The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-07-29

ton brokers IN New York by some person
or persons employed in the Bureau OF
Statistics. relative 10 the acreage, con-
dition, etc, of the cotton crop of the
United States, prior to the official pub
Ncation of such information and that
the figures of the cotton crop had been
tempered with I'm the department in
the interest of certain cotton SpeCula-
tors; that thereupon the Secretary called
in officers of the Secret Service, gave
them the evidence in support of the
charges and put them in touch with
Cheatham, directing that they use every
possible effort TO ascertain whether or
not there had been q leak.
The report of the Secret Service was
to the following effect: That one judd
formerly in the employ Of one van
Ripper, a broker Of New York, had stat
ed that he received advance lAf0rma-
lIion on the cotton crop through certain
persons, and from one Holmes, associate
staustician of the Agricultural Depart
menL, ana that Judd had afterward be-
come convinced that not only was ad-
vance information given out, put also
that the figures. as received from the
crop cores pondents ana agents of the
department. were being distorted in the
interest of certain spectators; that
Van Riper had said he become acquaint-
ed with Holmes through mutual
friend, and that Holmes had told him
that he ivan Riperl could get 1nfOrma-
ton contained in the cotton report be-
forT il was published; that Holmes fur
nished him with Information from time
10 time for several months in advance
of the publication Of the official figures;
that the Information furnished by
Holmes correspondent exactly with the
figures which were dTteTward published
as the official crop report that in at
least one instance an effort was made
to have Holmes manipulate and change
one OF the reports, which effort had
nanifesuy succeeded. as appeared with
the Official report as compared with
the -t&ures previously given Van RipCr."
Continuing, the respondent says that
by this report Secretary Wilson set
forth certain correspondence claimed t,
subStantiate the statements of Judd and
Van Ripper. and to indicate that the
charges made by Chcatham We're we'll
founded iii fact.
Respondent Is Mentioned.
The statement goes on to say that the
respor dent is ore Of the persons men
TONED in the report az connected with
the leak. and if the statements and sug-
gestions. direct and indirect. in the re-
port. charge or Indicate an cffense
against any law CT the United States
such CT the statements or suggestions
as conceFn the respondent directly or in
directly involve him in an accusation Oh
crime against the United States
Although the report Of the Secretary
of Agriculture involves the respondent
as one possibly guilty of some crime OF
S.ffense against the United States. the
statement continues. the respondent was
summoned to appear before the grant
jury on july q. and was then cate-
upon TO testify as witness.
Pleads Exemption.
This respondent is advised by coun
sell" the statement continues, that tn
only charges or accusations of a Grim
inal nature that may be made agairs
ss,,
made in the statement Of the Seeretar,
of Agriculture. viii be either a charg
of violation of section 5451 of the .Fevise
statutes, or Of an accusation of con
spiracy OF enc or more persons VIII
Edwin 5. Holmes, ir.; that either of tn
charges may be and is usually provabl
by circumStantial evidence; that an
statements made by this respondent Il
response to any questions that may b
prop0unded him by the grand juror
may elicit a fact which of itself wi
tend 10 establish some circumstanc
tending 10 show the existence of a con
splraey; and such conspiracy being es
tablished, the respondent, if deemed
party thereto will be held and bOun
by any act and statement made by an
OF the other parties thereto; that bein
by name implicated in d the charge
against Edwin S. Holmes this respond
ent Is exempt and privileged by Law
the law of the land. and his cOnstitU
tioHat rights as citizen thereof, froI
being required to testify to anything i
the premises, and also from being r.
CURED To appear before the grand jur
IN the cause of the United States VI
Edwin 8 Holmes
The respondent further asserts tina
Judd and Van Ripper preceded him bt
fore the grand jury and that he doe
not know the nature of their tesJimou
and Hlay reflect in3uriousiy upon hin
His refusal to answer the questions be
fore the grand jury was made in goo
faith. the respondent says. and becaus
he believes that to answer may II
eliminate him.
Mr., Birney, IN his argument, contend
ed that section 545I of the revise
statutes was not applicable to Mr.. Haa
under the present circumstances, as
was q provision against any one seekin
10 brlbe United States officer. JTndt
the circumstances. ii was coutended, I'd
witness. Haas. should not be compeIle
70 disclose any information which
says may inCrlninatc him and make hi
liable for prosecution for crime pun
iShahle by law