The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-10
PRICE DEMANDS RETRACTlOE.
SAYS HE HAD NO CONNECTION
WITH COTTON SCANDAL. =
Mr.. Cheatham Also Says There Was NO
Evidence Against Him-secretary Will
son Asked to Retraot the Charge or
Take His Chances In . suit for Libel,

4 WARRINGTON, July 9,-Theodore Price
Of New York the cotton broker who was
mentioned in Secretary Wilson's report
on the cotton scandal in the Department
Z of Agriculture, has requested Secretary
Wilson "to withdraw the unjust offensive
. and unsustained charges and implications
contained in the published report made
yesterday in connection with the removal
of Edwin S. Holiness Jr."
The request which amounted prac-
tically to a demand, was made to-day
through Mr.. Prices attorney, William M,
WINS OF New York Messrs Price and
WINS arrived here this morning, and early
this afternoon Mr.. WINS had a confer
ence with Secretary Wilson and Richard
Cheatham of the Southern Cotton Growers
Association Mr.. WINS made known to
Secretary WILSON that his client insisted
upon a complete retraction, and that II
he failed to receive such vindication he
would proceed against Mr.. Wilson under
the libel laws.
Secretary Wilson has taken Mr.. Prices
request under advisement and will prob
ably announce his decision tomorrow.
Mr. Ivinssinformed the Secretary that MIR.
Price had obtained from Mr.. Cheatham
Q signed statement, in which he (Cheatham)
declared that Prices name was not mem
toned IN the charges submitted to Score
tary Wilson and that so far as Cheatham
knew there was no evidence connecting
Mr.. Price with the leaks or Juggling in the
Department. The following statement, to-
eether with that of Mr.. Cheatham. was
made public by Mr.. Price tonight:
MIR. Theodore H. Price was In Washington
to-day, and through his attorney has re-
quested Secretary Wilson to withdraw the
unjust. offensive and unsustalned charges
and implications contained In the puorshea
report made yesterday in connection with
the removal of Edwin S. Holmes, Jr. The
Secretary has Mr. Prices request under con-
eideration. Meantime Mr.. Price has secured
from Mr. Richard Cheatham the following
statement:
"Mr. Cheatham states that after evidence
which he had furnished to Secretary Wilson
waa turned over to the Secret Service de-
partment his services were enlisted by that
Department to assist the man In whose charge
the matter was placed to secure any adj
ditional evidence regarding the case. 1t was
decided that more evidence might he secured
In New York and in the hope OF doing so the
Secret Service agent. accompanied by MT.
Cheatham, went there for that purpose
After working together In close touch for
three or four days. during which time num-
Der OF persons who we're supposed to know
something about the case were examined
by the Secret Service agent alone. ana after
having fully gone over the ground and ex-
aiming every one who in the opinion OF the
Secret Service agent and Mr.. Cheatham
could possibly have any connection with
the AFFAIR. Mr. Cheatham left New York.
Before leaving he had a long conference
with the Secret Service agent. who expected
to leave a few hours later. During this
conference a full discussion OF the matter
was had and Mr.. Cheatham insisted that the
Secret Service agent call to see Mr.. Theodore
II Price before leaving the city, for the pur-
pose OF finding out what connection he had
with the case If any, as his name had been
mentioned in one OF the letters submitted
as evidence.
mir. Cheatham was informed by the Secret
Service agent that he had not been able to
secure any evidence from any one that would
in the least connect Mr.. Price with the affair.
and that he had been told by Mr.. Haas that
he (Haas) did not know Mr.. Price and had
not any connection with him In any way.
Jrp to the time that MIR. Cheatham left New
York he was informed by the Secret Service
man that he had not seen Mr.. Price for the
reasons above stated. and would not do 80.
as IL was his opinion that 1t would be use-
less as he had not been able to secure any
evidence that would implicate Mr.. Price.
up 10 the time the Secret Service agent
closed his report Mr.. Cheatham remained In
close touch with him for the purpose OF fur
nishing him with any facts connected with
the case that were obtainable. Mr.. Cheatham
stated that he failed to learn OF any new
facts or even suggestions from any one who
might know that Mr.. Price was connected
with the matter Consequently Mr. Cheatham
was very much surprised when he first noticed
In the report given out by Secretary Wilson
TO the press the name OF Mr.. Theodore Price
mentioned so prominently In connection
with the case. as he did not know Of any evil
dence having been presented or secured by
any one that would warrant the Use Of Mr.
Prices name In connection with the affair
RICHARD CHEArHAM,
Tho arrival here of Mr.. Price and Mr..
Twins and the interview of Mr.. Wins with
Secretary Wilson, together with Mr.. Cheat
hams statement that Price, so far as his
information goes, had no connection with
the cotton leaks add another interesting
chapter to the cotton scandal.
Neither Mr.. Price nor Mr.. WINS was
inclined to discuss the case tonight. Mr..
Price reiterated that he was innocent Of
any wronedoing and he insisted that the
officer who was responsible for the state
ments that he secured information from
Holmes must either retract or take his
chances in the courts. Should Secretary
Wilson decline to aooede to Mr.. Prices
osmand and proceedings be instituted
undo. the libel laws it would have
the effect of reopening the cotton scandal
and renewing the investigation. Messrs
Price and WINS returned to New York
tonight.
1t is very unusual, If not unprecedented,
for a member of the Cabinet to be sued
for libel. Senators and members of Con-
gress cannot be held responsible under the
law Of libel for remarks made on the floor
OF the Senate or House, and it may posi-
bly, be questioned whether a member of
the Cabinet is not immune from prose-
cution on account Of statements made
by him in an official report
HOLMES MAY BE PROSECUTED