The Washington times., 1912-02-10
.CLARK'S CHARGES
AS TO EVERGLADES
DENIED BY M'CABE
Solicitor Files Reply With
House Investigating
Committee.

Entering a general denial of the
charges of Congressman Frank CLARK
Of Florida that the Department of ARri-
culture suppressed reports on the Flor
ida Everglades at the. demand of land
spectators. Solicitor George P. Nc
Cabe submitted a statement today to
the House committee, which has deter
mined to investigate the drainage con-
troversy.
Solicitor McCabe also rcfuted the as
sertion that G. @. Elliott and a. d.
Morebouse, of the drainage division,
had been dismissed from the depart
ment last week because of pressure
brought by the land promoters. Nc
Cabe alleged that the dismissats were
ordered because these two officials hSd
ceTlhed to irregular accounts, and that
the department would prove that the
Everglades controversy was not respon-
sible.
Cites an Instance.
The Solicitor cited an alleged instance
where Elliott and Morehouse mad en-
ployed John A. Wilkinson, of Belle
| haven, N. C. Wilkinson. charged Nc
Cabe, had been put on the drainage pay
rolls in July, 1910 bee ttse he had ad-
vanccd money for drainage work in
the fiscal year of 1909.
Elliott and MorehoIse made the ar
rangement whereby Wilkinson was tC
receive {125." said McCabe "It appears
that he did little or no work in July,
1910, and when we called Upon- Elliott
and Morehouse for IN explanation they
said Wilkinson had performed som,
services in advancing the money foI
the June drainage work There was
no appropriation from which tins pay.
ment could have been made, SO an ar
rangcment was made whereby Wilkin.
son would advance the money and
, would receive a commission in return. y
Mr.. McCabe declared that Elliott and
Morehouse had certified to other &C.
counts that were irregular" and thai
the department would present evidences
/ to that effect.
Answering Mr.. Clark's charges con.
cerning the suppression Of the so. called
! Florida, Mr.. McCabc said:
NO ssne man acting as SeCretar ~
of Agriculture would have published
| this report"
Asked 10 explain what was wront
| with the report, tke Solicitor said thaI
| II contained speculative matter.
What do y3u mean by speculative
matter?' asked Mr.. Higgins, q member
I OF the committee.
Made Speculative Statements.
Wright made speculative statement
about the Everglades that were no
borne cut by the information in tn,
possession of the department" an
hwered Mr.. McCabe.
| j. Wight. formerly of the Drain
age Bureau. but now chief drainage ell
gineer OF the State of Florida, will TAX
the stand ncSt week before the Hous
committee.
Mr.. McCabe's appearance today wa
mainly to join the issue betW cen tn
department and Congressman Clark
and he was not subjected to a rigi
examination after nllng the answer :.
the depaI tment to the eusational Clarl
charges. which are to the effect tha
secretary Wilson. at the bchest }
| land pirates suppressed reports inim
zeal to the interests of the promoters
Soncitor McCabe testified that Nj
| Wright had made the charge OF irregu
iarity i,9 against Chief Engtneer Elliott.
exact language" said McCabe, but /
effect he told Mr.. Zappone, the disburs
ing officer. that Engineer Elliott wa
trying to injure him in his professio
and was not treating him fairly, an
that he knew of some crooked or irree
ular accounts which Elliott had submit
ted. Mr.. Zappone, who is held respont
ible for payments. called in Inspecto
Ashley, and Wright told him to see WI
kinson, who could tell him how Elliot
had placed men on the payroll who ha
done no work, but had simply advance
money for the completion OF drainag
] WI n al lOVOB anu WIN DCcl ldlSE pl
on the roll and reimbursed from the 49,
! appropriation"
Tells of Visit.
Mr.. McCabe then told of the inspeC
tors visit to Wilkinson, and of sewers
conferences in which Elliott and More
house had been asked for an explans
tion. When the inspector returned, sal
, McCabe. the facts had been laid befor
Director True, of the experiment sta
ton.
Elliott said that DR.. True had know
, about the Wilkinson arrangement sal
McCabe. but DIR. True denied 1t. TT
facts were referred to DR.. True on JaI
uary %, a few days ago. and he flnall
recommended three things:
The refund of the money irregular
paid, the dismissal of Elliott and Nor
house, and the suspension Of F. Z. Sill
. gleton, an accountant in the bureau"
Henry E. Davis, attorney for Elio
and Morehouse, attended the hearir
this morning. The engineers will figl
their dismissal when the investigate
l | oka rte IN