Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-18
STRAIN TOO GREAT
SAYS THAT He HAS CONSTANTLY
BEEN UNDER ATTACK.
Does Not Think the Position Of Statis-
tician Worth the Fight Neces-
sary to Retain It.

John Hyde. a statistician of the AgricuI-
tural Department. today resigned his po-
sition. The resignation was Immediately
accepted by Secretary Wilson.
Assistant Secretary Hays has been de-
tailed to take charge of the statistical work
until the vacancy shall be filed.
In his letter to Secretary Wilson on the
subject Mr.. Hyde calls attention to the
TACT that ever since he has been at the
head of the statistical bureau he has
been under fire: that he has been in
vesttgated and acquitted on five different
occasions and that the strain under which
he has labored has already considerab bly,
shortened his span of life
In his letter accepting the resignation of
Mr.. Hyde the Secretary makes acknowl-
edgment of the latter's valuable services
Mr.. Hydes letter follows:
Mr.. Hyde's Resignation.
July IS, 1905.
Dear Mr. Secretary:
During the last four years. or since
succeeded in making the crop reports of the
department reasonably accurate and corre-
spondingly valuable to the agricultural and
commercial interests of the country my
administration of the Office l have the
honor to hold has been constantly under
fire from one side Of the market or the
other. Five times it has been investigated
and every occasion l have been vindi-
Gated. In January, 1903 / was awarded
$500 damages in libel suit against a
prominent firm of cotton brokers by jury
Of their own friends and fellow-citizens.
There results have been very gratifying to
me, but l have the highest medical author
ity for the statement that the continued
fight upon me has already considerably
shortened my life. AT the present time it
Is an accepted fact that powerful org an
ization is bent upon bringing about my re-
tirement by one means or another. Now
1 do not think the position l hold is worth
to fight necessary to its retention, and the
organization In question is welcome to
whatever satisfa ction it can derive from
my withdrawal from the unequal struggle.
If any of my friends think that ought not
to retire under fire 1 would have them re-
member that there is never time when
am not under fire. l have the honor there
fore to tender you my resignation of my ap-
pointment as statstician and chief Of the
bureau of statistics of this department.
with much appreciation of the uniform
courtesy and kindness you have shown me.
and the many tokens Of confidence l have
received from you. am.
(signed) JOHN HYDE
The Secretary's Acceptance.
Secretary Wilson wrote the following
reply:
July 10. 1905.
.Mr John Hyde, Statistician. Department
of Agriculture.
Dear Sir: am in receipt of your resig-
nation as statistician of this department.
In accepting it l cheerfully testify to the
ability with which you have discharged the
heavy and difficult duties of the office since
you were first appointed. The accuracy of
your reports has been recognized by the
public generally and / am glad to be able
to testify with regard to the charges made
against the integrity of the bureau or sta
tistics that no facts have been brought to
my attention duplicating you in any way.
II am familiar with your devotion TO
your work and with the untirfng efforts you
have made to render the bureau OF the
highest service to the growers. manufac-
turers and consumers of farm products. N
our country, and 1 regret that failing
health should compel you to bring your
work to an end
VERY truly yours
(SigneG JAMES WILSON, Secretary
1t has been known for some time that
while no charges involving Mr.. Hyde's per-
sonal integrity had been laid before Secre-
tary Wilson, there were still the best of rea-
sons why the head of the bureau of statis-
tics should retire from his responsible po-
sition The scandal in the bureau of statis-
tics although not personally involving Mr..
Hyde, occurred under his administration
and President Jordan and Secretary Cheat
ham of the Southern Cotton Association
have been working for the statistician'S re-
moval on the ground that he was careless
and incompetent. Cotton growers generally
will undoubtedly consider the retirement or
Hyde as In the nature Of another victory.