The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-11
COTTON LEAK SCANDAL GROWS
MAY BE ONE or THE MOST SERI-
Gus IN OUR HISTORY.
II Is Intimated That Conspiracy May BE
Inearthcd, Involving Men In This City.
whose Object Was to influence tho
Cotton, Corn and wheat Markets.

lneArtheu Involving Men In THIS CITY,
whose object Was to influence tho
Cotton, Corn and wheat Markets.
WASHINGTON, June 1O.-The statement
was made to-day in what is regarded as a
responsible quarter that out OF the charges
made by Richard Cheatham, secretary OF
the Southern Cotton Association, and now
being investigated by Secretary OF Agn-
culture Wilson, may grow ono Of the most
serious scandals In the history Of the Gov
eminent What Is claimed to be positive
proof has been submitted to Secretary
Wilson by Mr.. Cheatham that information
obtained from the Department, furnished
by some officer or officers within it, was
used to influence the cotton market.
1t is now asserted that it may become
necessary for Secretary Wilson within a
few days to widen he scope Of his inquiry.
1t is ntimated that a conspiracy may be
unearthed. involving perso MS in Washing
ton and New York. which, 1t Is alleged, was
formed for the purpose not only Of manipu-
latng things 80 as to influence the cotton
market, but to affect the corn, wheat, barley
and OF her cereal markets as we'll.
That the affair Is assuming a more serious
aspect is apparent. 1t is established
beyond doubt that Secret Service agents
Of the Government are assisting Secretary
Wilson. Mr.. Cheatham La also participating
In the inquiry. He Is aiding Secretary VIII
son with the object Of weaving net around
men the representatives Of the Southern
Cotton Association have commended from the
first had deceived the Secretary for their
own purposes.
Mr. Cheatham left for New York tonight.
He goes there on a mission entrusted to him
by the Secretary OF Agriculture. MIR.
Cheatham declined to tell the object Of his
trip further than to say that it was on
business connected with the investigation
being conducted by Secretary Wilson.
While maintaining profound silence as
to the exact nature Of the revelations
which he made to Secretary Wilson, Mr.
Chatham predicted tonight that "a big
sensation" would follow the conclusion
Of the investigation.
You may announce with my authority
he said, that it is my opinion that the
suspension Of Edwin 8. Holmes, Jr., asso-
ciate statistician Of the division OF statistics,
means that his connection with the Depart
ment OF Agriculture has come to an end"
Mr.. Holmes said yesterday that he had
been suspended at his own request. 1t is
understood that he has been in conference
with Secretary Wilson on several occasions
within the last few days.
There Is a report that John Hyde, statis-
tician Ct the Department. the immediate
superior Of Mr.. Holmes, will be asked to
return to Washington as soon as he can
get here. Mr.. Hyde started for Europe
on Tuesday. He is expected to be here
In about two weeks. This would give him
Just time enough to land and take return
passage Immediately. No explanation is
given as to Mr.. Hyde's connection with the
affair. His name was mentioned for the
nrst time to-day. AS far as Is known.
Mr.. Hydes integrity has not been ques-
toned. He is we'll known all over the
United States and stands high in the esti-
nation OF Secretary Wilson and with Gov
eminent officials generally.
On the surface there were no new de-
velopments to-day as to Secretary Wilson'S
investigation Of the charge that figures
relating to cotton reports had been juggled
for speculative purposes, and that there
Is big leak in the Department. But
all was activity within just the same.
Secretary Wilson has taken hold Of the
inquiry with great energy. He Is very
much aroused, and intends to probe the
alleged scandal to the bottom.
Yesterday four New York brokers ap- |
peared before him to give testimony in |
the case. What they had to say on the SUBJ |
Jet or what information Secretary Wilson |
expected to elicit from them is not made |
known. In fact, it is not admitted at the |
Department that such visit was made. |
The identity Of the New Workers is not re-
vealed. They arrived here yesterday morn
ing and after comforting with the Secretary
quietly returned to New York. Their
presence here was not known outside Of
the Department until to-day.
The authorities are conducting the in
quiry with the greatest secrecy, and as
much OF the work is being done by Secret
Service agents, the details Of the case will
probably not be known until Secretary VIII
son is ready to take the public into his
confidence.
Mr.. Chatham expressed himself as
delighted with the energy OF Secretary
Wilson'S proceedings NO man could
do more than he ia doing he said