The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-06-24
WILSON ANNOUNCES
INQUIRY INTO SEEDS
Contracts for Distribution
Are Being Investigated
Independently by AgricuI-
tural Department.
Second Award Made to Nellis
in Spite of Complaints as
to Fulflllment of Obliga-
tionS in 1899.

I'VE have known of these things il
the department for some time, and W,
intend to probe them to the bottom
We believe that we have held up enough
to reimburse the Government for anv
losses that may have accrued. This
case is IN the hands of the attorney
for the Department of Agriculture. and
it is pending before the Court of Claims
Other officers of the department are
conducting an investigation. Prof. Cal
loway has the matter in his hands"
Thus spoke the Secretary of AEricul-
ture this morning concerning the ale
cations made that the Government has
been defrauded out of many thousands
of dollars In seed contracts.
Tho exposures made by The Times cf
yesterday as to the testimony in the
case of the New York Market Garden
ers' Association. which is suing 10 re-
cover about $4,000. alleged still to be
due on contracts made in 1901. have
created more or less Of a sensation. and
they may lead to still other investiga
tions.
Charges Accommodating.
Charges and counter charges are ac-
cumulating rapidly and have heen ac-
cumulating since 1898 and 1899. when the
New York Market Gardeners Associa-
tion obtained its first contract with the
Government. and when many complaints
were made that Arthur c. NeIlis. the
manager OF the association. was not full
filling his obligations to the Govern
meut
These charges have been intensified
since the second contract was awarded
to Mr.. Nellis, despite the trouble over
the FIRST contract, and despite the pro-
tests Of certain officers.
Those who awarded the second con-
tract ignored the protests. # is
asserted. because Mr.. Nellis' bid
was the lowest made-so low, in fact.
that many experts were aware at the
time that it would be almost impossible
for him to fulfill his obligations.
Delay in Performing Contracts.
The second contract was also awarded
in the face of official reports. in which
IL was shown that in the performance OF
the first contract. there had been the
most serious delay. which had tangled
up the distribution for the year. One
OF these reports was made by the then
chief of the seed division, Capt. Robert
J. whittleton
This report bore the date OF August
%. 1899. and dealt with the distribution
OF the seed by the New York Market
Gardeners Association in the year end
Cd June 30. 1899, and says in part:
The cost TO the department of the
14,2Ss,l6S packets of seeds distributed
was S7O.97s-36, as per contract awarded
In addition to the above contract list.
there was expended for various kir6s
OF seeds. which were distributed nisce,- !
laneously by the seed division during
the fiscal year, the sum of s4.35s. 90. |
These seeds were sent TO such localities
as were best adapted for their culture. |
and at proper time for planting.
among the varieties distributed were I
wfeat. oats, buckwheat, field corn, vel
vet beans, cotton. grasses. turnip. and
vegetable seeds. of which a record has
been kept in this division showing
where. when. and TO whom the same
have been sent.
Begun In January.
Referring again TO that part OF the
which had been contracted /
fer with the New York Market Garden /
ers' Association, have TO say that the 4
work was begun about January /. 1899 I
or soon thereafter. and ended on OF 4
about May 9.
"A. c. Nellis. acting in the capacity .
or manager for the contracting associa- I
ton. being himself a member of tho
firm, had charge Of the distribution in .
so far as the said firm was obligated by .
Contract. Mr.. Nellis was much OF the
time greatly handicapped in the work /
CT distribution by delays OF large ship
nents OF seeds while in transit TO this
city. causing waste of much valuable
time.
In some cases the varieties named