The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-06-22
HAS PROVEN ALEAK
So Declares Secretary of the
Cotton Association.
CHARGE SUBSTANTIATED
Cheatham Returns from Washington
and Talks of Result of Investi.
cation as to Cotton
Statistics.

Statistics.
Richard Cheatham, secretary Of the
Southern Cotton Association, who has
been In Washington the last two
weeks, pushing charges against a
branch of the agricultural department,
returned to headquarters in Atlanta
Friday.
When seen by a representative OF
The Constitution, he talked interest
inly Of the situation as it now stands.
Some people think it is the same
old hue and cry that has been made
year after year," he said, "but they
will soon see that it is an entirely
different thing this time, and that the
charges l have brought against the
department will bear fruit.
"I received message stating that
the evidence could be secured against
the man or men who had altered the
figures Of the cotton statistics, and
left for New York on the first train.
Getting reliable lawyers to help me,
soon found that I had the informa.
tion I wanted, and wired President
Harvie Jordan Of the Southern Cot
ton Association, that I had enough
evidence to convict.
II was instructed to push the
charges, and 1 went to Washington.
Arriving there, I sent my card to
Secretary Wilson of the agricultural
department, and was received by him.
"The information I brought him
cut him to the quick. Not that he
did not want to rid his department
Of all possible traces Of fraud, but
simply because he hated to know that
men he had trusted had been so un-
worthy Of that trust.
81 had brought with me from New
York four brokers, who swore posi-
lively that they had received tips that
came from the department ahead Of
the time the report was given to the
public.
''The matter stands this way. l
got information indisputable that a
certain man or men had altered the
figures Of the statistical bureau so as
to hurt cotton producers, consumers
and legitimate traders, and to help
the few gambling spectators.
I'm addition to this, I found that
the man or men gave out tips in re-
gard to what the report would be in
advance of the report to the public it.
self. One can readily see what the
result would be in such cases.
with this proof in hand, E. S.
Holmes, Jr., first assistant statistician,
who was acting chief statistician in
the absence OF John Hyde in Europe,
was suspended by Secretary Wilson,
and is awaiting further action.
"When my information was given
in. Secretary Wilson Immediately had
the secret service notified of the sit
uation, and the detective force went
to work on the matter.
"The charges are neither dead nor
dying. They are living and making
themselves felt. Not only this, but l
can say. from knowledge that the
charges will stick to Holmes. l am
satisfied of this; in fact, positive.
eve are not prepared to give out
the exact charges. I won't even say
whether others are implicated besides
Holmes, but will in time tell.
"Chief tSatistician Hyde has beene
called back from Europe, and will
arrive in Washington next Friday.
Until that time final action in regard
to the charges will not be taken.
"This matter is too important to
trife with. The northern papers
have been filled with it, and they real.
tze exactly how far-reaching the
charges will be if substantiated. Over
1900 900 cotton men of the south are
made to suffer On account OF part
Of the Wall street contingent VINO
gamble in cotton futures.