The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-07-08

ENOUGH
TO ACT

Washington. June S--secretary Wilson
Of the department OF agriculture yester-
day directed that an investigation be
made OF the charges that some official
or officials OF the division OF statistics
had been guilty OF furnishing 10 brokers
In New York and other persons interested
advance information from the govern
ments reports on cotton acreage.
hrs action followed II conference" held
late yesterday afternoon between Sccre-
tary Wilson and Richard Cheatham OF
Atlanta. Ga. secretary OF the Southern
Cotton association.
The investigation will be made by n de-
partment expert under the direction OF
Secretary Wilson. The name OF the ex-
pert is withheld for the present
Secretary Wilson's inquiry will be rigid
and thorough. lie has i'm his hands
numerous letters and affidavits submitted
TO him by Secretary Cheatham tending 10
show, in the opinion OF the latter, that
there have been leaks I'm the department
and that someone within the department
is responsible for them
Mr. Cheatham declined 10 state whether
names are mentioned In the data which
he filed with Secretary Wilson He also
refused 10 make public any Of the letters
or affdavits. on tho ground that such
course would be discourteous to the
tarY a statement was made public con-
corning the case as follows:
Secretary Wilson decided 10 make an
investigation as a result OF information
furnished him by Mr.. Cheatham The
work will be done by a department ex-
pert.
THE secretary will not make public
NJ this time the substance OF the evidence
now before him; neither will he indicate
hot hes
name That is all that can be said on
the subject at thfs time"
In discussing the matter last night Mr..
Chcatham said: II am of the opinion that
the outcome Will be great surprise IN
some quarters. Secretary Wilson is
interested lie was at first inclined 10 be
sceptlcal, in view OF the precautions that
had been taken by him to prevent leaks
from the division OF statistics
THE evidence which unfolded 10 him
was undoubtedly surprise To my mind
1t is complete and expect 70 make the
case stick"
AIR Cheatham had two conferences with
Secretary Wilson yesterday He went
TO the department this morning and was
closeted with Mr. Wilson for more than
an hour.
This interview was unsatisfactory. and
another one was arranged for this after
the office or Secretary Wilson the second
time he stated that the latter had all
the facts before him and had decided that
they justified a thorough inquiry.
The attention ~ Mr.. Cheatham wa.
directed last night TO an interview with
lIaryle Jordan. president Of the Southern
Cotton association. I'm which the latter
stated that Mr. Cheathams action before /
the department OF agriculture was not /
taken In behalf of the association.
Mr.. Cheatham exhibited telegram /
from Mr.. Jordan which read as follows:
III YOU have discriminating evidence file |
it
The telegram was signed Harvie Jor- /
dan president.
A. the request ~ Secretary Wilson Mr. /
Cheatham will remain I'm Washington q .
day or so Another conference will he .
held AZ the department tomorrow. when .
tho evidence Will 30 canvassed by the sec
rctary and Mr. Wilson
At the same timo comprehensive in .
structions viii be given tho official who .
Will have charge ~ tho investigation
In tho absence 81 Staustlcian John F.
Hyde. who has gone 20 Europe. the
bureau Is In charge OF Assistant Sta
tistician Edward s Holmes.