The Washington times., 1905-08-26
COTTON SCANDAL
. INDICTMENTS NOW
MATTER Of RECORD
Charges of Conspiracy
Against Principals Filed
in Supreme Court.
HOLMES TO SURRENDER
Former Statistician Expected
to Appear Before Autf1ori-
ties This Afternoon.
HOLMES TO SURRENDER

|
| The indictments reported last Tues
day by the grand jury against Edwin
| S. Holmes. jr-, Frederick A. Peckham
and Moses Haas, charging them with
| conspiracy 10 defraud the Government
| in connection with what is known as
the cotton leak scandal. were made d
matter of record today in the District
| Supreme Court
| The persons named are charged joint
| " in two indictments reported against
| them by the grand jury. In one in
dictnent they are accused of conspiring
| 10 defraud the Government under sec
/ tion 5440. of the Revised Statutes, and
| in the other under the same section. as
amended. accusing them of conspiring
| to commit q. crime or offense against
the United States.
Holmes Will SURE -der.
Following the surrender of Moses
Haas, in New York, yesterday came the
announcement at the courthouse this
morning that Edwin s. Holmes. jr.. who
is also indicted for conspiracy in COR
nection with the cotton scandal, would
surrender this afternoon. AT 1:30 O'Clock
It was understood that Holmes would
appear at the courthouse after 3 o'clock
prepared to give bond for his appear
ance when wanted
District Attorney Beach left hss office
at noon. It was learned that Mr.. Beach
had perfected arrangements for the
taking of Holmes bond when he arrived
at the Marshals office.
Counsel for Holmes stated that he was
expected to arrive In EgasEfcgton this
morning. According 10 the best infor-
nation his counsel had. Holmes must
have missed train connections which has
delayed his arrival.
Grand Jury Report.
The report of the grand jury was
based on the testimony Of The follow
ing named witnesses, who appeared be-
fore it from day to day s3ace the in
yestisation began: Richard Cheatham.
William E. Horan, William P. Walsh
Louis c. Van Ripper, William NJ Judd,
Moses Haas, Victor II. OImstead, Will
lam p. McCabe, Charles S. Clark, Louis
II. Mercer. B. c. White Stephen d
Fessenden. James II. Blodgett, Harvey
Jordan, James Wilson. II. W. Des-
gI anges. and Samuel R. Baulsir
After citing that it is the purpose and
work of the Agricultural Department
TO tabulate crop reports. particularly or
cotton, it is stated that on Novembef
l6 1903, and continuously until June g.
1905. Edwin s. Holmes, jT., was asso-
ciate statistician in the Bureau Of
Statistics. His official duties are set
out. and it is alleged because of his
connection with the Department of Ag-
TicuIture he knew the condition OF the
crop report, particularly of cotton and
made the same known TO Peckham and
Haas.
1t is next alleged that OH June ., 1864,
Holmes. Peckham, and Haas, because
Of the information unlawfuIly gained.
conspired TO defraud the United States
by certain means and schemes. in that
Peckham and Haas would procure soma
person or persons possessed Of money
who would. under the guidance and ad-
vice of Holmes. in violation Of the con-
f1dence imposed in him by the Secretary
Of Agriculture, engage in buying and
selling cotton. It is alleged that Holmes
would give advance information of each
cotton report TO Peckham and Haas or
to some person or persons designated by
| them before the report was made public.
Peckham's Telegram.
In consequence of this alleged agree
ment, it is stated that on August 6.
1904. Peckham sent the following teIe-
gram TO l.. c. Van Riper, in New York:
Come TO Washington at once wire
me at Raleigh Hotel time Of arrival.
Don't advise Mrs. p. FRED"
1t is stated that Van Riper came To
Washington and met Holmes. As re-
suit it is said Holmes. on August IS,
1891 wrote Van Ripper, at New York, as
Dear Mr. Van Ripper: Other parties
have changed plans slightly and [ think
II adyisab bic for you to know about il.
| Cant YOU come here Saturday night or
Sunday afternoon? Write me on receipt
of this and if you decide to come here
tell me when TO meet you and where.
Again . on August y, 1904. Holmes
Dear Mr.. Van Ripper: Yours received.
! That matter can wait few days. Bet
/ ter have Z. come s can I get away be-
fore Saturday afternoon. Just getting
! over a chill; hope 10 be o. IL. tomorrow.
Yours. II.
| Evidently as n postscript to the last
/ letter Is added:
You got my initials wrong on last
! on August 80 i9ol. Holmes again
! writes Van Ripper:
! If Eeu have bought any Of that stuff,
! sell il out ut once, and sell as much as
you can in addition, We are going TO
show Il very slight decline. and as this
| is totally unexpected it win send things
out tomorrow and sell on Thursday.
| Where is Pg Tear this up H -
To this is added:
1T may go up a little before Friday.
but probably not
8 Big Surprise.
The following day Holmes writes:
Dear Van-About 50. 1t viii surprise
everybody and cause big drop is opinion