The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-19
The Cotton Crop Figures NeI
 Jugg|ed by Holmes
BROKER TELLS OF THE LEAK
Van Riper, Still on the Stand, Relates Conversation With Former Gov
 ernment statistician on
 Trial at Washington.


 Washington, June 1S.-In his cross-ex- animation of l.. c. Van Riper the prin- cipal witness in the trial of former Asso- clate Statistieian Edwin s. Holmes, Jr., of the agricultural department. Attorney Worthington sought to develop the fact today that Mir Van Riper's dlsappoint- ment over his failure to realize profit on his speculation supplied the motive for his complaint to Secretary Wilson ont of which grew the charges against Holmes which caused his discharge. Van Rlpcr admitted his disappointment and his feel Ing against Haas, the alleged intermedi- ary, but contended that he harbored no resentment against Holmes and declared that in his exposures he was actuated only by a desire to promote the public welfare.
 Mir. Van Ripers direct examination was completed and his cross-examinat ton well entered upon. He will resume the witness stand tomorrow.
 When the trial of Edwin S. Holmes. Jr.. for divulging information as to crop re- ports before being made public was re- stunned in Judge staffords court today, l.. c. Van Riper, the New York broker con- tinued his testimony, taking up his story with relation to payments to Peckham. Haas and Holmes, repeating much of what he had said yesterday, but adding one item of s25,OoO paid to Peckham.
 Being questioned concerning the divi- sion of the profits realized on the cotton gnners' report for December, 1904, Van Riper said there was $l3,071 to be distrib- uted and that this sum was divided into four parts. Tilfs division had taken place Dec. 29. 1904. at hotel in New York, where he and Peckham had gone to meet Holmes and Haas. His share of the amount was SlO,707, but he had been gi,'eu si6,sO0 because they could not make the change.
 In response to questions from MT. Beach the witness said Holmes had talked with him concerning his mines in Idaho. IIa had first spoken of them in St Louis as claims but later Haas had come into his office, saving to him that he had d contract for him to sign that he might show as an explanation as to where he had gotten so much money.
 No Money for Mines.
 Did pay him any money for the mnes?"
 'I did not"
 Did Holmes ever talk with you as to what would happen to him if it was known that he was giving out this infor- mation?"
 "IIe did In December he said nothing could happen to him; that he had had legal advice and knew there was no law covering the case"
 Van Rlper also said that Holmes had told him that on former occasion in 1903. when there had been leaks in the report, he had gone to the White House to assure the President the system was perfect and had received the Presidents congratulations on it's excellence.
 Did MT. Holmes tell you at that time whether there was any Justification for the suspicion there was a leak?"
 He said ther was. He told me he had furnished the figures to Price and related how Haas had gone back and forth sev- eral times between him and Price in an effort to have the approaching report manipulated so as to suit Prices con dition. The outlook was for report showing a production of 10,250,O00 bales. Price was "short" and said these figures would not help him and pleaded to have the amount reduced below ten million if the amount could not be n1ade higher so that he could take the other side. Holmes had said that 1t could not possibly be made lower than 1020O,OO0 bales. but Price had insisted and the figures were made to conform to Prices requirements.
 IIe-said that afterwards effort was made at Holmes suggestion to get an outside place for Ststistician Hyde in order that Holmes could be promoted to the cihef position in the office.
 Price Met Hyde.
 With this end in view the witness said that Haas had told him that Price met Hyde, but did not like him. and it was then arranged early in 1905 that Hyde should be sent to Europe to remain away four months to report on conditions, which arrangement was made and Hyde sent to Europe.
 Hyde then told me that Holmes woult be the head of the bureau and we would have everything our own way" said the witness.
 Did Holmes ever tell you how he got his advance information?" asked inc governments special attorney, changing the line of questioning.
 He did, was the response.
 He said that he had access to the re- ports of the special agents and the state agents. and that as these were the only reports that received attention, and he was quick at figures. he had no difficulty in getting results.
 Van Riper was then cross examined by MT. Worthngton for the defense. He be- gan with series of question concerning transac ction of December, 1904. when $l67.- GOO was realized for the combination. Wit ness said he had acted entirely on Haas information that the report would be very bearish." and that Haas had as- sured him that Holmes was the source If this knowledge. Mir Worthington dealt upon facts shown that they had begun to sell early as November 10 but the witness responded that the assurances were very positive. But" he said, Tin addition we relied upon fact that in case it were wrong. we were to be notified in time to save ourselves
 Then you had that assurance?"
 'We had. We were to have positive information each month the day before the annAsTance of the cotton report.
 1.. .aess said in reply to questions by MT. Worthington. that Holmes had told him that Hyde always accepted hts conclusion for the monthly report
 Then. why did you wait to get rid of Hyde?"
 For fear he would fail us at some time"
 Asked if he had ever heen Indicted