The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-02
Praise of Secretary Wilson
 Stumps Cotton Growers
CHEATHAM KEEPS SILENT
Won't Discuss Interview of Vice Pres ldent of Southern Cotton Growers, AssoeiatIon--Peters Salary
 Is Cut of.
BY wATTERsoN srEALEv.

Washington, August 1,-(5peclal.)- )- President Jordan and Secretary Cheat ham of the Southern Cotton Growers association tonight issued an address to the members of that organization, 1t urges tho members of the association to work for and pleads for public sentiment which will compel the reorganization of the de- partment of agriculture on such lines as will insure to the cotton growers of the south square deal.
 None has been quicker to grasp in the last few days the fact that the head of the department of agriculture and the legal officers of the government in their efforts to secure an indictment against Holmes and his confederates were neg lectlng the main point at issue than MT. Cheatham. the secretary of the associa- . tion. Here in Washington he has been devotins his entire time day and night in assisting the department of justice in running down every possible clew. He realizes however, that even with Holmes and others concerned in the leak in the penitentiary the southern cotton growers VIII be little better off unless steps are taken by the head of the department of agriculture to so organize the bureau as to prevent leaks in the future as we'll as insure the publication of accurate returns. Hence the address.
 One Man for the Work.
 Many members of the association think there should be no divided responsibility, that the government can certainly secure man big enough and honest enough to take charge of the cotton reports and give the public the exact situation.
 President Jordan, who is in Atlanta, and MT. cheatham have been in telegra- phic communication the greater part of the day on the address, It was approved by President Jordan, who authorized Mir. Cheatham to afhx his signature. "The address" said MT. Cheatham, speaks for Itself. There is nothing for me to add to 1t. It Is the commencement of a cru sade the result of which hope will make impossible the repetition of the recent scandalous occurrences in the department of agriculture"
 Something akin to engagement was ex- perienced here yesterday over the tele- gram of confidence sent by Col. K. s. Peters, vice president of the Southern Cotton Growers association, to Secretary of Agriculture Wilson. When this was followed by Colonel Peters laudatory in- terview people from the cotton growing states could hardly believe the cold type. The apparent schism among members of the association was hailed with delight by the friends of the old regime in the department of agriculture and Secretary Wilson himself immediately seized upon the telegram to say that the association was not unit. Today, however, the situ- ation so far as Colonel Peters is concern ed has cleared considerably.
 cheatham Makes Statement.
 Secretary Cheatham of the association said today that he did not care to discuss Colonel Peters interview. Then MT. Cheatham was asked as to the accuracy of the repart that at the last meeting the board of directors of the association MT. Peters salary had been cut off.
 Yes, said MT. Cheatham, the eexcu- tive committee met on June 20 and was in session over two days. Much of this time was spent in discussing the investi- gation of the leak in the agricultural de- partment. President Jordan and l were authorized to do what we deemed proper The association is behind us and the power to continue the investigation is in our hands. MT. Peters was not present at that meeting. It is true that his sal ary of S300 per annum was cut off. He is. however, still vice president, but no salary attaches"
 Mir. Cheatham declined to say why the board took this action.