The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-26
WILSON HAD A HARD DAY.
SlacI<-Tvisted Ways of Doing Business
Brought the Natural Results.


Especial Dispatch to Baltimore SUM-
Washington, July 24-DeVelop-
ments in the crop report scandals of
the Department of Agriculture We're
fourfold today.
The Federal grand jury of the Dis
trict of Columbia began to probe GRIM
inal practices alleged to exist and TO
have existed in that department in
connection with it's speculative re-
ports.
Secretary Wilson announced that
the new statistical board of methods
would meet on Wednesday to consider
the question of revising the June cot
ton-acreage report, which is alleged
to have shown an abnormal increase
in acreages.
\ delegation of six representatives
of the American Cotton Manufacture
erS' Association called upon Secretary
Wilson by appointment for confer
ence, in which they declared that the
cotton manufacturers of the South
want nothing but the absolute facts
made public in the governments re-
ports.
Representative South Trimble, OF
the Seventh Kentucky district, called
upon Secretary Wilson to complain
of the tobacco reports and urge re-
organization of the methods of the
department III the preparation OF TINS
report.
Not only were errors in recent crop
reports of the Department of Agricul-
lure made mere in the department, put
il developed today that agents in the
field We're often not only incompetent,
but i'm a number of cases We're person
ally interested in reporting increased
acrea ges. which have had the effect
of lowering the selling price of to-
bacco i'm the hands of the growers.
\ thorough reorganization of the
methods of the department in max
ing up its tobacco report has been
ordered by Secretary Wilson. He took
this action after the visit to the de-
partment today of Representative
fTrimble, of Kentucky. 1t is under
stood the Kentucky member told the
officials OF the department that such
a report as that issued last month,
containing countless errors, was
gross Injustice to the tobacco grower
and the department had better sus-
pend publication of reports altogether
than repeat recent mistakes.
Representative Trimble asked for
an explanation of the remarkable
clerical errors indicated by the revised
report He was informed by Secre-
tary Wilson that there was not the
slightest doubt the first report was
simply on big blunders,' and that
while they may have redounded to
the benefit of the Tobacco Trust he
felt confident they did not receive
their inspiration from that source. In
addition. however. to the clerical err
rors Representative Trimble found
that the method of collecting informa-
ton from the field was very unrelia-
BILE.
Tobacco growers have long claimed
that reports were Incorrect and the
departments agents could not be de-
pended upon. Representative Trim
BILE is now absolutely satisfied that
this claim was properly made I'm
several counties" said Mr.. Tribe to
a correspondent of The Sun, Il found
the Department of Agriculture was
absolutely without representation. One
of these is Woodford. 1t is among
the largest tobacco counties in the
state of Kentucky. In Bourbon coun-
ty / was given the names of several
men who were acting as the depart
ment's agents One of them is a spec
ulator who makes his money by buy
ing tobacco at the lowest possible
price.
There are q number of such men
among the departments agents. de-
clared Mr.. Trimble. "A report indi-
eating big increase in acreage is
lust what these men would want. In
other counties | ran across the names