Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-11
.OPIE DECISION
IS DEFERRED
Committee Refuses Request
For Early Finding on
Charges
Testimony Before Senate Inyestigat-
ing Committee is Conflicting.


Washington, Jan. 10.-After a
dozen witnesses had offered directly
conflicting testimony on charges that
Major Hierome L. Opie, of Staunton
Va, had shot :wo or ;:iree OF his own
men of the One Hundred and Six
teenth Infantry in the fighting north
of Verdun, in October, 1918, the SEN
ate special committee investigating
charges of Senator Thomas F. Wat
son against army officers virtually
closed today that part Of its inquiry
relating to Major Opie.
John A. Cutchins, of Richmond, Va,
volunteer counsel for Major Opie,
made a concluding statement urging
the investigation quickly to make a
verdict ain justice not only to Maio
Opie but other officers accused in this
investigation.
Senator Watson protested against
a separate decision in the Opie case,
saving that the committee should in
clude its findings in the general re-
port later. The Georgia Senator de-
MED he was an accuser of Major Ople,
but claimed he had merely given to
the investigators the names Of sold
iers who wrote him they were willing
to testify. He accused the Staunton
officer of being the first to try his
case in the newspapers.
Senator Brandegee, chairman, said
he did not understand that Major
Opie and his friends expected an i'm
mediate finding and the committee
would proceed with various phases
of the investigation. He indicated the
the committee would not pass upon
the Opie charge until it makes it's re-
port at the close of the inquiry.
Prior to this several witnesses from
Virginia had testified both for and
against Major Opie, the testimony
varying as on previous days, but, on
the whole redounding to the credit OF
the officer. In his concluding state
ment, Mr.. Cutchins referred SYM
pathetically to the fact that prac-
tically all of the witnesses against
Major Opie were or had been under
treatment for mental or nervous di-
seases or came from hospitals.
All of the witnesses today were
from Virginia. Several voluntarily
appeared in behalf of Major Opie;
others were summoned from the list
of Senator Watson, who objected to
any assumption that he was "a pros
ecutor."
"This is the committees investiga-
ton" said Senator Watson. 81 am
not prosecuting Major Opie or any
! one else"
Mr.. Cutchins, speaking with some
feeling, asked that If additional wit
nesses were to appear the committee
give Major Opie ample notice of re-
resumption of this phase of the in
quiry.
The hearing began today with the
testimony of Charles f. Fox, of Rich
mond, who said he saw Major Opie
shoot man in American uniform in
the engagement north Verdun. He did
not know whether he died. There
was much talk about it, he said, in
the One Hundred and Sixteenth In
fantry. Asked why he had made nc
complaint, Fox said that he was
/ afraid"
Fox was asked why he had not re-
ported it to his lieutenant. Lieutcn.
ant Morning, of Richmond.
"That guy would shoot me; he
didn't take any foolishness," said Fox
Fox insisted, on cross-examination
that he saw the shooting with his owr
eyes. He accused Mr.. Cutchins 'ot
trying to make fool out of me. anc
you can't do it." He shook his finger
at the Opie attorney and exclaimed
"How do YOU know so much about al
this, you were at headquarters, sc
miles away"
Il was where duty sent me" sait
Mr.. Cutchins. He asked Fox why ht
was behind his lines that morning ant
going toward the rear. Fox claimed
he had orders to go back and destroy
hand grenades.