The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-04
WILSON DEFENDS
HIS TMEHT
Secretary OF Agriculture Presents
His Version OF Suppressed
Everglades Report
HE ORDERED 1T DISCONTINUED
Gotten Up by Young Man 1t
Was Nothing to Be
Proud Of"

Westminster, April a.-secretars- Of
Agriculture James Wilson. whose atu-
tude toward the Florida everglades
drainage project resulted In an In
cestiGatiou Of the subject by the
House Committee on Expenditures In
the Agricultural Department, day
defended the departments actions iii
connection with reports on the ever
gladcs. He denied cuteg Critically and
In detail that any one had appros ched
him either directly or indirectly with
any proposal to suppress any depart
rnent information on the subject with
an Improper motive. Tho excerpt OF
Major j. Q. Wrights favorable report
ON the everglades. which has been
| used BY land companies in selling their
lands, MIR. Wilson said, had been
given out without his consent. As to
the department. circular. which WAS
| suppressed, the secretary said 1t was
lin defiance OF the authority of the
department" that il was issued and
the department."
Secretary Wilson cnlivened the pro-
ceedincs with some Scottish humor.
and paid his respects TO Representa-
lives Clark and Buthr.ck, who put the
Investigation afooJ. Tine circular which
was suppressed, Secretary Wilson said.
was nothing to be proud Of and
nothing TO reflect credit on the de-
partment.p
1T was gotten up by young man.
said thu secretary. land what's the use
of finding fault with young man. ]
WAS provoked and ordered IL discon-
tinued. Representative Clark called on
me and wanted to know why. I was
kind to Mr.. Clark. but his testimony
TT ,i,,
agreed upon, and would not contra
dict a WITNESS who had agreed on his
| testimony with 100 per cent. for accu-
racy."
Representative Bathrick asked a
question.
Who is this mani" demanded secre-
| tary Wilson.
Representative Bathrick. of Ohio,
replied the chairman.
"Oh. sec" responded the secretary.
This is the man who correspondent
with me about his potato ranch in
/, Florida. May I suggest that ii Mr..
| Bathrick had followed UP his potato
farm in Florida he might have become
| public bsnefactor?"
Mr. Bathrick protested that this was
not pertinen, 10 the inquiry
Il merely wanted to talk potatoes
TO YOU" responded the secretary.
naiveiy. and the committee siniled at
the way Mr. Bathricks interests in
Florida had been gotten into the rec
ord
At the conclusion of Mr. Wilson's
testimony the Everglades investigation
hearings were adjourned The COM
nittec will now formulate its report.
Change In Reports Proposed.
Washington, April 3.-Tho Senate
Committee on Agriculture to-day or
| dcred favorably reported bill nitro
duced ny Senator Smith. of South Car
olina, which would require the d.
rector Of the Census. In connection
duction. 10 publish the domestic and
foreign consumption Of cotton of
American production: the surplus held
by cottCs manufacturers OF the United
States and the exports.
The House bill directing the Score
tarv of Agriculture to report in July
instead OF June each year the acreage
planted to cotton was ordered favor
ably reported by the Senate Commit
tee OF Agriculture today.
would Limit Injunctions.
Washington. April 3..---Domocratic
leaders OF the House Judiciary Com
mittee to-day agreed TO report bill
relating to restraining orders and in
juhc,ions, In accordance with the d.
reotion OF the Democratic platform
! adopted at the Denver convention in
1905.
The bill would provide that no IN
junction, whether introductory or per-
without previous notice and an OPP
portunity TO be heard on behalf OF the
enioincd. with certain exceptions.
Under the terms of the bill 1t mus.
appear TO tho satisfaction OF the court
from tho evidence shown that ;mmc-
-