The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-08
THE COTTON REPORT LEAKS.
sECRETiRI WILSON DECIDES on
AN INVESTIGATION.
II YIN he Made by q Department Expert
and VIII BE TiiOro uGi,-This Decision
Is the Result OF Evidence Furnished by
Secretary CheatI,am OF Atlanta. Ga.

WASHINGTON, June 7--Secretary Wilson
CT the Department of Agriculture to-day
directed that an investigation lie made OF
the charges that some officer or officers
Of the Division Of Statistics had been guilty
Of furnishing to brokers in New YORK and
other persons interested advance inforna-
ton from the Governments reports on cot
ton acreage. This action followed con-
ference held late this afternoon between
Secretary Wilson and Richard Cheatham
OF Atlanta. Ga, secretary of the Southern
Cotton Asso ciation. The investigation will
be made by Department expert under
the direction OF Secretary Wilson The
name of the expert is withheld for the
present.
Secretary Wilson'S inquiry will be rigid
and thorough He has in his hands many
letters and affidav its submitted to him by
Secretary Cheatham tending to show. in
the opinion OF the latter, that there
have been leaks in the Department and
that some one in the Department 10 re-
sponsible for them Mr. Cheatham declined
to state whether names are mentioned
in the data which he filed with Secretary
Wilson. He also refused to make public
any OF the letters or affidavits. on the ground
to the Secretary. At the office Of the Score
tary the following statement was made
concerning the case
Secretary Wilson decided to make an
Investigation as result Of lntormatron
The Secretary will not make public at this
time the substance of the evidence now
before him: neither will he indicate whether
any officials are mentioned by name. That
is all that can be said on the subject AZ tins
time"
In discussing the subject tonight Mr..
Cheatham said;
II am of the opinion that the outcome
will be a great surprise in some quarters.
Secretary Wilson Il Interested. He was
the precautions that had been taken by him
to prevent leaks from the Division Of Statis-
tics. The evidence which unfolded to lnrr
was undoubtedly a surprise To my mind
It Ia complete and 1 expect to make the case
stick
Mr.. Cheatham had two conferences with
Secretary Wilson to-day. He went to the
Department this morning and was closeted
with Mr. Wilson for more than an hour.
This interview was unsatisfactory and
another one was arranged for thus afternoon
When Mr.. Cheatham came from the Office
OF Secretary Wilson the second tipe he
said that the Secretary had all the facts
before him nd had decided that they justi-
ded thorough inuuiry
The attention of Mr., Cheatham was
directed tonight to an interview with
Harvie Jordan, president OF the Southern
Cotton Association, in which he said that
MIR. Cheathans action before the Depart
ment Of Agriculture was not taken In behalf
Of the association. Mr.. Cheatham exhibited
telegram from Mr. Jordan which read
as follows:
IF you have discriminating evidence,
file it."
The telegram was signed Harvie Jordan.
president.
At the request OF Secretary Wilson. Mr.
Cheatham will remain in Washington day
or 30. Another conference will tie held at
the Department tomorrow, when the evil
dence will be nvassed by the Secretary
and Mr.. Cheatham. At the same time
comprehensive instructions will be given
the official who will have charge Of the in
vestigation.
In the absence Of Statistician John Hyde.
who has gone to Europe the Bureau of
Statistics is in charge Of Assistant Statis-
tician Edwin $. Holmes