Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-27
Did Not Appear Yesterday to
Surrender and Give Bond.
MR.. BEACH Is WORRIED
HOLMES COUNSEL PROMISES TO
PRODUCE HIM MONDAY.
Peckham and Haas, Indicted With
Him in Conspiracy, Have Both
Been Arrested.

Up to a late hour last night. former
StatistIcian Edwin 8. Holmes. Jr., of the
Department of Agriculture, recently in
dicted with Frederick A. Peckham and
Moses Haas of New York In connection
with the alleged cotton crop report con-
spiracy. had not been taken into custody.
His attorneys say they will have him in
court Monday.
Holmes, according to n promise made to
District Attorney Beach in New York
Thursday night by Mr. Il. F.. Lester OF this
city. counsel for I-olmes, was to have been
on hand at the city hall on Saturday to be
arragned and to furnish bond.
District Attorney Beach was at his office
in tie city hail at an early hour yesterday
morning and remained there until noon.
when under the law. federal offices close on
Saturday. Mr. Beach. during the morning
went before Justice Stafford who. the
district attorneys suggestion. fixed Holmes
bond at $1,000. with the understanding that
when the former associate statisticiau pre-
scented himself the bond would be executed
before the clerk of the court.
Failed to Put in Appearance.
Holmes failed. however, to put In an ap-
pearance. When the district attorney left
his office shortly after noon he declined
case further than to say that Holmes at
torney assured him in New York Thurs
day night that Holmes would present
himself In court yesterday. Mr.. Beach
was plainly perturbed and gave short an
swers to those who questioned him con-
corning the non-appearance of Holmes.
The clerk of the court left the city hall
soon after the district attorneys depart
ure, saying that under the law he could
not execute bond negotiated after l.
o'clock.
1t was learned yesterday afternoon that
before leaving the city hall the district at
torney swore out warrant for Holmes.
After a conference between Capt. Board
man. chief of the detective bureau. and
Mr.. Beach the warrant was placed in the
hands of Detectives o Bren and Parham.
who have been investigating the financial
record of Holmes and former Statisican
Hyde. for service. A report reached Mr..
Beach that Holmes. who arrived in Wash
irgton yesterday afternoon at 3:41, would
attempt to leave again last evening, and
detectives were sent to the railroad depots
to intercept him.
Washington. refused TO say where the for
rner associate stattstCian could be found
last night
His Attorneys Statement.
Mr.. Holmes" said Mr.. Lester to Star
man last night, was in a far western
state when the first publicity was given
to what IS called the cotton leak.
He at once returned to this city. and
/ notified the district attorney of his
presence and said that he would be on
hand If he was wanted. He remained here
for some time and then took an extensive
trip west, going far as Washington state.
where he remained several days. He has
never thought of leaving the country, but
on the contrary, courts an investigation
which will disclose the real facts and which
he knows Will establish his Innocence.
HIS whereabouts for the past several
4ny- hoo han. l. to ft,nr
ties, but he has al all times held himself
ready to answer any charges. and as
| learned he was wanted | notified him.
and he will be here Monday morning and
give such bond may be required. l told
Mr.. Beach that l would have him here to-
day, but | forgot at that time that today
really but halliday, and l could not
get him here before II clock. did not say
that l would have him here by 10 o'clock.
but he should have been here before noon
but for unusual and unaccountable de-
lay in the malls.
Mr. Holmes is not guilty of the charges
against him, and he has given nc advance
Information concerning the cotton report
which fact is well known 10 all those who
know the workings OF the office he held be-
cause all such persons know very well that
such information could not be given, for
the simple reason that the acreage and con-
dtion of the cotton crop as furnished by
the department represented the united
judgment OF at least four persons. one OF
whom is the Secretary of Agriculture him
SELF, and that Judgment was formed only
after the reports from the various agents
from all over the country had been tabu-
lated and averaged all of which was done
In the same hour the report was made pub
lie. The contents Of these reports which
came from these many agents and which
were tabulated were unknown to any per-
son until they We're known TO all four.
1t is most remarkable that 50 much
credlbllity should have been given 20 the
unsupported testimony of man who says
that he bribed government official. and
from information ne received made great
profits. IL Is inconceivable that such
man should have confessed without
strong motive for it, but would have pre-
ferred TO continue making money, had II
been true he was making money or was re-
motive? When II is shown, II will be,
his pretended disclosures will be under
stood.
Holmes Will Be on Hand Monday.
IL understand that a warrant was issued
for Mr.. Holmes because he was not here
unnecessary for Mr.. Beach knew very well
that | would produce Holmes in accord
ance with my promise. lie also knew very
well where Mr. Holmes has been since the
LIST OF August. until the last few days for
] conveyed to him that information l re-
peat Mr.. Holmes Will be on hand Monday
morning"
District Attorney Beach last night abso-
lutely refused to discuss any phase of the
cotton conspiracy.
Tp0HpT z NAV p0TT OW