The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-08-01
Refuses to Tell Of Dealings in Agri-
cultural Products.
Unless He Answers Questions by To-
day He VIII be Reported to Judge
Wright. Who Has Announced His
Intention to Punish Witnesses Who
Refuse to Reply to Proper Qucs-
tons.

Washington, July 27.-F. \. Peck
ham, u New York broker, today refus-
ed to answer questions as TO deaf
ings in agricultural products, before
the grand jury investigating the cotton
report leakage. Mr.. Peckham was
~thereupon told by United States Dis
trict Attorney Beach that unless he
(Peckham) changed his mind by to-
morrow morning at II O'Clock, when
the grand jury c%onvenes for the day,
his recalcitrancy would be reported to
Judge Wright, Of the Supreme court of
the District of Columbia, who already
has given public notice of his intention
to punish any witness refusing 10 re-
ply to proper questions. The penalty
is imprisonment. When questioned to-
night Mr.. Beach, who has steadfastly
refused to discuss developments in his
inquiry, declined to admit the proba-
bility of proceedings against Mr.. Peck
ham.
Secretary Wilson in his report on the
examination into the affairs of his de-
partment by the secret service men, re-
ferred to Mr.. Peckham at some length,
saying:
"Mr. Peckham was interviewed at
the Hotel Breslin, New York city. He
was shown the above series of letters
and asked for an explanation of their
contents. Mr.. Peckham stated that the
only explanation he had to give
was that at the time the letters were
written he was trying to make some
money in the cotton market. Further
than this Mr.. Peckham refused to give
any information about his relations
with Mr.. Holmes, Mr.. Haas or Mr..
NanRiper that could throw any light
IN the matter under consideration.
Shortly after Mr.. Peckham was in
terviewed he left New York for Wash
ington and Immediately on his arrival
in the city he held conversation with
Holmes over the telephone in which he
inquired whether Mr.. Holmes intended
to resign his position Or whether he
expected to be dismissed from the gov
eminent service.
"Mr.. Peckham was interviewed
again at Hotel Breslin, New York, after
his trip, but declined to give any fur
Their information concerning his rela-
tons with Mr.. Holmes.
when Mr.. Holmes was questioned
about his relations with Mr.. Peckham
and Mr.. VanRiper he said that they
had all been on very intimate terms
socially, and that when he had occa-
sion to visit, New York he frequently
found that his hotel bills had been paid
by Mr.. VanRiper Or Mr.. Peckham. Mr..
Holmes admits that he and Mr.. Peck
ham and Mr.. Haas were at one time
associated in a business venture, in
which Mr.. Holmes was to have an in
terest equal to the sum Of $4,000 which
he was to receive as a gift from the
ether members Of the firm.
Mark Altar, counsel for T. A. Peck
ham and Moses Haas, who refused to
answer questions before the grand jury
inquiring into the cotton scandal, to-
night made the following statement:
ut is unfortunate that Mr.. Peck
ham and Mr.. Haas are unable at this
time to state their side of the case. I'm
der advice of their counsel, which I
OeeH necessary uHueI Tue ClICuIH-
stances, they have acted under instruc-
tions as to their constitutional rights.
II feel, however, that it is only fair
to say that when circumstances permit,
over which they at present have no
control, a statement be made which
will clear up the existing involved sit
uation and completely eNonerate my
clients"
Mr.. Haas was before the grand jury'I
at about tie same time as Mr.. Peck |
ham today.