Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-30
MOORE s CASE
TO Be PROBED
CRIMINAL PROSECUTION MAY
BE BROUGHT
PUBLISHER MAKES COMPLAINT
Positive Declarations That Employees
Of Agricultural Department Were
Interested In NItro-cuIture
and Exploited Farmers
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press
OYSTER BAY, July 29.-An investi- |
cation Of the case Of DR.. George T.
Moore, psychologist and algologist OF
the department Of agriculture, who re-
signed yesterday, is to be made by the
department of Justice to determine
whether a prosecution is warranted by
the facts.
This was clearly indicated in the
correspondence between the president
and Secretary Wilson, publication of
which was authorized by the president.
1t appears from this and the accom-
panying papers that the first sugges-
ton toward looking into the bureau in
which DIR. Moore was employed came
in a letter to President Roosevelt from
T. d. Harman, manager of the Ma
tional stockman and Farmer, under
date of July Is. In his letter Mr.. Har-
man says:
1--WE beg to call your attention to the
matter of the United States department
of agriculture in connection with the
development and exploitation of nitro
culture.
1--WE have abundant evidence to con-
vince us that employees Of the depart
ment have been unduly interested in
firms which have been organized to de-
velop and sell these cultures to farm
ers and others at exorbitant prices. AS
to the exploitation of the merits Of
nitro-culture we beg to call your at |
tention to an article appearing in
Pearson's Magazine for April, 1906 and
other articles appearing in the Century
and other magazines, with which you
are no doubt familiar. These articles
were read and approved, at least part
ly, by the department before they ap-
peared in the magazines. No argument
is necessary to show that they are
misleading and the damage following |
such publication to our agricultural in
terests would be hard to estimate.
1--WE made personal investigation
about April Is. We enclose herewith
our report on the same. We are con-
WINGED that we were misled and our
intense desire to do no one any in
jury led us to make the report as
favorable to the department as possi-
BILE. Since publishing these articles we
have evidence to convince us that our
first impressions were correct, and that
employees of the department were inter-
ested In the manufacture and sale of
nitro culture. We are ready to offer
proofs in regard to these statements
and are willing to meet you for per-
sonal interview If you desire same at
any time you may command"
Secretary Wilson Investigates
This letter, with the accompanying |
papers was referred by President |
Roosevelt on July II to Secretary Will
son with request that a report pe
made to him on the subject The re-
port reached the president today in the |
form of the following letter from Sec
retary Wilson to Acting Secretary
Barnes:
Dear Mr.. Barnes: I received from
you a few days ago certain papers, |
herewith returned, coming to the pres
ident from the Axtell Rush Pump COM |
P1hAJ VI IALIoOuIG, 1CldLlN0 " LlC uC- |
velopment and exploitation of nitro
culture In this department. 1 have
looked into the matter and today |
George T. Moore brought me his res
ignation which l accepted and Of which |
/ send you copy. 1 will send copy
of the papers to the department of |
Justice and have them determine
whether the case requires action by |
them. Very truly yours,
JAMES WILSON,"
Together with copy of Mr.. Moore's |
resignation. which was published to-
day. Secretary Wilson sent to the pres
ident copy of Moore's statement |
made to the secretary in defense of his
alleged connection with the nitro-cul- |
ture concern.
That statement indicates that Moore's |
superiors in the department of agrl- |
culture were cognizant for long time |
of his desire to leave the department to |
identify himself with the nitro-culture |
company unless he could secure pro-
motion. but in 1t Moore expressly says
that his superiors did not know his
WiIe was stockholder in The company |
or that considerable block of the
stock had been reserved for him. For
some reason which is not explained
Moore neglected TO inform his super
iors on that very material point.
DR.. Moores statement has been pub
lished. 1t is regarded as not ualkely |
that out of the inquiry which is being
made into Dr. Moore's connection with |
the nitro-culture company, may grow |
some sensational disclosures. The let |
ter of Mr.. Hasman TO the President |
contains intimation OF state OF at[alIs |
that is not explained by statements to
Secretary Wilson. The whole motter
by direction of the President. viii be
probed to the bottom. and, II the facts
warrant. prompt action will be taken |
I,xr fha 1ano orfn.nn- Of 1a.oftoa