Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-16
J. O. WRIGHT FILES CHARGES
Accuses G. G. Elliott and Others of
Technical Irregularities.
FOUR PERSONS IN THE LIST
Papers Placed in the Hands Of Dis
trict Attorney Wilson for
Investigation.

greSs1onal inquiry into the Florida Ever
glades, continued today by the House
committee on expenditure in the Depart
ment of Agriculture, by the fact that At
torney General Wickersham had recon-
mended grand jury consideration Of the
charges of transference Of public funds
against the recently dismissed officials of
the drainage bureau, Department Of Ag-
riculture
1t was the dismissal of c. G. Elliott,
chief drainage engineer and his assist
ant, A. D. Morehouse, that precip. tated
the congressional inquiry, it being charged
that they had been made victims of Flor
ida EverS ladies' land promoters, who did
not like their reports. +. f. Singleton,
chief accountant in the department, now
under suspension. and r p. Teele. for
merly an accountant, also are involved
in the papers sent by Mr.. Wickersham to
the local district attorney.
Alleged Technical Irregularities.
The charges against Elliott and the
others. involving alleged technical irregu-
larities, were filed by ]. o. Wright. for
merly an assistant to Elliott, who re-
ported favorably on the Everglades prof.
ect, and now is chief engineer of the
state of Florida.
Wright was on the witness stand at
the inquiry again today and was cross
examined at length. Solicitor McCabe OF
the Department of Agriculture filed with
the committee a full list Of congressman
who had been accompanied on speaking
tours by experts of the department.
The list was excluded by the committee,
however.
II only wished to correct the fmputa-
ton that the department was being used
for improper purposes said McCabe.
The list. it is said, indicated that the
tours had not by any means been con-
fined to campaign days.
Probable Inquiry by Grand Jury.
Further than to say that the papers in
the cases of c. G. Elliott, former head
Of the division of drainage investigation
of the Department of Agriculture: Mr..
Elliott's former assistant, A. d. More
house; f. E. Singleton, IAN accountant in
the division, and r. P Teefe, formerly
an accountant, but now in the census bu-
reau, have been sent to United States
District Attorney Clarence Wilson of this
city, with the recommendation that
charges against the four men be placed
partment of Justice declined today to
discuss the case. The charges which the
grand jury will be asked to Investigate
are transference of public funds by means
of false vouchers.
Representative small's Explanation.
Denial was made in the House today
sBy. Representative Small of North, Caro-
lima that he had ever used expert lectur-
ers OF the .Agricultufals Qepartment In his
district for political cafnpaign purposes.
Mr.. Small called attention to the state
ments made by Chief Engineer Wright Of
the federal drainage service, that his re-
port on the Everglades investigations
had been delayed because he was detail
ed to lecture in Mr.. Smalrs district.
'sThe imputations which may be- drawn
from the statement that there was the
slightest improperly in this, or that agri-
cultural lecturers were secured for my
section of the country for any purposes
connected with campaign matters is ut
terly unfounded and untrue said Mr..
Small. 80 :
1T Is strange. indeed. when repre-
sentative cannot utilize one of these gov
eminent departments for the betterment
of his people without the charge that 1t Is
being done with Interior purposes"
Declines to Halt Inquiry.
The suggestion that the investigation
Of the Everglades controversy be sus-
pended pending the action of the Depart
ment OF Justice before the District Of
Columbia federal grand jury was disre-
garded by Chairman Moss. Mr.. Higgins
made the suggestion when Henry E.
Davis. attorney for Morehouse and Ell
lott. objected to the identification Of a
report from the Department of Agricul-
ture being recorded as having been SUBJ
mitted by Mr.. Elliott. He said this was
the report OF the department.
Let me interrupt" said Solicitor Nc
Cabe. 1.-THE Department Of Agriculture
hos 10 NO <NfF4 oSol h.
glades. When it was discovered that the
engineers, Wright, Elliott and Goodrich,
disagreed no report was made and there
Is none on record AS official"
Nevertheless, the Attorney General has
a copy Of such a report of which he says:
This is the report that the department
stands for said Mr.. Davis.
Discussion of Elliott Circulars.
The proceedings during the morning
session were devoted to a discussion of
the Elliott circulars, to which the pro-
moters Of Everglades lands object Mr..
Wright discussed his differences with his
chief, c. G. Elliott. He admitted that
their difference was over a recommends
ton to be made and that Mr.. Elliott was
his superior and had authority to go over
his reports.
Representative Bathrick Of OHIO aues-
toned Mr. Wright's, assertion that the
Everglades land will become Adaptable
to cultivation.
Isn't It a fact that mules have to wear
snowsiroes to walk over this land?' he
asked.
You mean fiatboats, don't youg' asked
Mr.. Higgins.
M. Wright said this was the case once
but Is no longer the condition in some
parts of the Everglades.
The hearing was adjourned until Mon
day.
Fletcher Refutes Criticism.
When the Senate yesterday voted the
printing Of 1880 copies of the now ia
nous document relating to the Florida
Everglades, Senator Fletcher took oc-
casion to deny some published statements
regarding the report. He pronounced
untrue statements that the Wright report
printed in the Senate document was
report revised by Wright after he had
severed his connection with the Depart
ment Of Agriculture and took employ
ment under the trustees of the Internal
improvement fund of Florida.
There has never been any attempt,
said Senator Fletcher, to suppress any
reports or facts, having the proper au-
thenticity, regarding the Florida Ever
glades. On the contrary, he said, an eff
fort has been made to get the real facts
before the people Of the country.
Senator Fletcher admitted that the FL
lott circular rejecting on the Ever
giades, is not contained in the Senate
document on the Florida Everglades
Circ,,1ar Mot nRc,ol