The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-27
HOLMES WAS MISSING.
He Did Not Appear iH Court and Give
 Bond.

He Did Not Appear in Court and Give
 Bond.
 Washington. Aug. 2s.--Former As- sistsnt statistician Edwin s. Holmes Jr,. of the Department of Agriculture, indicted in connection with the prema- ture promulgation of the cotton crop estimates of the Department. failed to appear before the Criminal Court today and give bond, as he had promised he would do
 District Attorney Beach was at his office early in the day and remained there until 12 o'clock. when under the law Federal offices close on Saturdays. He went before Justice Stafford. who. on MT. Beach's suggestion, fixed Holmes's bond at sle,o00 with the un- derstanding that when Holmes should arrive the bond should be executed be- fore the Clerk of the Court. When Mir. Beach left the once he declined to make any statement or to say whether he had received an explanation as to Holiness failure to come into court. Hs did say that the latter's attorney had given positive assurance in New York on Thursday night tthat Holmes would present himself In court today. The Clerk of the Court left few minutes after MT. Beach departed. saying that under the Ia whe could not execute a bond negotiated after 13 o'clock.
 At the offices of Hoimes's attorneys it was suggested that there had been some unforeseen delay.
 There are two indictments In the case against Holmes, as there are against both Peckham and Haas, both charging conspiracy to defraud the Government under Section SAG of the Revised Statutes. Seventeen witnesses are named as havin gappeared before the grand jury.
 Mir Lester, who is Mir. Hoimes's at torney, arrived in the city at S:46 ?. m. and was accompanied by Mir. Holmes. The attorney went to his of fice but he declined to say where his client could be found, contenting him. self with the statement that he would be produced Monday. Mr. Lester said further. T could have Holmes here today but forgot at that time today was but really half day and could not get him here by i2 o'clock. did not say that I would have him here by 12 o'clock. but he shouId have been here before noon but for an unusual and unaccountable delay in the mails. His whereabouts for the past several days has not been known to the au- thorities but he has at all times held himself ready to answer any charges and as soon as learned he was want ed I notified him and he will be in court on Monday morning and give as much bond as may be required.
 Concerning the previous whereabouts of his client, Mir. Lester said. MT. Holmes was in far Western State when the first publicity was given to what is called the cotton leak. He at once returned to this city and informed the District Attorney of his presence and that he would be on hand if want ed. He stayed here for some time and then took sn extensive trip West. go- ing as far as Washington State, where he remained several days. He has nev- CT thought of leaving the country, but on the contrary courts an investigation. which will disclose the real facts and which he knows will establish his in- nocence."
 Mir. Lester declared uneauivocally that Mir. Holmes gave no advance in formation concerning the cotton crop reports and said this fact would be concir e'vely shown in tho trial.