The Cairo bulletin., 1912-08-20
MOSS ARRAIGNS
AGRICULTURAL
DEPARTMENT.
Concluded from Page One.l

such action was in the interest of
land dealers. G. G. Elliott, chief of
drainage, and Assistant Engineer
Moorehouse, who were brought into
the controversy, were found by the
committee to have made an arrange
ment in connection with North Caro-
lima swamp lands that was in viola
tion OF the law, but inasmuch as
there was no profit intended in it
the committee declared that the men
had been too severely disciplined by
Agricultural Department officials.
Assistant Secretary Hays connee-
tion with the matter arose through a
private arrangement he made with
J. O. Wright, former drainage en-
gineer, for the handling of some
drained land in North Carolina
which did not belong to the govern
rnent
The majority report cited
Wright's admission to his familiar
ity with real estate promoters and Of
accepting development company
stock and fees while engaged or
ficiaily in making surveys to reclaim
land. 1t declared that while thus
engaged as a paid salesman and an
interested purchaser he appeared be-
fore the North Carolina legislature
as an official of the Department of
Agriculture ostensibly to advise in
the framing of drainage legislation.
Boosted of Statute.
He later boosted, the report said
Oh securing the passage of a special
statute there under which he was
enabled to close deal. His trans
actions were denounced by the ma
jority as repugnant to a high sense
OF honor and integrity, which would
justify dismissal If he were still in
the government service. The report
added that his transactions were not
brought to knowledge of his super
iors of the drainage division.
The majority report cited testi-
mony regarding frequent conferences
of Assistant Secretary Hays and
Engineer Wright. who has since be-
come state drainage engineer Of
Florida, concerning the purchase
and sale at a profit of the bed o.
Lake Mattamuskee, N. c. Mr.
Wright. the majority declared &c
not seem to realize the impropriety
of his own conduct. In view Of his
confidential relations with Mr.. Hays
the majority found 1t difficult tc
escape the conviction that Mr.. Hays
was in full possession of the facts
relative to Wright's deals and trans.
actions when they were being
negotiated, and that Hays should
have condemned them rather thar
to have encouraged them.
There was no evidence, however
that MIR. Hays actually received any
money profits out of any of these
transactions. Mr.. Hays office, said
the majority, should be free from all
connection with speculative enter.
prises and get-rich-quick schemes
1t is useless" the majority
added, "to frame regulations for tn,
government of employees. many o
whom work for low salaries, ant
permit those In high position to de
spise all restraint. This is particu
larry true when the offense is to cap
italize official position and colec
dividends from official opportunity
Your committee has no authority /
deal further with this matter. |
calls the particular attention OF Sec
rotary Wilson to the record"
Calls Department Incompetent.
The committee conclusions are:
The department majority repor
called the department vascillatin,
and lacking conception of the vas
investment Of millions of dollars ii
undertaking the reclamation Of tn
Everglades. Said 1t constantly sub
ordinated tho inquiry to other yor
In which members Of Congress wer
particularly interested and tinall
abandoned II after an expenditure o
s1I,107 without definite results
Its accounting system deficient an,
it, discipline lacking The minorl
\ ~ upheld the Department,