Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-11
President Responsible for Ex-
tremely Firm Attitude.
ALLOWS NO RETRACTION
HAS KEPT HIMSELF INFINITELY
INFORMED OF SCANDAL.
Halfway Measures Not Popular With
Roosevelt-Agricultural Bureau
to Be Swept Clean.

Special Dispatch to The Star
OYSTER BAY. n. Y. July 1i-That Pres
ident Roosevelt is personally responsible
Tor the attitude OF extreme frmness az
sumed by Secretary Wilson in dealing
win the scandal that has developed in
connection with the Department OF Agri-
culture statistical bureau there is small
room to doubt. 1t Is largely due Ia the
president. II is believed. that the report
OF the secret service investigation was
made public in its entirety
In order to re-establish the Department,
or Agricuiture's integrity and reliability
in the eyes OF the business world the
President felt that IL was absolutely nee
essary that the findings be published
without abrfdgement. And now that they
nave been so published the President con-
slders that the dignity of the department
forbids the slightest retraction.
1t Is still true that the President has re-
ceived no so-called official notification of
the cotton scandal but he has kept him
self infinitely informed In regard 10 IL
Notwithstanding The announcement OF
the result of the investigation that had
peen instituted into the workings of the
bureau or crop statistics came to the
president as no great surprise. Secretary
Wilson undoubtedly was aware some
days before the secret service submitted
It's hnal report what the outcome Of the
report would be.
To Take a Hand In the Matter.
This knowledge. there is every reason to
suppose. he communicated to the Presi-
dent when the President and cabinet made
the trip to Cleveland to attend the funeral
of the late Secretary Hay. 1t was noticed
at the time that the President and Secre-
tary Wilson had several long conferences.
That the President then gave vent to his
views In no unmeasured terms is more than
likely. Now that the full enormity OF the
onenses committed In the bureau has been
content to sit quiet and leave the whole
matter OF the offenders punishment In the
hands of Secretary Wilson.
The Presidents deep personal interest In
seeing that retribution Is exacted Is evil
denced by the fact that the question Of
criminal prosecution is already before At
torney General Moody for decision AL
though Attorney General Moody's assist
ance was ostensbly invoked by Secretary
Wilson. 1t is not customary for a member
of the cabinet to avail himself OF the aid
of the Attorney General of the United
States without first obtaining the consent
and sanction of the President.
No Halfway Measures.
Halfway measures have never been pop
ular with President Roosevelt and II ne
presides In person. although from behind
the scenes, over the much-needed house
cleaning of the Department Of Agrculture's
bureau of statistics that bureau will be
swept clean
1t is said by one who is i'm a position to
have at least some inkling of their con
tents that several of the recent communi-
cations relating to the subject sent by the
President to Washington would, as com
pared with the usual dry formality of Of
fetal or semi-ofiicial documents. make i'm
tensely interesting reading for the gen
eral public.