The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-27
SIATBTICIAN FLED THE JURY.
HYDE EvADED SECRET SERVICE
MEN-ON WAY TO EUROPE.


Relieved That He Did Not want 20 Give Eu.
dence Against Others in Agricultural
Department - Cotton Leak Holmes
said TO Have Gone to Canada.
WARRINGTON, July 49, While the Grand
Jury was hearing witnesses In the Depart
ment OF Agriculture cases to-day tho Do
rartment officers were preparing and
making public a new report on cotton
acreage that Ii generally condemned by
representatives OF the industry. The COT
ton scandal continues to be accompanied
by sensational reports. and 1t was admitted
to-day that the entire Department Ia In
state Of decentralization that makes tho
nropsr despatch Of business impossible.
There Ia good reason to believe now that
when former Statistician John Hyde sailed
for Europe Saturday he slipped away from
two agents Of the Secret Service who had
been detailed to watch him. Mr.. Hyde's
iaunt abroad was . great shock to officers
Of the Department Of Agriculture, and es-
uecaly to Secretary Wilson.
1T was q mean trick" said ono officer.
Hyde told US that though he was out OF
the service he would hold himself In readi-
ness to do anything in his power TO aid in
the pending investigation into the methods
and personnel Of the division OF statistics.
1t appears that Mr.. Hyde had got start
of about twelve hours on an ocean steam-
ship before the authorities had any idea that
he intended to quit the country. 1.-THE for
mer statistician IL so inclined he can re-
main away from the United States indeh-
nitely, unless indicted upon an extraditable
ofenss, stop which Ia not contemplated.
As far as il now known. Mr.. Hydes pres
ence was desired only a. q witness before
the Grand Jury.
While Holmes, the former associate
satistician. IL said to be In Chicago, there
is q report that he also eluded the vigilance
In Canada. This y disofedited, however.
II 1t Ia true that Holmes a. we'll a. Hyde
has placed himself beyond the power OF
the summons Of the Grand Jury, the inves-
tsation starts OF with little promise Of
success. They, above all others, are IN
position to give the Grand Jury more light.
There was An interesting disclosure In
the scandal to-day. 1t relates to the
woman who has been mentioned anony-
mously In connection with tho CASE. Tho
statement 70 made broadly that the woman
in question borrowed money from Hyde
90 notes indorsed by Holmss. The trans
actions were large once and altogether
out Of proportion to those In which . clerk
receiving small salary would be expected
to b. engaged.
The secrecy Of the Grand Jury proceedings
continues to remain inviolate. The warning
given by District Attorney Morgan H.
Bach that witnesses must not be q,es-
toned II being respected by every one,
including the reporters.
The mystery surrounding the Grand Jury
inquiry was deepened to-day by tho appear
ancs OF woman in the case. Who he Is
or what she knows IL an executive secret.
All that can be learned about this mys-
tsrious witness u that she is q resident Of
this city. Several psrsons appeared at
tho Office a District Attorney Beach to-day.
Among thsm were J. c. Van Ripper and
William ]. Judd Of New York and Willet
N. Hays. Assistant Secretary Of Agriculture.
Speculation IL already busy as to the
length Of time the Grand Jury will be In
session and the probable results. There Ia
an impression that II the Federal body acts
It viii return two kinds Of indictments.
one for conspiracy TO defraud and another
for bribery or accepting brides.
The resignation Of Mrs. Bertha Burch,
the confidential stsnographer OF former
statistician John Hyde. was accepted by
Secretary OF Agriculture Wilson to-day.
It was said that Mrs. Burch was practically
barred out Of offioe., During the admins
tration Of Mr.. Hyde she 10 said to have been
the power behind tho throne. Others In
the division OF satisfies. 1t 10 understood,
will be compelled to walk the plank.
There was another oct to-day to the
comedy Of errors that 10 being played in the
Department Of Agriculture. Quite q ma
terial error was made In the new cotton
report, the first one prepared under the
direction OF tho recently created crop esti-
mating board. This paragraph appeared
in the report:
.seoond-That Mr.. John Hyde, with Mr..
Holmes at bis elbow prompting him, made
the estimates lower than the facts At his
hand from the reports from the seven
classes Of reporters employed by tho bureau
warranted
In q subsequent statement the woro
higher was substituted for lower.
To-day's report 10 vigorously criticized
BY Richard Cheatham. secretary OF the
Southern Cotton Association. He said the
industry would be satisfied with nothing
lees than new report on acreage based on
an inquiry in the field.
-As matters stand.' said Mr.. Chesthsm
the Department IL In possession OF lot
Of figures worked over by Holmes, and
Perhaps others. In sone cases estimates
are missing We know Of one county In
Arkansas that reported Is per cent. de-
crease in acreage. This report never
reached the Department-at any rate 1t Is
is not at the Department now. Holmes
was at his desk for several days after he
knew he had been discovered. 1t Is the
height Of absurdity to get out report
from the remaining papers. The estimates
are not worth the paper on which they
were written
The report prepared by the Department
OF 0rictilt,Vo OiviU0 thu fottOn aCF0oR0