The Washington herald., 1912-02-17
WILSON READY TO
ASSIST ELLIOTT
Secretary of Agriculture Gives
Statement Denying knowledge
of Deficit in Division.

That Il was unnecessary for C. G. El.
Mott former head Of the division OF
drainage investigation OF the Depart.
ment OF Agriculture. 10 call upon outsld.
ers for financial assistance in making uE
deficit In the appropriation for his de-
partment. as it is alleged he did, wa.
stated by Secretary Wilson last night
Secretary Wilson further declared that
had Elliott come to him and told him
OF how matters stood he would have
found a remedy for 1t.
Secretary Wilson's statement comes in
the form OF a denial that the Depart.
ment OF Agriculture countenanced OF
knew Of the methods alleged to have
been used by the chief drainage en-
Eineer in Strengthening out his accounts
for work done in the Florida Everglades
These alleged practices have resulted In
recommendation being made to United
States District Attorney Clarence VIII
son that the grand jury take cognizance
OF the Irregularities said TO exist.
Made Signed Statements.
The statement of the Secretary OF Ag-
riculture also brings out the fact that
Elliott, A. d. Morebouse. Elliott's former
assistant, and F. e. Singleton, an sc-
countant in the division, made signed
statements acknowledging the transfer
ence Of public funds by malse vouchers
These statements first were placed in
the hands OF Secretary Wilson and then
were forwarded to Attorney General
wickersham, who In turn sent them to
the United States district attorney with
recommendation that they be present
ed to the grand jury.
1t is charged that Elliott ran short OF
funds at the close of the fiscal year
1909, and in order to make up the deficit,
secured money from man named Will
kinson, agreeing that Wilkinson should
be placed upon the pay roll until such
time when he should have gotten back
the money advanced. Secretary Wilson
declared in his statement that he knew
nothing of the shortage, and then said
in part:
IF Elliott had come to me and told me
Of the condition Of affairs 7 would have
found a remedy for II. II necessary, 1
would have PUT all the men on the pay
roll Of the division of drainage investiga-
ton on furlough pending the operation
OF the appropriation OF the current fiscal
year. These men did not tell me, how
ever. but. on the contrary. and according
to their statements. they got certain men
to advance money to carry through the
deficit under the agreement that they
should be taken care OF on the pay roll
during the next fiscal Yeas appropria-
tion. which was done, according to
signed statements made by Elliott, More
house. and Singleton"
Names Suppressed.
From an oficisl OF the Department OF
Agriculture It was learned last night
that afidsvits are in the possession Of
Secretary Wilson showing that Wilkin-
son apparently was led into the arrange
ment by suggestions from Elliott.
Investigation Of the Everglades land
scandal by the House Committee on Ex-
penditures in the Agricultural Depart
ment was temporarily sidetracked yester-
day morning while the committee dis
cussed the proposition Of whether the
names OF the members Of Congress who
are alleged to have utilized the services
OF department employees in campaign
years should be permitted to go into the
record. Solicitor Mccabe. Of the depart
ment, had the list, with about forty
names on it, all ready, but the commit
tee finally decided that the names should
not be made public.
Representative Small, of North Caro-
lima. rising to question of personal priv
ilege In the House, after the committee
adjourned, vigorously denied that he had
ever used Agricultural Department en-
ployes who were expert lecturers in his
district for political campaign purposes.