The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-27
NEW REPORT IS
 ALSO TOO SMALL
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(contnued from First Page) dence in Washington statistics shaken and is urging the attention of the Brit ish government and British people to growing cotton in their own empire. The last issue of the London Financial Times illustrated this feeling when it said:
 "The wild speculation that has taken place on the conditions of crop which must be subject still to months of vicis- situdes brings home once again the ab- solute necessity of extending the area of ! cultivation within the British empire. Only so can the spinning industry be protected from interruptions speculation which seems to grow more reckless and more dubious in it's methods from year to year. The selling of bureau statistics in Washington, and of the juggling of these statistics may easily spell ruin for A Lancashire spinner and sem-starvation fo.- the people he employs It is scan dalous that such a state of affairs should prevail. but the only palliative Is an in- crease in the area of production.
 Investigation Continues. l The federal grand jury's investigation of the cotton leak scandal was continued with vigor today under the direction of I District Attorney Beach. Among thase who appeared before the grand jury were lJ. c. Van Riper of New York, William M. Judd of New York, and Colonel Petors i of Texas The first two concluded their testimony Tho mystery surrounding the l investigation wa5 tne appearance of a woman ill tie case It Is learned that t'.is woman was Mrs. Bertha Burch. .tc pri- vate secretary of former Statlstician Hyde. She arrived at the office of District Attorney Beach and is understod that she has been subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury. Mrs Burch Is understood | to have been very familiar with the ruu- tine work of the bureau of statistics and her advancement in the department has beer. rapld A few years ago she re- ceiveC sieO year ano she recel-ci Siso0 a year at the time of her resignation today.
 Hays Makes His Report.
 Assistant Secretary Hays report to Sec retary Wilson on the acreage of cotton in the southern states in 1904 as compared with that planted in 1904 is as follows:
 'The crop estimating board of depart ment of agriculture has considered the report issued by the bureau of statistics on June relative to the acreage planted in cotton in the southern states in 1905 as compared with that planted in 1SO4 and has concluded:
 First. That a new estimate should be made on acreage planted, and that the figures in Mir Hydes hands when making his estimate should be used as the basis
 Second. That MT. Hyde with MT Holmes at his elbow prompting him. made the estimate lower than the facts at his l hand from the reports of the class of seven reporters employed by the bureau warranted.
 Third. The board finds, upon careful | consideration of the reports of all classes of correspondents and agents, that the acreage planted in cotton this year, in- l cluding the entire season, should have been estimated at S5.1 per cent of that planted last year. equivalent to reduc- tion in planted acreage as compared with last year of 14.9 per cent dnstead of IA per cenD or 4,731O00 acres-the esti- mate of the total acreage planned last year being 26,999,O00 acres.
 ''The estimated percentage of the de- crease in each of the cotton growing states Is as follows:
 Virginia 1S North Carolina 16. South Carolina IA Georgia IA, Florida 12 Ala bama Il, Mississippi Is, Louisiana IT, Tex as Is, Arkansis 1s. Tennessee 13, Missouri 15 Oklahoma 15. Indian Territory Il.
 ''The averages were made for each state by each of the four members of the board and the comparatively small disagree ments were harmonized almost wholly by the averaging, and the above results are fully agreed to by each and every member of the board. Respectfully submitteds
 VICTOR H. OIMSTEAD.
 STEPHEN D. FESSENDEN, "GEORGE K. HOLMES.
 w. w. LONG,
 Crop Estimating Board. l ssThe ahove findinQs and reporf madA