The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-08-19
CLEAN BILL OF
HEALTH IN REPORT
Florida Everglades Investi-
eating Committee Ex-
onerated Secretary.

Washington. Aug. 1e.-The Moss
committee today presented to the
house WE records of its Investigation
OF h Florida everglades charges and
subsequent inquiry into the conduct
of the drainage division of the depart
ment of agriculture. The reports
take up the charges that a certain
circular unfavorable to the sale of
everglades lands was suppressed in
the department of agriculture
through the influence Of real estate
operators. the relations between AS
sistant Secretary HAYES Of the de-
government employee. in land
, project at Lake Mattamuskeet. y. G.,
and the dismissal of c. G. Elliott and
\. ID. Morehouse from the drainage
division of the department on tech
nical charges involving the transfer
of government funds from one ac-
count to another.
Secretary Wilson escaped personal
%arraignment at the hands Of the COM
%lnittee in its findings on everglades.
The charges that the departments
policy toward the everglades was
characterized as vacillating, "most
un%fortunate' and having subjected
the department 70 much suspicion
and criticism.
Th" minority report. signed by Rep
rrscntative Sloan of Nebraska. who
said his views were approved by Rep
re~sentatiNes Higgins and Madden,
held that Secretary Wilson had act
ed within his discretion. Hayes was
condemned by the majority for his re-
lations with Wright in a North Caro-
lima project. while the minority held
his interest not for personal profit
but only because of his we'll known
desire to develop rural community
life.
Both majority and minority reports
agreed that the dismissal of Elliott
and Morehouse on technical charges
was lover severe discipline"
No real criticism of Secretary Will
son was contained In the majority re-
port. the burden o fcriticism being
laid on Assistant Secretary Hayes.
The minority report, on the other
hand, acquitted the latter OF the
charges that he '%despised all re-
straint and attempted to capitalize his
dend from official opportunity"
The everglades investigation arose
through the charges that certain re-
ports prepared by government engi-
neers had been withheld from publ
cation, with he inference that such
action was in the interest of land
dealers. G. G. Elliott. chief Of drain
age, and Assistant Engineer More
house. who were brought into the
controversy. were found by the COM
mittee to have made an arrangement
swamp lands that was in violation OF
the law, but inasmuch as there was
no profit intended In it the commit.
tee declared that the men had beer
too severely disciplined by agriculture
department officials.
Assistant Secretary Hays connection
with the matter arose through a pri-
waite arrangement ne made with j.. O
Wright, former drainage engineer. fol
the handling of some drained land il
North Carolina which did not belong
to the government.
The majority report cited Wright's
admissions of his familiarity with rea
estate promoters and of accepting de
velopment company stock and fees
while engaged officially in making sur
Neys to reclaim land. 1t declared thai
while thus engaged as a paid salesman
and ar interested purchaser he APP.
peared before the North Carolina leg
islature as an official of the depart.
ment Of agriculture ostensibly to ad.
wise in the framing of drainage legis.
lation.
He later boosted, the report said, OF
securing the passage of d specia
statute there under which he was en-.
abled to close a deal. His transac-
tions were denounced by the majorit,
as repugnant to a high sense Of hon.
or and integrity. which would justify
dismissal If he were still in the gov
eminent service. The report added
that his transactions were not brough,
to the knowledge of his superiors OF
the drainage division.
The majority report cited testimony
regarding frequent conferences of AS
~sistant Secretary Hays and Engineer
Wright. who has sinc become state
drainage engineer of Florida. concern
ing the purchase and sale at a prof,
OF the bed of Lake Mattamuskee. y. c
Mr.. Wright, the majority declared. die
not seem to realize the improperiety o.
his own conduct. In view of his con.
1dential relations with Mr.. Hays the
majority found it difficult to escape