The Washington herald., 1910-09-19
"HOTCHP0TCH."
Gossip Revived over Reported Re-
turn of John Hyde.

turn of John Hyde.
Editor The Washington Herald:
In your issue of September Il instant
occurs the reportorial statement that
John Hyde. former statistician OF the
Agricultural Department, IN a letter 70
his home in this city, says that he will
return here from Europe In October. This
statement has revived gossip caused by
his resignation and departure for Europe
during the cotton scandal here in 1905,
Mr.. Hyde rendered his resignation to
Secretary Wilson soon after the leak in
the cotton-reporting bureau was discov-
cred. His motive for this action has
never been made public"
have, Mr.. Editor, quite an abundance
of material touching this case. In a
daily paper of July IS. 1905. I published
some facts concerning Mr.. Hydes ex-
periences IN the agricultural division OF
the eleventh census and suggested some
things concerning the then pending cotton
investigation. Ny article was published
on the 18th OF July. The same day he
rendered his resignation, and il was ac-
eepted by the Secretary OF Agriculture
On Allu same uGgs All0 uidN4lAg hdSs VI
course. a matter of mere Official routine.
There was no motive for the haste.
On the 2lth of July city daily an
nounced that John Hyde had gone 10
England for a month or six weeks -
consult a London specialist relative 70
the cure OF carhuncle. Two things are
suggested; /. Why did he not consult a
specialist in America and avoid the ex-
pense and worry OF a trip TO Europe?
?. Why should the work of a specialist
consume more than five years? It was.
doubtless. serious "carbuncle."
Inasmuch as all the others implicated,
including Mr.. Holmes. this year paid a
fine of 5000 each. 1t is gratifying that
Mr. Hyde has concluded to return and
do likewise" Uncle Sam needs the
money. Final action in this case will be
watched with great interest. Additional
developments may be revealed.
The second ingredient in my hotch-
potch, Mr.. Editor. is the interest aroused
in the we'll question in this city Il is
generally conceded that Washington is
not a suitable place for sinking artesian
wells. The wells that were preserved in
1907 all contained a disagreeable and re-
pulsive iron ore that nauseates and dis.
gusts. The only water At for domestic
use or drinking is the pure kind that
filters through natures gravel beds. In
other words, II is such as was destroyed
on Sixth street, between F and G: at the
corner of Third and Indiana avenue. and
Tenth and K. l mention these because
used them all. They were pure. ex-
cellent for drinking and cooking. and
patronized without any danger or evil
results. day and night. summer and
winter, by young and ole
In the next place. am pleased 10 note
the interest manifested in the question
Of vaccination. I was vaccinated sixty
years ago by my father. and never since
He used his penknife. Whether 1t
took" or not, 1 do not remember; I re-
member the sensation only.
AS superintendent of public schools and
as principal of normal schools, I never
had any difficulty with either smallpox
or scarlet fever. never had any vaccl-
nation performed. and never closed school
a single day for either in my life. II a
case developed. the board authorized me
personally 10 look after the matter. Z
simply requested the parents to keep
their children at home until further
notice.
never thought 1t wise 10 put into the
blood OF school children any sort OF