New-York tribune., 1907-06-21
THE "COTTON LEAK TRIAL
secretary UHson Says He Meier
GaUc AdUancc Information

washington. June 2o.-Beginnng with Secretary
Wilson, the Criminal Court TO-DAY, hoard .be toe
umony Of a number of witnesses in the trial of
+ . fioImes. jr., on the charge of conspirng to
.''uu 'he government by divuging confidential
'''a''oh concerning the cotton crop The Sec
fetary said that he had not given out advance in
formation received by the bureau Of statistics but
maintained his right make estimates of his own
ana give them out at his pleasure. L. H Mercer
d New York cotton broker. gave the facts rela-
i've to his partnership with F. A. Peckham but
declared that he knew nothing Of the interest of
hoirnes' Haas, Peckham or Van Ripper in the con-
cer'. Mr. Van Ripper finished his testimony. and
Assistant Secretary Hays of the Department or
Agriculture. told of the preparation of the crop
report for June, 1905. Mr.. Worthington made the
point that all the deals in cotton had been merely
speculative and declared that they did not CORE
spond with the indictment. which charges "a con-
spiracy to buy and sell cotton"
You are beirg impeached Mr. Secretary was
the comment made by Mr.. Beach, special prose-
cutting attorney.
Van Ripper had been asked TO stand aside the
beginning OF the days session, and Secretary VIII
son had been recalled in order that he might he
asked concerning newspaper interviews in which
he had made predictions concerning the crops. lie
said he could not have made some Of the state
ments attributed to him because they did not IN
dicate real conditions but he covered most of the
points by saying that while he did not remember
making the statements at any specific time he had
no disposition TO contradict them. Mr. Worthing-
ton was pressing him relative 10 an interview at
tributed To him in Chicago last May concerning
the condition of the crops.
You want me to swear to something that is
not just So" said the witness
No. Mr.. Secretary replied the attorney. Il am
just laying the foundation for other Witnesses
It was then that Mr. Beach interjected his re-
mark. 1t called forth a denial and protest from
Mr.. Wcrthington and an admontion from the court
MI Beach not TO interfere again.
Mr.. Beach asked only one question on redirect
TN
any time give out in advance Of the date OF OIL
cal publication anything coming to you through
the bureau Of statistics
Never" was the emphatic response and the
Secretary excused
William Y. King. superintendent Of the New
York Cotton Exchange. told of the election IN lS'
of Frederick a Peckham a member of that or
ganization. He said that the government reports
frequently affect the cotton market. but at other
times the reports fall fiat. In reply TO Mr. worth
ington. Mr.. King said a personal prediction by the
Secretary of Agriculture would not atfect tn" mar
ket.
Assistant Secretary Hays said the cotton report
for June. 1905. was prepared by Statlstciah h!ue
and Holmes was present adviser. The latter
he noticed advocated general reduction OF inc
percentage as the reports from the various states
were canvassed in preparing the final figures me
general result was a compromise out lHere were
some reductions.
Mr.. Mercer. testfying to his partnership Win WI
Peckhanl in 1904 said that Peckham supplied va
ca capital He knew of no other partners thail
Peckham I'm the firm. and when the slde agree
Inents between Holmes. Haas y an Klper ana
Peckban relative to their respective interests We're
exhibited. he said he had never before seen them.
He testified to various sums of money paid to Van
Riper on account OF cotton deals made for him
There was payment of $4,000 In DeceTnher
1904 and another Of $4,000 few weeks later te
said that on OCCASION Van Ripper had given him
advance information the cotton report which he
had found be approximately correct
When Mr. Mercer testified that all his business
was speculative. and that he had never actually
bought sold pound OF cotton the prosecution
objected TO the line Of inquiry, but without sue
cess The Indictment charges combination To
buy and sell cotton" said Mr.. WorthinEton. and
l propose show that cotton was bought or
sold and that II these were engaged in any
thing they engaged IN specuating and gam
bling"
show it," said the court, and lIr. Worthington
proceeded with line Of questions 70 bring out the
fact that there IS little actual dealing in cot
ton on the floor Of the exchange.
The trial adjourned until Monday.