The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-05
GRAFT HUNT HlTSDR. SALMON.
SCANDAL IN THE BUREAU or
ANIMAL INDUSTRY.

hNIMhL lNDCSHHIs
Its Chief Admits That He Was Business
Partner Of George II. Howard, Who
Patented the Labels That Are Attached
to Meat Inspected by the Bureau.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4.-The investigation
Of Secretary Of Agriculture Wilson 10 now
conferred in the Bureau Of Animal Industry,
over which DR.. d. Z. Salmon has presided
for many years. That bureau ia expected
to furnish the next sensational develop
ment In connection with the Department
scandals.
The Howard Printing Company OF this
city has contract with the Department
Of Agriculture to print patented label
that Is attached to meat inspected under
the direction OF the Bureau OF Animal In
dustry. This contract amounts annually
to many thousands Of dollars.
On Tuesday Of this week Washington
despatch to THE Sun told how a scientist
Of the Department had been connected
with the concern that manufactured the
labels alta ched to carcasses, and that the
money to finance the concern was supplied
BY one OF the scientists attached to the
Department.
It now develops, despite vigorous de-
malls, that DR.. D. E. Salmon was the business
partner Of George E. Howard when the
gelatin label was patented, and also when.
in June, 1901, the first contract for the label
was awarded by the Department Of Agri-
culture. This and other facts are known
to Secretary Wilson. They are proved by
O. Il oh "
to-day to tell his business relations with
George E. Howard, DR.. Salmon said they
had been in business about six years.
Il knew Mr.. Howard" he said, when he
was on the National Tribune. regarded
him as a very bright young man, who only
needed little capital to make a success
In the world. He had no money and
advanced the sum necessary to publish
the Feather, poultry journal In which he
was interested. We continued in the print
ing business and he became aware OF the
needs OF the Department Of Agriculture for
q meat label. Being an ingenioua young
man, he met the conditions and the patent
was taken out on his device"
did not you assist him In inventing the
device?'
.No, It was his invention replied DR..
Salmon.
But did you never give him suggestions
about the label?'
.Oh, yes / offered suggestions from
time to time. told him what the require
ments were,' replied DR.. Salmon. 4 also
urged him to perfect some device, as did
companies that made business OF dealing
In tags. We were anxious somebody should
be able to furnish q label that would be
acceptable
DR.. Salmon was then asked II . contract
had been secured before he and Mr.. Howard
ceased to be business partners.
DR.. Salmon replied in the affirmative.
Some time in June, 1901 he said, 'the
Department agreed to purchase 500 worth
Of these labels. 1t was July before I
severed our business relations. ! had in
tended to get out earlier. but I was putting
the business in the hands Of my lawyer to
settle up. Ny lawyer was stck and unable
to undertake the work as early as I had
expected. Mr.. Howard wanted me to
remain In the printing company. He
said separate company was to be formed
to handle the meat label and that 1t was
not fair for me to sacrifice my interest
Just at the time when it,promised to become
profitable. I told him It was impossible
forSme to have any connection with the
meat label as an official OF the Department.
and therefore must get out Of the print
ing company at once, which did,
And you have no interest in the meat
label now, directly or indirectly?'
Absolutely none.' was the answer, 'and
have had none since July 1, 1901
what about the printing contracts
awarded to the Howard Printing Company
since that timer
understand the Howard Printing Com
pany has done printing for the Department
in recent years
Including your bureau7'
Eyes, was the response.
It appears that DR.. Salmon was q partner
ofMr. Howard for about eight months after
the meat label became a salable article to
be offered to purchasers. including the
Department Of Agriculture.
DR.. Salmon was asked to-day about the
reports OF alleged favoritism to the so-called
trust in connection with the inspection Of
meat.
I'VE have had more or less complaint
from small meat packers said he, abe-
cause Of our inability to send meat in
spectors to them promptly. The number
Of inspectors Is not large enough. As a
rule the small companies are not engaged
In slaughterng for the export trade, which
fact we are bound, under the law, to bear
in mind. We had some difficulty with q
New York firm which was slaughtering for
home consumption, but some small portion
OF the carcasses was sent out OF the State.
which made it necessary that the meat
should be inspected
DR.. Salmon as we'll as Secretary Wilson
did not think there had been undue dis
elimination In favor Of the big paoking
houses, although aware that there had
been more or less difficulty In complying
with requests Of the smaller companies.
Announcement was made to-day that
Secretary Wilson will not take vacation
this year. Things are moving so rapidly
in his Department now that Mr.. Wilson
has determined to stay here and see the
investigation to the end. He said to-day
that he would look into every rumor and
report suggesting graft in the Department,
Al