THE CANTEEN CASE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 17, 20 January 1914, Page 5

THE CANTEEN CASE.

ALLEGED BRIBERY.

By Electric Telegraph—Copyright]

[United Press Association.)

London, January 17

In connection with the canteen summonses, six quartermasters, two ser-geat-majors and eight civilians were charged in February, 1903, and on other occasions they conspired that money should corruptly be given as an inducement to favor Lipton’s contracts.

Mr Muir, in prosecuting, outlined the canteen charges. He said that ueen rivalry existed among different firms to secure contracts, wherefore a rental of £l7 to £2O monthly was paid to supply messes where 100 men were on duty. The making of complaints as to the quality of provisions rested with the quartermasters and sergeantmajors, hence a system of organised and persistent bribery had been initiated by the conductors of Lipton’s military canteens. The chief witness would be Sawyer, a former employee of Lipton’s, who had been instructed by Minto (formerly head of Lipton’s military department) in 1903 to secure the influence of non-commissioned officers as cheaply as possible. The canteen business grew rapidly under Sawyer, who, later on, was personally entrusted with the payments, making it plain to the heads of the firm that he desired to conceal their responsibility and that he was prepared to repudiate the acts of any subordinate if anything was revealed. In self protection the subordinates obtained a written authority. When Sawyer wanted bribes he had to go to Minto, or Causefield, the general manager. Many letters were read detailing payments to quartermasters. Sawyer in one letter stated that Quartermaster Armstrong clamored for £SO to secure a contract for the First Battalion at Aldershot. Sawyer recommended paying £2O. Pegley, inspector of Colchester branch, wrote to the company saying that four sergeant-majors had made up their minds to stop at nothing to get fresh contractors unless they were well paid. The inquire was adjourned.