Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-07
Mr.. Beach to Prosecute the
Cotton Conspiracy Gases.
SELECTION ANNOUNCED
WILL RETURN 10 THE CITY
EARLY NEXT WEEK.
Hopes to Obtain More Indictments II
Connection With thu Alleged
Conspiracy.

Mr.. Morgan H. Beach, until recently
United States attorney for the District OF
Columbia and prominent member OF the
local bar. was today appointed special
assistant to Attorney General Moody to
conduct the prosecutions in the cases grow
ing out OF the cotton crop conspiracy. The
appointment was announced by Solicitor
AS published in The Star some time ago.
negotiations were pending between At
torney General Moody and Mr. Beach. look
ing to the appointment Of the latter as spe-
cial government counsel The President
the Attorney General and the Secretary OF
Agriculture realized that as Mr. Beach had
handled the cotton cases from the begin
ming, and was thoroughly conversant with
every phase of the situation. 1t would be
wise to employ him to conduct the prose-
cutfons.
Will Resume His Work
1t is understood that Mr.. Beach. upon his
return from brief vacation out Of the city.
will continue his work in the cotton cases
without interruption. 1t was known before
he retired from the position OF United
States attorney for the District that he had
not completed his work iu the cotton cases,
but that the matter In hand was in such
shape thai 1t could probably be worked UP
IL necessary by the present District attor-
ney, Mr.. Baker. of his assistants.
without prejudice to the governments
cause. The material already in possession
of the government. 1t Is claimed Is sufh-
client to insure additional indictments
against the cotton conspirators.
This will be the first work to be consid-
cred by Mr. Beach. 1t is known to be his de-
sire to complete the list OF indictments
against former Associate Statistacian
Holmes Of the Agricultural Department and
Hoo nd r1nk hoYv NJ
New York before any steps are taken on
the indictments already obtained. Mr..
Beach does not believe. however. that this
work of securing additional indictments will
be long or tedious, and he contemplates
whipping the case Of the government into
such shape that trials may be requested at
an early date.
Compliment to Mr.. Beach.
The appointment today Of Mr.. Beach as
a special assistant to the Attorney General
Is in the nature Of a compliment for his ex-
cellent work in the cases growing out Of
the postal service scandal and his manage
ment Of the cotton conspiracy inquiry in
vestigat ton.
Secretary Wilson stated emphatically to
q friend the other day that considering the
drawbacks under which the district attor-
ney had labored In his Investigation Of the
cotton conspiracy the success attending his
efforts had been truly remarkable.
There was some slight friction between
tho Secretary and the district attorney prior
to the grand jury's inquiry into the cotton
cases. due to q slight Misunderstanding Of
the district attorneys attitude in connec-
ton with the prosecution Of Holmes, Peck
ham and Haas But that Misunderstanding
which was not serious at any time, dis
appeared early In the course Of Mr.. Beach's
work and now the former district attorney
has no more sincere admirer in Washing
ton than the Secretary OF Agriculture.
Mr. Beach was at first somewhat in
clinsd to refuse the governments offer OF
an appointment as special assistant to the
Attorney General. He desired to resume his
private practice as soon as possible His
health had suffered considerably from the
strain consequent upon the close applica-
ton to duty by day and by night. neces-
sary in the conduct OF the cotton inquiry.
But the district attorney endeavored to
make 1t a point. however. throughout his
entire term, not to secure indictments I'M
less convictions were reasonably sure to
follow. 1t Is believed by his friends that
the desire to finish the cotton Sob in good
shape and, carry out his task to the end Is
in large measure responsible for his ac-
ceptance OF the governments offer.
Mr.. Beach will return to the city next
Monday or Tuesday.