The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-08-04
HYDE FLEES FROM
SCANDAL INQUIRY
Former Statistician Connected
NTH Cotton Scandals Eludes
Secret Service Men.
WANTED AS A WITNESs
Associate Holmes Also Is Reported to
Be Missing-Errors in New Re-
port-Woman in Hyde's
Case.

Washington, ID. C.. July 3l.-When
former Statistician John Hyde sailed
for Europe last Saturday he slipped
away from two agents of the secret
service who a been detailed to watch
him. He got a start of about twelve
hours on AN ocean steamship before the
authorities had any idea that he in
tended 10 quit the country. He can re-
main away indefinitely unless indicted
upon some cXtraditable o~tfense, u step
which is not contemplated.
AS far as is now known. Hyde's pres
ence WAS desired only as II witness be-
fore the grand jury. While Holmes.
the former associate statistician, is said
to be in Chicago, there is a report that
he also has eluded the vigilance of the
secret service agents II now is in
Canada. The grand jury investigation
therefore starts off with little promise
of success. as these two men. above all
others. are In a position to give the
grand jury light.
A Woman in the Case.
Another disclosure today was The
statement that a woman who has been
mentioned in connection with the scam
DIAL has borrowed money from Hyde on
notes Endorsed by Holmes HI trans
action were large ones. altogether out
of proportion to those in which a clerk
receiving a small salary would be eX-
pected to be engaged.
The resignation of Mrs. Bertha
Burch, confidential stenographer to for
mer Statistlcian John Hyde, was ac-
cepted by Secretary Wilson today.
Others in the division of statistics, it is
understood, also will walk the plank.
Errors in New Crop Report.
There was another act tCSay In the
comedy of errors that is being played
in the department of agriculture. Quite
a material error was made in the new
cotton report. the first one prepared
crop estimating board. This paragraph
appeared in the report:
"Second-That John hyde, with Mr..
Holmes at his elbow prompting him,
made estimates lower than the facts
at his hand from the reports from the
seven classes of reporters employed by
the bureau warranted" In a SUISSE
quent statement the word higher was
substituted for lower"
Protests are being received at the
department against the publication of
reports on speculative crops other than
cotton at 4 O'Clock in the afternoon OF
the 10th of each month. The point is
made that the release of exports at that
late hour gives Liverpool an adVan-
tage over American markets. The de-
partmeDt recognizes the Justice of the
protest, and if it is possible to do so
reports VIII IN the future be released
at an earlier hou
Grand Jury and Graft.
Whether the grand jury will sue
coed in identifying Hyde with the graft
is an open question, No proof against
him has yet appeared, and the most
that may be said is that his unex-
planned and unannounced departure
from the country has attracted atten-
ton to him in a way that is adding
nothing to his reputation.
The suspicion exists that he prob
ably would not have gone had he been
satisfied that he could run the gaunt-
let of grand jury inquiry without harm.
His friends, however. say that his nat
ural timidity, which is rank %cowardico
at times, has controlled him in this
case, and that his going away is not
an evidence of. guilt. Meanwhile. how
ever, the inquiries now under way by
Professor Hayes and the grand jury
will probe a little deeper into Hyde's
personal case han otherwise they
would ave done.