The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-06-26
Foreman Under NelIis Gives
Damaging Testimony as
to Distribution of Seeds
in Short Packages.
1T WAS HIS TASK TO
SMOOTH THINGS OVER
Charles Kingsley, of Falls
Church, Proves a Most
Valuable Witness to the
Agricultural Department.

That direct orders were given 20 de-
fraud the Government-in the fulfllment
OF the seed contract IN 1901 is alleged
In an affidavit sworn to by the foreman
for the contractor, which was made pub
lie this morning in a digest of the evil
deuce. issued by the Department OF Ag-
riculture.
This affidavit is made by Charles
Kingsley. native of Falls Church. Va,
and who has been concerned in several
of the distributions. To say the least
Kingleys testimony is sensational.
George P. McCabe, who has been at
eral days, completed the task this morn
ing. and the result shows a surprising
state of affairs during the distribution.
Col. James Morrison, r. Bowie Hol-
lad, and Elmer L. Martin were the in
spcctors, who were under the control Of
Assistant Secretary ]. H. Brigham, and
though they knew things were not going
as they should, they made only protests,
and no decisive action was taken.
The foreman. who had received orders.
he says. TO smooth things over" with
time being to the entire satisfaction OF
the contractor.
No Records of Seeds Received.
In his afidavit Kingsley says:
THAT no record books were kept
showing the amount of seeds received in
bulk; that he had suggested the keep
ing OF such books to Mr.. Nellis, the
manager OF the New York Market Gard
eners' Association; ard that Mr. Nellis
said that he did not want 20 keep them. E"
II all former distributions these books
were kept. and Kingsley swore that he
Rad kept such books under the Parker
distribution referred 10 in The Times
Wednesday. In fact. although the law
Goes not say that the books must be
kept it had been rule OF the depart
ment. it is said. that the books should
be a part Of the fulfllment Of a con-
tract so that the inspectors could get
at them whenever they desired to find out
just how many seeds were coming into
the Washington distributing head
quarters
After referring to this somewhat ir-
regular way OF doing business. Kingsley
continues:
That a great portion Of the seed was
put up light weight; that he informed Mr.
Nellis of the fact. and Mr. Nellis in
structed him TO let Il go: that Mr. Mel
lis instructed him to notify the girls en-
gagged in putting up this seed to let the
weights run light; that he knows that
these instructions were followed; that
Mr. Nellis instructed him that IL the in
spectors of the Department OF Agricul-
ture complained OF short weights
he was to pacify them. to smooth things
over. and TO let the shortweights go on
Lightweight Packages.
Kingsley also said that after the dis
tribution had been completed. Mr. Mel.
lis had told him that he did not know
how many seeds he had sent out, and
that he had advised Mr. Nellls 70 max,
a clean breast OF the whole affair. II,
continues:
THAT beet seed were put I'D at tn,
rate of eighty packages 20 the pound
though he knew that the contract calIec
for sixty-four packages to the pound"
When asked again II he knew that the
Government was being defrauded in tn,
beet seed packages. Kingsley replied
"No more than I knew that It wal
being defrauded by others that were be
ing put up"
Concerning some OF his testimon,
given az hearing in 1902. and in givln!
ais reasons for suppressing the truth a
he time OF the distribution. Kingsle,
Continued On T7,ir.I pa1n \