Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-03
Excerpt From Wright Report Given
Out Without His Consent.
EFFORTS TO BE ACCURATE
Investigation by the Department of
the Everglades Project He Does
Not Regard as Complete.

SWSi CIIliClSll III dIlQ Out VI congress OIL
his conduct in formulating plan to drain
the Florida Everglades. Mr.. Wilson has
been under fire of opposing interests and
factions in Florida lands and Florida poll
tics. First he was attacked for permit
ting to be published departmental discov-
cries which doomed Everglades lands, and
more recently because he suppressed all
information in the department of the
Everglades.
The Secretary, answering Chairman
Moss, reserved FOR himself the absolute
and only right in the department to au-
thorize an official publication of any
description. He said that any departure
from this principle was IAN overstepping
of authority
mo one is allowed to give out any in
formation, is he?" asked Mr.. Moss.
when / was in Congress" said Secre-
tary Wilson, II found out that when
newspaper men got information on the
work inside committee they. could be
made to answer to the House.
The Secretary described some or MS
trials with the newspaper men who want
information from the department in ad-
vance OF formal publications. He referred
to recent embarrassment when report
ers sought report on the contamina-
tion of oysters in nearby oyster ilelds.
Publication Not Authorized.
Mr.. Wilson denied that the original ex-
cerpt of the report of Maj. ]. o. Wright
on the Everglades was given out with his
consent. This excerpt was used for ad-
vertising purposes in Florida. 1t was OBJ
tanned in the department by Henry Clay
Hail. Later, Mr.. Wilson said, he wrote
former Gov. Gilchrist of Florida and
authorized the publication of parts of his
letter in relation to the Everglades.
Secretary Wilson showed that he is
keeping abreast Of the slang of the day.
Explaining a departure from the rule of
the department in one incident of the
Everglades matter, he said, there were
several unusual circumstances that but
ted in
Investigation Not Complete.
Mr. Wilson expressed the opinion that
the department had not made a complete
investigation of the Everglades project
on any Of the features covered in the re-
ports which are in controversy. He dis
missed the details Of the rivalry between
department experts and their complaints
that they were being robbed Of credit for
work.
Sometimes said Mr.. Wilson, "a young
man will come to me distracted for fear
he is not going to get credit. I dismiss
him with few comforting words And
may say" continued the Secretary with
a chuckie, that ladies come to me, too"
That does not prejudice the case for or
against them, does it?' asked Repre-
sentative Sloan.
"Oh, no., answered Mr.. Wilson. I'VE
always look upon the ladies as perfect to
begin with
The Secretary explained to the commit
tee that the function of publishing bull
IHtfnS regarded imDOrtant fha
department.
In sixteen years 1 have had an aver
age of three bulletins day-about 1000
a year. l guess that We have issued 49,
have been sent to all parts Of the world.
We take pride in these publications and
try to make them as nearly accurate as
possible said the Secretary.
Alleged Land Sharks.
The Secretary denied that he personally
knew anything about land sharks and
their operations in Florida.
There were fellows that were saying
things" said the Secretary. There are
fellows that lie in all parts of the coun-
try. L do not believe that We as a ma
ton are liars. To what extent the stories
of land sharks operating in Florida in
tluenced me 1 can't say. Some of the tes-
timony before this committee has led me
to believe that gentlemen with as long
experience as yourselves should take
some of these statements with grain of
allowance.
Compliments to Clark.
In this connection want to thank my
| little friend, Representative Clark, who
| brought this matter before Congress. lie
said he pitied me. After the spectacle
presented to this committee / want to re-
turn the compliment and extend my pity
to him.
Chairman Moss sought to have the Sec
retary repudiate the excerpt on the Ever
| glades report which he sent to the Gov
! ernor OF Florida.
| LOT what value is that report now q"
| asked the chairman.
| III is valuable as far as it is useful"
answered the Secretary.
Not Approached Improperly.
Secretary W ilson finished his testimony
| at / o'clock and with his statement the
| hearings on the entire Everglades matter
| were adjourned. Before leaving the
stand Secretary Wilson denied categori-
| cally and IN detail that any one had ap-
| preached him either directly or Indirect
ly with any proposal to suppress any de-
| partInent Information on the Everglades
| with an improper motive.
| Representative Sloan of Nebraska got
| these statements into the record for the
Secretary, who had Irior to that answer
ed specifically a series of questions by
Solicitor McCabe. which elected tnat the
| Secretary action in the Everglades mat
Ter had not been influenced in any degree
by agents of Florida land companies.
Tells of Clark's Call.
Before the hearing was ended. Secre-
tary Wilson evened up some scores with
Representatives Clark of Florida and
Bathrick of Ohio who caused the present
| investigation. Mr.. Wilson got into the
record some facts which heretofore have
escaped notice by the committee. 1t was
! IN relation to the suppression of a de-
partment circular which was not alto
| gether complimentary to Everglades lands
that Representative Clark called on Sec
| retary Wilson.
OF this circular Secretary Wilson had
! little to approve. 1t was I'm defiance of
the authority Of the department. that 1t
| was issued. ne said. 1t was not such as
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