said that General
Borden would have every opportunity
70 make the fullest statement he might
desire, and might indicate any witnesses
he wished summoned on his behalf. but
the committee could not set a precedent
bS permitting the cross examination OF
witnesses by his attorney.
The general counsel snid also that
there seemed to be disposition To bring
into the case the sums that General
Borden had made from his factory dur
ing the war. but that this could be in
no way gcrmsne to the case. and he
would hght the introduction Of matters
he deemed 'extraneous and imperti-
nent."
Here is General Borden's military
career. according to the ofhcial records:
Mr.. Borden enlisted as a private in
1918. and before 6 o'clock that same
nisht was commissioned a captain.
Then the Second Heavy New Jer-
sey Field Artillery" was organized and
Mr.. Borden was promoted TO colonel in
command. Governor Edge offered the
regiment to the War Department. The
offer was rejected because the War De-
partment declared the officers knew
nothing either about heavy artillery or
military affairs generally.
Drafts Reduce Number Of Men
Drafts reduced the number OF men in
this regiment to ZOO, and then 1t was
made the Sixth New Jersey Infantry
and Colonel Borden was given COM
nrand.
Another infantry regiment, ofhcered
entirely by former service men and COM
manded by Colonel Winfield Price. was
also organized by order of Governor
Edwards. who succeeded Governor
Edge. Colonel Borden was then named
br Governor Edwards as brigade com.
urander and all the officers in Colonel
Prices regiment the Third New Jer-
sey. quit.
General Borden was given an ex-
animation when ne received his appoint
ment. The secret records of this eI
animation arr to be produced at today 8
hearing, and are expected 10 create a
ssnsatio II is said he will BE- shown
TO have been declared fit TO command
a brigade Of infantry because. first he
had q good record as q student at Yale.
and, again, because be employs 6OOO
men in his woolen mills in New Eng
lad