The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-02
LAND PROMOTERS
BACK OF TROUBLE
Indicted Men Blame Them Tor
Florida Everglades ".Persc-
cution."
NEW TURN IN SCANDAL
Former Employees Of Department
OF Agriculture Must Face
Charges.

Washington, April l.-Ind,ctmen,s
growing out OF tho Florida everglades
Investigation in the Department Of AS
ric.ature ware returned b. tho federal
grand jury here to-day against Z. G..
Elliott. Allanson H. Morehouse, RAY T..
Tcelc, and Frank E. Singleton. The
defendants are charged individually
with having approved or pres :nted
false watchers against the government
Elliott and A1orehouse have asserted
that the charges OF technical violation
OF the law against them and their dis
missal from the dcpa rtment were
brought about by their opposition 10
everglades land promoters.
Elliott formerly was chief of drain
asc Investigations in the Departm mi
OF Agriculture; Morehouse was assis-
tant chief; Tcele formerly was an as
sistant chief of irrigation lnvestlga.
tons and Singleton AN accountant
Wright Nude ChArsc..
The charges agains, Elliott ana utn.
ers were made To Secretary Wilson by
j. =. Wright, formerly AN assistant to
Elliott in the department, but now
chief drainage engineer of the States
Of Florida. Wright, according 10 testi.
meny al the rscent congressional in
Vest!gation. made a Very favorable re-
port on the Florida everglades FL
lott did not approvs IL. Wright re-
signed and Went TO Florida and the
report amended by Elliott eventually
was suppressed by order of Secretary
wilson. The secretary also SUPPRESS u
circular latter prepared by Elliott. in
which some facts relating 10 the ever.
slades lands were presented In answer
TO the letters of inquiry from thou
sands OF investors i'll the various land
schemes. Elliott TESTIFIED recently tina
two land agents had thrca tened ain
in his Office, and In the pres .nce OF
other officials, if he insisted in taking
an unfavorable view of the everglades.
They also threatened TO take The mat
ter higher up
house. Singleton and Teele had tcchni-
cally violated the law in approving
vouchers for tran sferencc OF public
funds. In 1909 the appropriation to,
drainage work was exhausted. The
work in hand was nearly nnish I'd. how
ever. and the officials borrowed money
to, complete 1t. paying it back out OF
the next years appropriation. by plac.
Ing the lenders on the payrolls 1t
WAS not charged that any OF the de-
fandantS Prontcd by the transaction
nor that Tho government suffered
loss
Secretary Wilson dismissed Elliott
and Morchouse and suspended Single
ton. Teele had resigned some time
ago. Solicitor McCabc referred the
matter to Attorney General Wicker.
slam. and to-day's indictments result
Cd.
Elliott Nol Concerned.
The indictment against Inc is ncitn-
CT {, surprise nor a matter OF concern
said Mr., Elliott to-day. "lt is only.
another step in a persecution, the rca-
sons for whi,h are already known 10
many and VIII in good time bc APP
paraut 10 all. have clear consci-
cncc and can afford to calmly await my
vindiction at the hands OF TIL public
when the facts become known. | anu
content in and grateful for the assur-
ancc of my many friends throughout
the country that their confidence in ma
is mistaken and their Loyalty unim-
paired
George Carter. clerk to the joint
committee OH printing. on the witness
stand at the everglades hearing to-