Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-25


There were lively times yesterday afternoon
at the continuation Of the Investigation Of the
weather bureau by Assistant Attorney General
Colby. Hot words and uncompiimentary ex-
pressions fairly filled the air, and at one stage
or other in the proceedings nearly every one in
the room lost for time q real good firm grip
on his temper. The proceedings yesterday were
held in the same room at the top OF the Agri-
cultural Department, and were to have com
menced at o'clock. It was 430, however. be-
fore the machine yesterday got into active
operation. At the first hearing on Satur-
day last everything moved along as
smoothly and calmly as o summer breeze,
and Mr.. Mclaughlin testified as easily
a. II testifying was the business OF his life.
Yesterday all this was changed, and, to use the
words Of the weather bureau, the situation in
the investigating room was squaly, with u
falling barometer and inclination toward gales,
billiards. and earthquakes. There were three
well-developed storm centers. One OF these
lowered around the smooth-shaven face of Gen.
Colby. who is conducting the investigation.
Another whirled around the placid features Of
Prof. Harrington and his legal representative,
Mr.. Ross Perry, while tho third alternately
paled and flushed the features Of ex-Chief Of
Besides the gentlemen mentioned and the re-
porters there were present quite group OF
witnesses and employees of the bureau.
THE FIRST OUTBREAK.
Gen. Colby WIS a little late In arriving, and
before he had been able to get his wind after
his four-story climb storm number one had
burst in all its fury. Mr.. Perry engineered this
outbreak by starting in to make statement
He said that he wished to state that Prof. Har-
rington appeared here under durcss, and that
he. as Prof. Harringtons representative, de-
sired to enter formal protest against the
whole proceedings. lie had letter, he said
written by Prof Harrington to the Secretary OF
Agriculture, which he wanted incorporated in
the proceedings AS a pleading, and he wanted to
read it now.
Mr.. Mclaughlin was on his feet in a second
but had only gotten SO far as II protest" when
Gen. Colby broke in and told Mr.. Perry he
could hand up the letter or statement and it
would be considered. For the next few min
utes the proceedings were very lively and Mr..
Perry several times started to read the letter,
the main points OF which were published in
yesterdays STAR, and as often Gen. Colby
stopped him. The dialogue in places was ami
mated.
Mr.. Perrv-I will now read
Gen. Colby-Stop, sir. This is a court for
taking testimony and not for argument.
Mr.. Perry-Well, Mr.. Attorney General,
protest against your conducting this investiga-
ton while sou are yourself under investigation.
/ will now read
Gen. Colby-I don't wish to hear any verbal
protest from you.
Mr.. Perry protest against your serving.
Mr.. Perry then commenced to read the Sem
ate resolution providing for an investigation of
Gen. Colbys department and Gen. Colby it,
terrupted
81 want to say right here" said Gen. Colby,
THAT you and Prof Harrington can come here
or not. just MS you please, but II you do come
you Will either conform to the rules OF this
investigation or you will 60 out very quickly"
Mr.. Perry-I appear here as lawyer rep
resenting man whose character has been de-
famed, and if the Secretary of Agriculture
wishes TO have me forcibly elected he Is at
liberty to do SO, and the public can pass judg-
ment on such proceedings.
Mr.. Perry then said that he would file tho
letter tomorrow. and Gen. Colby remarked.
"Oh. All you wanted to do, then, was to
make II speech"
MIR. Perry said he wanted copy OF the testi-
mony taken on Saturday and wanted to cross.
question Mr.. Mclaughlin. Gen. Colby said all
right, and then Mr.. Perry said he wanted some
outside witnesses called and referred especially
to Senators Coke and Mills and Representative
Long, all of Texas. This was agreed to, and
Mr. Colby asked: slave you any further argu-
ment?"
Mr.. Perry-I will make any further argyll
ment at the proper time, but 1t will not DO
here.
MR.. MLAU6HLiN GROWS WARM.
A further little tilt occurred as to the nature
Of the investigation, and then the storm cloud
which had encircied Mr.. Mclaughlin burst
Mr.. Mclaughlin started out by saying that he
had seen in the public press statement COM
ing from Prof. Harrington, which bristled with
falsehoods and half truths Many Of these
falsehoods were directed against himself, and