The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-02
Former Drainage Experts Charged With Presenting
 False Vouchers
ELLIOTT CLAIMS
 TT IS PERSECUTION
Says Indictments Are Result of His Attitude Toward the Development of the. Everglades-Claims
 Agents Threatened Him

Washington, April 1.-Indictnents growing out of the Florida everglades An- vestigation were returned by the fede hl grand jury here today against c. c. El- Mctt, Allanson D. Moreh6use, Ray P. Teele and Frank E. Singleton.
 The defendants were charged individu- ally with having approved or presented false vouchers against the government. Elliott and Morehouse asserted the charges of technical violation of the law against them and their dismissal from the department were brought about by their opposition to eyerglade lands pro- motors.
 Elliott formerly was chief of drainage Investigations in the department of ag riculture; Morehouse was assistant chief; Teele formerly was an assistant chief of irrigation investigations, and Singleton an accountant.
 Singleton is under suspension.
 Wright Made Charges
 The charges were made to Secretary Wilson by J. O. Wright, formerly an as- sistsnt to Elliott in the department, but now chief drainage engineer of Florida.
 Wright, according to testimony at the recent congressional investigation. made a favorable report on the Florida ever glades.
 Elliott did not approve it. Wright re- signed and went to Florida and the re- port amended by Elliott eventually was suppressed by the tag of Secretary Will son being affixed. The secretary also d, 1o4+a hx, Elliott in which some facts relating to the everglades was made in answer To the letters of inquiry from thousands of investors In the various land schemes. Elliott testified recently that two land agents had threatened him in his office and in the presence of other officials if he insisted upon taking an unfavor- able view of the everglades. They also threatened to take the matter higher up he alleged Wright chargd that Elliott, Morehouse Singleton and Teele had tech nically violated the law in approving vouchers for a transference of public funds.
 The Charge Made
 In 1909 the appropriation for drainage work was exhausted. The work in hand was nearly finished and the officials borrowed money to complete 1t. paying back out of the next years appropriation by placing the lenders on the pay rolls.
 II was not charged that any of the defendants profiteA by the transaction nor that the government suffered ross
 Secretary Wilson dismissed Elliott and Morehouse and suspended Singleton Teele had resigned some time ago. So- licitor McCabe referred the matter to Attorney General Viekersham and today's indictments resulted.
 "The indictment against me Is neither surprise nor a matter of concern" said MT Elliott. "1t Is only another step in persecution the reasons for which are already known. to many and, u!lI in good time be apparent to all. I have clear conscience, and can afford to calmly await my vndication at the hands of the public when the facts become known I am content in and grateful for the assurance of my many friends throughout the country that their con fidence in me is unshaken and their loyal unimpaired."
 Carter Is Emphatic
 George Carter, clerk to the joint com mittee on printing, on the witness stand at the everglades hearing today, en- livened the proceedings by referring to previous testimony as absolutely false and untrue" At the conclusion of his statement he referred to the testimony of C. G. Elliott, in one particular, as a living statement
 "If you had made the remark about me-" interrupted Chairman Moss, there would have been a fight in about three minutes"
 "I withdraw the remark and apologize to the committed" said Mir. Carter "1f any other gentleman cares to take excep- ton to it, I will go outside
 MT Elliott the object of the remark. heard fl but said nothing. B. T. Galloway. chief of the bureau of plant industry of the department of ag- riculture, said he had not approved the bulletin prepared in the department on the everglades project.
 The last witness to be heard will be Secretary Wilson. He will take the stand Wednesday, and the committee will then heein considera ton of the report to be