The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-19


 put in charge of the bureau temporarily and will continue to act pending the in- vestigation of the cotton scandal until a competent statistician is found
 MT. Hyde's withdrawal from the depart ment created wide interest. Secretary Wilson and other officials of the depart ment have stated that MT. Hyde has not been implicated in any manner in the irregularities that have resulted in the dismissal of Edwin s. Holmes. the asso- ciate statistician, whom secret service men charged with being guilty of giving the brokers advance figures of cotton crop statistics. In his letter to the secretary, MT. Hyde takes notice of the fact that he will be criticized for resign ing under fire and in defense of himself says there has never been time when he was not under fire. He then declared that organization, meaning the cotton growers Is bent upon getting him out of the government service, and that his health will not permit him to continue so unequal a struggle.
 Pay ls Inadequate.
 There is considerable speculation as to fle probable successor Ol Ilyut OlAC name that has been suggested is B. w Snow of Chicago, statistican for well known farm journal, and once an assist ant statistician under J. s. Dodge, who was chief of the bureau about twelve years ago. MT. Dodge was In charge at the time the present system or gaining crop statistics was devised. Col Henry Hester. secretary of the New Orleans cot ton exchange in conversation with Sec 1nrtandad that the salary maid by the government is inadequate to get the right kind of man for the place
 Mir. Hyde's Letter.
 Following Is MT Hyde's letter or resig- nation and Secretary Wilson's reply: ..United States Department of Agricul- ture Bureau of Statistics, Washington. July IS. 1905. ,.Dear MT. Secretary: During the last four years, or since l succeedeo III Inah ing the crop reports of the department reasonably accurate and correspondingiy valuable to the agricultural and com mercjal interests of the country, my ad- ministration of the office. l nave the honor to hold, has been constantly under fire from one side of the market or the other. Five times 1t has been investi- gated and on every occasion l nave peeh vindicated. In January, 1908. l was
 
 against a prominent firm of cotton bro kers by a jury of treir own friends ana fellow citizens. These results have been very gratifying to me. but l have the highest medical authority for the state ment that the continued fight on me has already considerably shortened my lire. "At the present time it Is an accepted fact that a powerful organization Is bent ,,pon bringing about my retirement by one means or another Now, l do not think the position I hold Is worth the frht necessary to it's retention and the orranIzation in question Is welcome 10 whatever satisfaction 1t can derive from my withdrawal from the unequal strug- gle If any of my friends think that ought not to retire Under fire. l would have them remember that there Is never a time when I am not under fire.
 T have the honor. therefore. to tender YOU herewith my resignation of my ap- nointment as statistician and chief of the bureau of statistics of this depart ment.
 with much appreciation for the uni- form courtesy and kindness you have shown me and >of the many tokens Of confidence I have received from you. l am most respectfully yours, Hon James Wilson, Secretary of Agri- culture"
 Secretary Wilson Replies. ''Mr. John Hyde. statistician. Depart ment of Agriculture:
 "Dear sir-I am in receipt or your rcs-
 
 scontInued on Second Paae)