New Britain herald., 1922-01-04
Graves Registration Off, cials Tells Of Digging Up Bodies With Moose And Black Caps Still Intact
Statements Also Disclose Fact That All Remains Sent Home Were Not Properly Identified.

Washington, Jan. 4-Rufus P. Hub bard of New York, employed by American graves registration service in preparing bodies of American sol ders for shipment from France, told a senate committee today that on three bodies disinterred he found a rope around the neck of each and a black cap over each face
 Bodies Not Identified.
 Called as the first witness at the re- sumption of the hearings of the com mittee investigating charges by Sen ator Watson, democrat, Georgia. that American soldiers were hanged with out trial in France, Hubbard declared there was nothing in the collins by which the bodies could be identified. "The bodies were identified by the cross on the outside of the coffin, and the black caps were not removed be- fore the bodies were shipped to the United States for burial" Hubbard testified.
 Opie Ready to Fight. Major Hierame Opie, of Staunton, Va, commander of the Third bat talion, 116th infantry, accused by Henry l.. Scott of Kenmore, O., of having shot and killed two soldiers in France, was on hand with counsel to enter formal denial of the charge. Be- cause some of the witnesses were anX- ious to testify to return home there was no early reference of the Opie case.
 Describing his work in the field as an assistant embalmer, Hubbard went into great detail while Chairman Brandegee was attempting to find out what he knew about charges of il- legal hangings.
 "You've written long letter, now tell us in your own way what you know about the hanging charges" :" Chairman Brandegee insisted.
 Black Caps Still On.
 While at a cemetery in France helping to get the bodies ready for shipment home," the witness said, Il saw three bodies brought up with the rope and black cap just as they were when the men were hanged. l think two were negroes and one a white man. I think it was a disgrace to the army that the bodies went to the par ents without the black caps being re- moved"
 The witness gave the names of sev- cral persons who were present at the cemetery with him.
 There was too much hurry in the registration service" he continued "and many sad mistakes in identifica- tion were made"
 There were no tags on the bodies of three soldiers?" Senator Overman, democrat, North Carolina, asked.
 T did not see one" Hubbard re- piled.
 Bodies Improperly Tagged.
 Were bodies that were not proper ly identified shipped home as identi- fied?' Senator Brandegee asked.-
 "rhey were" Hubbard replied.
 Many women in the crowded room who lost sons overseas leaned for ward and listened closely to Hubbard s long recital Of "carelessness" some with tears in their eyes,
 Do you know if those three men were executed in accordance with the law" the chairman asked.
 'I do not"
 
 were hanged without trial?"
 No sir"
 Knows of Cruelty.
 "Know anything of your own knowledge of cruelty?'
 Yes he said.
 It developed that what he wanted to tell was hearsay.
 Strike it out then" said the chair man.
 Examined by Col Walter A. Bethel, fcting judge advocate general of the army, Hubbard said several hundred bodies were taken up at the French cemetery where he found three with ropes hooked around the neck.
 Took Of Ropes
 "The three bodies were taken up in different parts of the cemetery on the same day" he said "'The rope was about three feet long. l took off the ropes"
 How many other men saw it" Col. Bethel asked.
 q don't know" adding that he did
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