New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-30
PRICE TWICE INDICTED
COTTON LEAK" CHARGES
Broker accused of Conspiracy and
Bribery in 1906.

Theodore H Price. cotton broker and oper-
ator. was indicted yesterday by the federal
grand jury in connection with the famous .-cot
ton report leak" of 1903. Two indictments were
handed down, one charging conspiracy to COM
nit offence against the United States and
the other bribery Of government official Mr.
Price at once surrendered himself. He was ar
raigned before Judge Hough. pleaded not guilty
and released in 5000 bail which was
promptly furnished. A preliminary hearing was
SET for June l9.
Indictments against three other persons We're
also voted by the federal grand jury but Henry
1 stimson, United States Attorney, refused to
make the names public In view, however of
thu fact that Edwin S. Holmes jr formerly as
sistant statistician of the Department Of Asri-
culture: Frederick A. Peckham and Moses Haas
were indicted yesterday by the grand jury Of
the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia
together with Price on a charge of conspiracy
in connection with the cotton leak scandal it is
presumed that the other indictments voted by
the local federal grand jury were against these
three men Holmes Peckham and Haas were
indicted in October of 1905 for conspiracy but
the jury which tried Holmes dsag greed and
Haas and Peckharn were never put on trial.
John D. Lindsay, counsel for Price issued the
following statement last night in behalf of his
client:
Theodore H. Price made the following state
nent in regard 70 the indictment handed down
in the so-called cotton leak" case. He said
that while an indictment was, of course. an eX-
ceedingly isagreeable experience undergo il
was an accusation and not proof and he is
aware that the government has considered it
necessary to take this action before the matter
became outlawed on June or thereabouts He
feels no doubt whatever of the issue.
The original cotton Leak charges. made some
three years ago. based on the statement
OF Van Ripper, the bucket shop operator and
self-confessed participant and beneficiary, with
others, OF the alleged cotton leak, who con-
Quoted his account with other brokers and not
with Mr. Price
Mr Price said that ever since he brought an
injunction suit against the New York Cotton
Exchange a year age, the dominant ring in
the exchange. who are his declared enemies
have moved every influence they could command
20 injure and cripple him, and have fostered the
present craze for indictments. and especially in
dictnents Of Wall Street men Mr.. Price says
that he is the objective point Of attack Of one
OF the most bitter trade ever prevailing in
this country, but that he is not unused TO fight
ing and proposes TO leave stone unturned to
vindicate his good name and discomft his enc
mics
Mr. Price saws that when the cotton Leak
case first became public he efnphatically s.
serted his innocence Of the charges made in the
Indictment of any kindred offence, and he
repeats this statement. which he trusts his
friends will accept, pending a decision of the
issue
AT q late hour last night none of the other
persons against whom indictments had been
voted had been taken into custody. although
Judge Housh ordered the issuance of bench war
rants the indictments were handed
down. It is understood that Holmes. Peckham
and Haas are outside of the jurisdiction Of the |
federal courts Of this district.
The cotton Leak scandal first cropped up in |
the spring Of 1906 when an assistant statistician
in the Department Of Agriculture was accused |
Of selling advance information concerning the !
II ra6 that +ir1oc
that Price had made q great deal Of money as |
z result Of getting this information. but he in
6icnantly denied the charge. Soon afterward |
Holmes Peckham and Haas We're indicted in |
Washington for conspiracy TO defraud the /
United States through the giving out Of advance
information Holmes, already mentioned, |
was tried. but the jury disagreed.
When requisirion proceedings were brought in |
this city against Peckham and Haas counsel |
raised the novel point that there was no such |
offence known TO the federal statutes miscon-
duct. although II is offence At common law
Judge Holt sustained this point and refused 10
sign the warrant for the removal of Peckharn
and Haas 10 Washington.
M Price has been at war With the members
Of the New York Cotton Exchange for the last
wear the result OF suit which he brought
aEainst the exchange 10 compel il TO modify its
methods Of classifying cotton for future deliv-
eTies on contracts The case was dismissed.
The changes recommended by Mr.. Price. which
were made the basis Of his suit, have been re-
Gently advocated by Herbert Knox Smith, Com
missioner Of Corporations in his report 20 Presi-
cent Roosevelt on the result Of his investigation
Of the cotton exchanges Of the country
leading members OF the New York Cotton
Exchange had no comment 10 make last night
&c TIC Indictment Of Nr Price