The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-07-26

that the Southern Cotton Growers As
ISOLATION. with q big membership, a
powerful political influence, ample re-
sources. and standing before the coun-
try which would compel respectful at
tention, determined TO place the case
before him. Mr.. Judd wrote the letter
which appraised Secretary Cheatham OF
the situation.
Mr.. Cheatham came on at once to New
York, and was shown the evidence,
some of which, at least. has already
been given publicity in the report which
Secretary Wilson made about three
weeks ago on the investigation by the
Secret Service men. As result of
that investigation Assistant Statistician
Holmes was dismissed from his posi-
ton.
Back Of the exposure which was made
by Van Ripper and Judd, there lies
mystery which has not yet been cleared
UP. Whether the Federal grand jury
will be able 10 clear II is matter Of
suTnisC.
Incidents relating to the exposure.
which have been the subjects of much
speculation. include the close relations.
personal and social. as we'll as in bust
ness affairs which existed between Van
Ripper and Frederick A Peckham for
long time prior to the exposures. The
two were much together; they were
known 20 their associates as very init
mate. Peckham was member of the
firm of Peckhan. Mercer & Co, cotton
brokers. His wife, a woman apparently
oiler than himself, rather handsome.
ana keeniy interested IN the business
and speculative operations of her hus-
band. was likewise considerably known
In the cotton district because of these
interests.
The partnership Of Peckham and Mer-
Ger was formed the latter part Of 1904
and continued only short time. Dur
ing that period, however. the firm did
business of such proportions as to star
tie the Street For a new concern. which
ordinarily would be expected 10 have
struggle establishing itself, TO leap at
once into q handsome volume of trad
ing. caused comment and sGHprise
FeckhaTn, II is now known. was in
toncn with the bureau OF crop statistics
at washington; ne, it is alleged, was one
or the beneficiaries of the tips in adj
vance Of board days" that is. the days
on which official announcement of the
Government crop statistics is made
van Ripper was understood to be ex-
tensfvely in the market at this time
The friendship between Peckham Van
Ripper and their families was close. Then
suddenly, only q few weeks after Peck
nam had gone into the firm OF Peek
nam, Mercer x Co, strange thing hap
pened.
When Peckham Departed.
Lewis II. Mercer. junior member of
the firm, one day received a letter from
his partner, Peckham, saying that he
PeckhamJ was compelled to leave the
city. He regretted il and hoped he
would be able 10 return later and re-
sumo business. But personal matters OF
which ne could not write made it impos-
sible Tor him 10 stay in the city
Peckhafn directed his partner TO close
up their partnership affairs and told
Whsr was 10 be done with the money
due TO PeCkhdm. Part was 10 go TO
Mrs. Peckharn, some was to be paid Van
ripper, and other matters We're TO be at
tended to-
any connection with Peckhanl'S manipu-
lation of the crop statistics, was utter
~ at loss to understand this letter.
lie did not even see his partner again
but learned he had gone TO Chicago
However, there was nothing for il
but TO close up the partnership affairs
as directed, and this ne did, continuing
IN business under the name of Lewis Il
Mercer. About a month after this
strange letter had come from Peckham.
Mercer received another. This was
The second letter was as mysterious
as the first. but more frankly referred
TO domestic complications as the cause
OF his going away There were come
things. sometimes. in a mans family
life, Mr.. Peckham indicated of sucn
character that he could not talk OF
them. This sort Of trouble had befaIlen
him. He had felt that he could not re-
main, and so had gone away 70 escape
possible humiliation He begged his
former partner 10 view hts course as
Mr.. Peckhan's trouble it developed,
was with his wife When ne went away
she did not accompany him Instead,
she has been occupying apartments at
The Imperial Hotel for some time past.
The separation OF Peck ham and his
wife, and the disappearance Of Peck
ham, took ''lace three or four months
before tAe cotton crop scandal became
public. Pcckham and Van Ripper had
been getting the benefits Of the advance
Information from Washington; they
auaFreled. Peckham went away and his
wife remained IN New York, living at q
Well-knowp hotel: Van Ripper. some time
after this episode took steps which re-
suited III the crop report leaks being
brought to the attention Of the Wash
Ington authorities.
Van Ripper Quarrel.
This is the relation Of various people
In the cotton district who have been