The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-25
Considered the Best Step.


the New York Herald sends his paper
the following:
Having completed his preliminary
investigation INFO the leakage of cot
ton crop reports from the Bureau OF
Statistics of the Department of Agri-
culture, United States District Attorney
Morgan II. Beach has called together
the Federal grand jury of the District
of Columbia. and it will begin its sit
tings at once. This step has been
approved by Attorney General Moody
and Solicitor General Hoyt
1t would seem that witnesses en-
ployed in the Department of AgricuI-
ture might be overawed and intimf-
dated or withhold information for, fear
they would be dismissed from their
position. 1t was believed that in no
other way would it be possible to get
at the exact truth. Mr.. Beach also be-
lieved that he had proceeded so far
that the case was in proper shape to
be laid before the grand jury.
Subpoenas were issued for the New
York witnesses last Thursday and
placed i'm the hands of United States
District Attorney Bennett, of New
York Several persons in New York
have been summoned
Many witnesses to be Heard.
A great many witnesses living in
retary Wilson will be asked to go be-
fore the grand jury Every employe
OF the Bureau of Statistics is liable to
subpoenae, and, testifying under com
pulsion, they will be free from reprls-
ais by the department If they tell the
whole truth and disclose everything
they know touching the cotton leak.
Other officials of the department viii
be subpoenaed, and there may be a
complete turning over of the entire
department before the grand jury Is
convinced ii is impossible of all ii
ought to know.
Members of the grand jury had to
be brought from their summer homes
at the seaside and In the mountains.
They were widely scattered and were
collected with great difficulty.
1t is said that while the inquiry was
pIimarily directed toward discovering
the criminality of those who We're en-
gagged in selling government reports
and in Juggling government figures for
their personal profit it was probable
he would have to go pretty extensive
ly into other divisions and bureaus
Mr. Beach has issued a card to the
press. telling of the calling of the
grand Jury. 'to consider. among Other
things, certain Criminal practices al
legged to exist and to have existed III
one of the executive departments.
The card gave warning that TO inquire
of member of the grand jury, or OF
a witness, either under subpoena, OF
after discharge, as to anything tram
spiring before that body constituted
contempt 1t was added that no Other
statement would be made until the
grand jury concluded it's deliberations
and reported in open court.
Several Arrests Likely.
Attor,eu Caparal MaoIN aynaoted
here TO give some personal attention
TO the prosecution. The administra
ton is interested to learn that the in
veStigation is likely to lead to the ar
rest of more persons than Mr.. Holmes
and of greater Importance than Mr..
Holmes. Having been given the most
explicit instructions to go to the bot
tom and prosecute everybody who
might be guilty, be he high or low, Mr..
Beach has been moving with great ac-
tVity and energy.
Edwin S. Holmes, Jr,. is again alb
sent from Washington. He left on
the noon train of the Pennsylvania
Railroad for Chicago last Friday. Mr..
Beach knew of his contemplated de-.
parture.
When the district attorney took hold
of the case Mr. Holmes had had full
five weeks warning that trouble might
be in store for him. Mr.. Beach has
ascertained that at the time the De-
partment of Justice began its investi
CATION Mr.. Holmes had a large amount
in cash in Washington.
Some odd things have been discov
cred about the liberality of John Hyde,
former chief statistician. Mr.. Hyde
had i'm his office one who is described
as a 'very clever person" 1t was
learned that Mr. Hyde had loaned her
a large sum. His salary was SO. 500 a
year. The employe borrowed from
Mr. Holmes on note endorsed by Mr..
Hyde.
District Attorney Burnett, of New