The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-03
TO PROSECUTE THE GRAFqERS
SECY WILSON AND ATTORNEY.
GEN.MOODY PLEDGED TO DO 1T.

Defects in the Federal Criminal Laws
Which Make II Almost Impossible to
Punish Wrongdoers Arc Discussed by
the President ana Attorney'G eneral.
OYSTER BAY, Aug. 2-Attorney-Gene
William H. Moody left here to-day after q
twenty-four hour stay at Sycamore Hill.
The President and Mr.. Moody went care
fully over the cases coming out Of the
Department OF Agriculture, upon which
Mr.. Moody promised speedy action. The
cases growing out OF the beef trust in
vestigation were also thoroughly dis
cussed But what received most attention
were the defects In the Federal criminal
laws which make it impossible to reach
and to punish wrongdoer even after he
has been proved a criminal.
Secretary Wilson, IL was learned to-day
on the highest authority mad promised
the President to 60 into the investigation
Of his Department so thoroughly that no
guilty one should have the slightest chance
Of escaping punishment. He will overhaul
the entire Department completely by q
method OF his own and work In coopera-
ton with the Department Of Justice to
bring about the punishment OF the culprits
Mr.. Moody In his turn, coming oppor-
timely as he did the day after Secretary
Wilson. pledged his personal attention to
the task OF fighting before the Grand Jury.
first, for indictments, and later to prosecu-
ting IL indictments were found
United States District Attorney Beach,
whose resignation has been accepted, will
retire from Office on Aug. 81. He is familiar
with these cases. while his successor. Mr..
Baker, is probably not. When asked what
he would do about that the Attorney
General said:
IF necessary shall appoint Mr.. Beach
as a special assistant to prosecute these
cases"
But the intimattion was that Mr.. Moody
expects to have the cases in shape before
Mr.. Beach's retirement. From the inter-
view with Mr.. Moody, however. II seems
the Government will have hard time pun
ishing the grafters even should indictments
be found. When asked concerning the
probable punishment of Edwin s. Holmes,
Jr. former crop statistician, and the posi-
bility OF indicting DR.. George T. Moore,
who held stock in his wife's name in nitro
culture company while employed in the
Department Of Agriculture, Mr.. Moody
replied:
THE fact is, the entire criminal law Of
the United States badly needs revision.
and frankly told the President 80. The
present statutes arc out Of date and fail
to meet present conditions full Of com.
plications For instance, to-day 1t Ia more
difficult to transfer q person indicted in
New York across Brooklyn Bridge than
to have a criminal arrested In California
extradited to Maine
Mr. Moody was referring to the case OF
Beavers in particular and in q general way
to 30 many other cases that grew out Of
the postal frauds and land frauds. The
Government encountered difficulty at every
step in these cases. as we'll az In the steam
boat Slocum cases, to the Presidents great
displeasure.
In the conference with Mr.. Moody. it is
assumed. as well ~ IN an earlier confer
ence with Senator Knox, the President
was advised as 10 this state OF the Federal
statutes with a view OF recommending
improved laws and amendments to the
coming extraordinary session Of Congress-
In spite Of the defects In tho statutes, how
ever. Mr.. Moody on the subject Of the so
called beef trust. said:
"You can quote a. to that anything !
said in my speech Of July a.
In that speech Mr.. Moody said the cases
would be brought to court within the year.
MIR. Moody said that he had also discussed
with the President the vacancy in the United
States District Court Of Oregon. W. w.
Cotton, recently appointed to succeed the
late Judge Bellinger, declined on account
Of stress Of private business No arrange
ments for new appointment were made,
but Mr.. Moody said he would take the mat
ter up in Washington.
Mr. Moody departed at $40 O'Clock and
the only callers received by the President
to-day were Or. P. M. Rixey, Surgeon
General Of the Navy, and Grant La Fargo,
who came late in the afternoon to stay
over night.
JOHN HYDE COMING BACK.