The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-02
PRESIDENT WANTS TO PUNISH
TALKS OVER COTTON SCANDAL
WITH Acknowledgement.
Win Probably Recomme end Changes IN
Statutes to Cover Cases OF Dishonest
Government Empleyees--Mcn Con.
eerned In Cotton Leak May Escape.

Statutes to Cover Cases Of Dishonest
Government Empleyees--Me Con.
cerned In Cotton Leak May Escape.
OYSTER BAY, N. Y, Aug. 1.-Attorney-
General William H. Moody arrived here
this morning on the Dolphin. ON which he
on board the yacht, and went to Sycamore
Hill before 10 o'clock. His visit, following
SO closely upon that of Secretary Wilson, u
significant. It has been expected that he
would come here for q conference with
the President on the legal aspect Of the
disclosures in the Department OF Agri-
culture.
But" said Mr.. Moody, in tply to
question" neither the cotton investigation
nor the nitro-culture matter Is In such
shape that can talk to you about It,"
There Is no doubt thai one point scheduled
for discussion in THU conferences. which
is going on tonight, is the case Of DR..
George T. Moore. the plant psychologist.
now pending before the Department Of
Justice. Secretary Wilson practically
admitted that he pointed out to tho Presi-
dent that DR.. Moore is a poor hand at
business, and that he didn't know he ought
not to have held stock in the nitro-culture
company 30 long as he was an employee
of the Department. Secretary Wilson said
he doubted If the Government bad case
against Moore.
SThe public said Mr.. Moody to-day.
sis too ready to declare certain transactions
to be illegal. Because thing happens
to be wrong It does not necessarily follow
that any laws have been broken. Our
Federal statutes, unfortunately. do not cover
all classes Of wrongdoing.'
The Presidents wish Ia to take up the
matter Of revising the statutes, so far as
possible, at the next extraordinary session,
30 that guilty steamboat inspectors, delin-
quent excursion boat owners and all man
ner Of wrongdoers in the Government
employ will not get of sootfree. 1t IL
rumored that trust legislation. and insur-
ance legislation will also be discussed at
this conference.
A telegram to which Secretary Wilson
referred yesterday was received and made
public by the President to-day. 1t Is signed
by the chairman Of the National Board Of
Trade committee OF Philadelphia. The tele-
gram reads:
4The investigating and advisory COM
mittee Of Government crop reporting APP
pointed by the National Board Of Trade,
an impartial, unprecedented body Of men
representing all sections Of the United
States. are familiar with the work Of the
departments under Secretary Wilson, and
the great practical substantial results to
the nation of his administration. His
rugged, sterling integrity commands the
respect and admira ton OF all good peopis.
No true patriot with an eye single to the
service and honor Of his country will take
advantage OF recent disclosures to sug.
gest that he should resign. Do not forget
Interested motives have made the section
these men represent denounce all Govern
ment reports that did not favor them.
Their attitude on ginners' reports illustrates.
Impartial. trustworthy, public spirited men
are ready to cooperate with the Secretary
for broad and comprehensive reor~aniza-
ton Of all crop reporting and statistical
work and suggest safeguards and penalties
to insure US far as possible honesty and
integrity in the future"
Secretary Moody will leave on an early
train tomorrow morning.