New-York tribune., 1905-07-19
HYDE QUITS UNDER FIRE
cotton scandal CRISIS.
Fight against Him, He Says, Has
Shortened His Life.

washington. July IS.-The resignation OF John
HYDE statistician and chief OF the Bureau OF
statistics OF the Department OF Agriculture. was
handed 10 Secretary Wilson to-day, and prompt
~ accepted. Wiett n. Hays. the Assistant Sec
retaTy OF Agriculture, has been placed in charge
OF the bureau temporarily and viii continue TO
act pending the investigation Of the cotton
scandal and until competent statistician is
found
MI Hydes withdrawal from the department
created wide interest Secretary Wilson and
other officials OF the department have stated that
Mr. Hyde has not been implicated in the irreg-
ula-1ties that resulted in the dismissal OF Edwin
5. Holmes. the associate statistician whom
Secret Service operatives charge with being
guilty OF giving 10 brokers advance figures OF
cotton crop statistics. II his letter TO the Sec
reta-y Mr. Hyde takes notice Of the fact that he
wiz be criticised for resigning under fire. and In
defence, says there has never been a time when
he was not under fire. He declares that or
ganizaron. meaning the cotton growers. is bent
upon getting him out OF the government service.
and that his health VIII not permit him to con-
tnue so unequal struggle.
de also said;
on every occasion have been vindicated- In
January 1908. was awarded $500 damages In
a libel suit against prominent firm Of cotton
brokers by jury OF their own friends and fsi
low citizens. These results have been very e =
flying 10 me. but I have the highest medical
aulhoTlly Tor me statement that the continued
hght upon me has already considerably short
ened my life.
Mr.. Hyde later. at his house. said that he felt
that he had cast OF ar immense burden from his
shoulders. Ee had fully intended to resign some
ur1e next autumn. he said, and. therefore he
had advanced his resignation only by a few
weeks Mr.. Hyde spoke Of how congenial the
work had been 10 him. notwithstanding its
F~E H.
having TO part from the efficient clerical force
IN the Bureau OF Statistics"
As regards the investigation now being con
ducred by the Distri ( Attorney, Mr.. Hyde said
that he wanted to assist IN every possible way,
and that even now thar he was out OF Office he
would. if called upon. be only TOO happy TO con-
tribute in any way his aid IN the investigation
In his letter accepting Mr.. Hyde's resignation.
Secretary Wilson said:
an II receipt OF your resignation as statisti-
clan OF this department In accepting IL I
cheer-ully testify 10 the ability with which you
have discharged The heavy and difficult duties
OF the ONCE since you were first appointed. The
accuracy Of your reports has been recognized by
the PUBIC generally, and am glad to be able
10 testify with regard TO the charges made
against The integrity Of the Bureau Of Statistics.
that no facts have been brought TO my attention
duplicating you In any way.
l am familiar with YOUR devotion TO YOUR work
and with the untring efforts you have made TO
render the bureau OF the highest service 70 the
growers. manufacturers and consumers Of farm
products IN our country. and regret that failing
health should compel you 10 bring your work 10
end.
There Is considerable speculation as TO the
probable successor Of AIr. Hyde. One name that
has been suggested is B ". Snow. Of Chicago,
stz1isrician for Wei known farm Journals and
once an assistant statisrician under J. r Dodge,
who was chief OF the bureau about twelve years
ago. Mr.. Dodge was in charge al the time the
present system OF gathering crop statistics was
devised Colonel Henry Hester. secretary Of tho
New-Orleans Cotton Exchange. in a converse
ton with Secretary Wilson. argued that the
salary paid by the department is inadequate to
get The right kind Of man for the place