The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-19
HAYES NOW IN CHARGE
Much Speculation as to the Successor
of Hyde. Wilson and Other officials
Have Stated that He is Not lmpli-
Gated in the Holmes Scandal. A Let
ter of Confession is Now in Wilson S
Hands Demanding Quick Action.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington; July 1S.-The resigna.
ton of John Hyde, statistician and
chief of the Bureau of Statistics of
handed to Secretary Wison to-day
and promptly accepted. Willett n.
Hayes, the Assistant Secretary of Ag-
riculture, has been placed in charge
of the bureau temporarily and will
continue To act pending the investiga-
ton of the cotton scandal and until
a competent statistician is found.
Mr.. Hyde's withdrawal from the
department created wide interest.
Secretary Wilson and oIher officials
of the department have stated that
Mr.. Hyde has not been implicated in
any manner in the irregularities that
resulted in the dismissal of Edwin ).
Holmes. There is considerable spec
ulation as to the probable successor
of Mr.. Hyde One name that has
been suggested is 3. w. Snow, Of
Chicago, statistician for well-known
farm journals, and once an assistant
statistician under j. r. Dodge, who
was chief of the bureau about twelve
at the time the present system OF
gathering statistics was devised. Col.
years ago. Mr.. Dodge was in charge
Henry Hester, secretary of the New
Orleans Cotton Exchange, in a con-
versation with Secretary Wilson's con-
tended that the salary paid by the
department is inadequate to get the
right kind of man for the place.
Hyde's Letter to Wilson.
The following is the text of Mr..
Hyde's letter of resignation and Sec
retary Wilson's reply thereto:
Washington. d. c., July S, 1906.
Dear Mr.. Secretary: During the
last four yearS-or since | succeeded
in making the crop reports of the
department reasonably accurate ana
correspondingly valuable to the agri-
cultural and commercial interests of
the country-my administration of the
office / have the honor to hold has
been constantly under fire from one
side of the market or the other. Five
times it has been investigated and on
every occasion / have been Vindicated
In January, 1903, was awarded
$500 damages in libel suit against
a prominent firm of cotton brokers
by a jury of their own friends and
feliow-citizens. These results have
been very gratifying to me, but have
the highest medical authority for the
statement that the continued fight
upbn me has already considerably
shortened my life. At the present
time it is an accepted fact that a
powerful organization is bent upon
bringing about my retirement, by one
means or another Now. | do no;
think the position / hold is worth the
fight necessary to its retention, and
the organization in question is well
come to whatever satisfaction it can
derive from my withdrawal from the
unequal struggle. If any of my
friends think that l ought not to re-
Il tasax hEAr 70
member that there is never time
when / am not under fire. | have the
honor, therefore, TO tender you here
with my resignation as statisticiall
and chief of the Bureau of Statistics
of this department.
with much appreciation of the
uniform courtesy and kindness you
have shown me and of the many
tokens of confidence / have received
from your, / am
Most respectfully yours,
(Signed) JOHN HYDE" =
The Reply of Wilson.
Mr. John Hyde, Statistician, Depart
ment of Agriculture.
Dear Sir: / am in receipt of your
resignation as statistician of this de-
partment. In accepting it, l cheer
fully testify TO the ability with which
you have discharged the heavy and
difficult duties of the office since yoll
We're first appointed. The accuracy
of your reports has been recognized
by the public generally, and l am
glad to be able to testify, with re-
gard to the charges made against the
integrity of the Bureau of Statistics.
that no facts has been brought to my
attention duplicating you in any way.
II am familiar with your devotion
TO your work, and with the untiring
efforts you have made to render the
bureau of the highest service to the
growers, manufacturers and con-
sumers of farm products in our coun-
fry. and / regret That failing health
shoald compel you to bring your work
to an end.
every truly Vours.
(Signed) JAMES WILSON.
Secretary"
ssI.va DrouppH a RupfJe,l