The Washington times., 1905-08-20
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
IN COTTON SCANDAL
Indictments Against Five
Persons ForetOld.
BEACH CAN GET HOLMES
Three Former Employees of Department
of Agriculture and Two Non
Residents Thought to Be Caught

Persons who claim TO be in the know
as TO the progress being made in the
probing of the cotton leak scandal have
expressed the opinion that there viii be
some interesting developments in con
neetion with it within the next week OF
ten days
No intimation has been given, how
ever, as to what shape the Developments
VIII take, whether 1T will be the appear
ance of Edwin Holmes, jr., upon the
scene of action or the calling before the
grand jury of witnesses able and ready
to give all the information necessary for
full explanation and exposition of
how the leak in the cotton report Oc-
CURED, and who are responsible for 1t.
District Attorney Morgan II. Beach,
IL is said, has his legal eye ON the ab-
sent Mr.. Holmes. and without a very
great stretch CT the arm of the Law can
place his hand upon him. Whether or
not Mr.. Beach viii extend his legal arm
in the direction OF Mr. Holmes is not
known. When he wants Mr. Holmes,
however, he knows where 10 find him
without much delay
Many Examined.
Last week a large number of the en-
plOyes of the Bureau 0f Statistics OF the
Department OF Agriculture were sum
moned by District Attorney Beach to
testify before the grand jury. Many
more Of them Will be called TO give evil
dence within the next few days.
The testimony of these witnesses is
being submitted TO the grand jury TO
show the method of routine work in the
statistical branch of the Agricultural
department The purpose of this evi-
dence Is to show by elimination, excIu-
sion. and deduction that it would have
been impossible for leak" 10 have
occurred where the usual method of
work in the department was followed
The testimony of these witnesses will
also show that the leak" was not the
result of an accident, but was purposely
caused by some one or more persons
who were interested in the fluctuations
Of the cotton market.
While there is little doubt that the
grand jury will return two kinds Of in
dictments. one for conspiracy ana the
other for attempting to bribe a Govern
nent official no one seems willing to
hazard an opinion as TO who will be
caught in the grand jury dragnet.
Five Indictments.
Without naming anyone, Il person who
has been keeping in touch with the
progress of the investigation expressed
the belief that the report of the grand
jury viii include indictments against
five persons. Three of these, it was
stated, will be former employees of the
Department of Agriculture and two
nonTesidents of Washington.
In this connection the opinion was
/ expressed that four persons, two Wash
| lHgtonians and two New Workers, will
be named in one Indictment charging
conspiracy and the other indictment
viii be against one person charging
/ attempt TO brbe.
There is also reason to believe that
, the work of the grand jury. so far as
the hearing of oral testimony is con-
cerned, Is very nearly finished. A great
! deal OF documentary testimony has
/ been submitted 10 the grand jury. how
! ever, and 1t viii take several days 10
! go over this with some one familiar
! with II and so segregate the relevant
! from the irrelevant matter.
This work, however, il is believed,
/ win not occupy the jury more than a
week after all the oral testimony has
| been heard. Taking everything into
/ consideration many persons express the
| belief that the grand jury viii make its
report to the court in the early part OF
/ next month