Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-30
HINTS OF SCANDALS
Agricultural Department to
Be Investigated.
A THOROUGH INQUIRY
RUMORS REGARDING A BOSTON
CONCERN.
Dr Moore's Case to Be Taken UP by
the Department of Justice-Secre-
tary Wilson's Attitude.

The Agricultural Department SNOWFALL is
rolling down hill and growing bigger with
every revolution. Hardly a day passes
without some additional light being thrown
on the scandalous condition of affairs in the
department, and such facts as have become
public property in the last forty-eight hours
have only served to indicate that the end
is not even in sight.
From a number of previously discredited
allegations laid before Secretary of Agricul-
ture Wilson little more than a month ago,
and having to do merely with one bureau,
the scandal has spread until it is claimed
that only the most complete and searching
investigation, which will go to the bottom
of every charge and convict or acquit every
official against whom suspicion has been
directed, will restore the confidence OF the
public.
No Doubt Of an Investigation.
There is no longer any doubt that this
investigation will be made. The bureau OF
statistics will of course be investigated
and reorganized. This has been 1ore-
gone conclusion ever since the secret serv-
ice operatives handed to Secretary wilson
their report on the cotton leak, which re-
suited in the dismissal of former StatlSt-
week ago Secretary of Agriculture Wilson
denied that a general investigation or the
department was necessary or Wouio pc
made. That statement was Undoubtedly
made in good faith, the Secretary believing
that in uncovering the cotton crop report
scandal everything of fraudulent nature
in his department had been revealed
But the forced designations of Statistlclan
HYDE of his stenographer, Mrs. Burch. ana
of DR.. George T. Moore-the latter because
of his connection, while an officer OF the
department, with nitro-culture company
have indicated what sort OF condltlonS may
be found in other branches OF the Agrlcui-
tural Department and made 1t certain that
an exhaustive investigation would be prose-
cuted.
Investigating a Boston Concern.
1t has been learned that a Boston con-
Germ. which has been highly Endorsed by an
official of the Agricultural Department, and
which is likewise understood to have re-
ceived a letter of recommendation from
Secretary Wilson, has been under investi-
CATION by the Post Office Department for
more than a month.
Officials in Washington are exceedingly
reticent on the subject, but it is understood
that the concern in question has its head
quarters in California, with offices in Bos-
ton and elsewhere; that its scheme has to
do with agricultural matters, and that on
the strength of the recommendation made
by the official of the Agricultural Depart
ment in question, and on the letter of IN
dorsement said to have been innocently
written by Secretary Wilson, considerable
stock has been sold in farming communt-
ties throughout the country.
According to what little can be learned
here as to the investigation that has been
made the stock in the company in. question
is worth but a fraction OF it's selling price,
and there appears to be grave doubt wheth-
or not the company was not organized for
the sole purpose of selling stock, and not
as set forth, for the purpose of conducting
the agricultural scheme in question
Rumors of Other Scandals 81
Rumors of scandals in other bureaus of
the Agricultural Department have been fly
ing around thick and fast in the past few
days but no definite allegations in support
of them have been laid before Secretary
Wilson BY those familiar with the situa-
ton, however. it is believed that the rev.
Citations of the future will more than over
shadow those that have already been made
1t has been persistently reported of late
that Secretary of Agriculture Wilson in
tended to resign. one rumor going so far as
to indicate that his resignation had already
been forwarded to President Roosevelt at
oyster Bay. This latter report, however, is
entirely inaccurate.
Secretary Wilson. when asked as to the
truth of these reports, characterized them
all as malicious lies.
View of Mr.. wilson's Friends.
1t is the opinion of persons in position to
know that Mr.. Wilson will not remain at
the head of the Agricultural Department
long after the investigation has been COM
pleted Even some of Mr. Wilson's friends
point out that he would hardly wish to re-
main at the head of department which
under his regime found to have become
honeycombed with irregularities and fraud.
There has been no one who has even init
mated anything wha tsoever against Secre-
tary Wilson's personal integrity and abso-
lutte sincerity, but his critics and even some
of his friends contend that he should have
kept q sharper lookout upon the various bu-
reaus under him to prevent his subordinates
from abusing their power, as the inquiry up
TO date has shown that they haYe done.
DR.. Moore's Case.
The Department of Justice tomorrow will
take up the case of DR.. Moore, with view
to determining whether criminal proceed
ings against him will lie. 1t is not believed
that he be indicted. but an effort will
be made to find some additional evidence in
the case which will warrant bringing 1t be-
fore the grand jury for consideration.