The sun., 1905-08-02
PRESIDENT WANTS TO PUNISH
TALKS OVER COTTON SCANDAL
WITH ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

VIII Probably UecOenmend Cnangcs w
Statutes to Cover Cases Of Dishonest
Government EmpiOyees-Men Con.
cerned in Cotton Leak May Essapc.
OYSTER BAY, N. Y, Aug. l.--Attorney'
General William II. Moody arrived here
this morning on the Dolphin. on which he
had been cruising for week past. He slept
on board the yacht, and went to 6agamore
Hill before 10 o'clock. His visit, following
90 closely upon that Of Secretary Wilson, Il
significant. IT has been expected that no
would come here for conference With
the President on the legal aspect OF tho
disclosures In the Department OF Agri.
culture.
But said Mr.. Moody. in reply 10 =
question. neither the cotton investigation
nor the nitro-oulture matter Is In such
shape that can talk to you about II.
There Is no doubt that one point scheduled
for discussion in this conference, which
Is going on tonight. is the case OF DR.
George I. Moore, the plant Psychologist
now pending before the Department OF
Justice. Secretary Wilson practically
admitted that he pointed out to the Piesi-
dent that DR.. Moore is poor hand at
business. and that he didn't know he ought
not to have held stock In the nitro-culthre
company so long as he was an employee
Of the Department. Secretary Wilson said
he doubted n the Government had case
against Moore.
"Ths public" said Mr.. Moody to-day,
'is too ready to declare certain transactions
to be illegal. Because thing happens
to be wrong 1t does not necessarily follow
that any laws have been broken. Our
Federal statutes. unfortunately, do not cover
all classes Of wrongdoing.'
The Presidents wish is to take up the
matter Of revising the statutes. 30 far a.
possible. at the next extraordinary session.
30 that guilty steamboat inspectors. delin-
quent excursion boat owners and all man.
ner OF wrongdoers in the Government
employ will not get of scotfree. II Is
rumored that trust legislation and insur-
ance legislation will also be discussed at
this conference.
A telegram to which Secretary Wilson
referred yesterday was received and made
public by the President to-day. 1t is siGned
by the chairman Of the National Board OF
Trade committee OF Philadelphia. The tele-
gram reads:
"The investigating and advisory com
rnittee Of Government crop reporting APP
pointed by the National Board of Trade.
an impartial, unprejudioed body Of men
representing all sections OF the United
States, are familiar with the work OF the
departments under Secretary Wilson, and
the great practical. substantial results to
the nation OF his administration. His
rugged, sterling integrity commands the
respect and admiration OF all good people.
No true patriot with an eye single to the
service and honor Of his country will take
advantage of recent disclosures 10 sug-
gest that he should resign. Do not forget
interested motives have made the section
these men represent denounce all Govern
ment reports that did not favor them.
Their attitude on ginners reports illustrates.
Impartial, Trustworthy, public spirited men
are ready to cooperate with the Secretary
for broad and comprehensive reorganiza-
tion Of all crop reporting and statistical
work and suggest safeguards and penalties
to insure as far as possible honesty and
integrity in the future"
Secretary Moody will leave on an early
train Tomorrow morning.