Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-20
j. S. AGRICULTURE
HEADS inefficient
SAYS COMMITTEE
Probe of Everglades Scandal
Fails to Prove Actual Graft,
but DiScIoSeS VaciIlating
Conduct of Department


CATION of the department. of agricuiture's
connection with the Florida everglades
drainage project ended today when the
house of representatives COMMITTEES on
expenditures in the department OF az
riculture submitted to the house its ind
ings IN majority and minority reports OF
its members. --------a- 49,
The conduct of Assistant Secretary
Hays, of the agricultural department..
whose relations with former Drainage
Engineer ]. o. Wright were the sub
ject of especial attention by the COM
mittee, was declared in majority re-
port presented by Chairman Moss, Dem
ocrat, to have been not In harmony
with proper standards of official pro-
priety If not on1ciai rectitude." The mi
nority report made by Representative
Sloan, Of Nebraska, Republican, asserted
on the other hand. that the unstable
majority conclusions were more of a
charge against the mental capacity and
honesty of the committee members
than against Assistant Secretary Hays.
DEPARTMENT ROASTED.
The majority report was signed by
Chairman Moss and Representatives
Flood, of Arkansas. and Doughton, OF
North Carolina, Democrats. The minor
ity report was signed by Representative
Sloan, of Nebraska. who stated that
Representa- tives Higgins. of Connecticut.
and Madden. Of Illinois. approved it. All
are Republicans. Many features Of the
agriculture departments work in con-
nection with the everglades were attack
ed by the Democratic report, which ar
raigned the department as vasciIlating.
and Engineer Wright as having been
ION familiar terms with real estate pro-
motors and spectators"
No real criticism Of Secretary Wilson
was contained in the majority report.
the burden of criticism being laid on
Assistant Secretary Hays. The minority
report. on the other hand, acquitted the
latter of the charges that he ''despised
all restraint and attempted to capitalize
his official position and draw quick div
idend from oficial opportunity.
ORIGIE OF CHARGES
The everglades investigation arose
through the charges that certain re
ports appeared by government engineers
had been withheld from publication, with
the inference that such action was In
the interest of land dealers. c. G. FL
lott. 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 Carolina
swamp lands that was in Violation OF
the law, but inasmuch as there was no
profit Intended in it the committee de-
clared that the men had been too So
verely disciplined by agricultural de-
partment officials.
Assistant Secretary Hays connec-
ton with the matter arose through a
private arrangement he made with ].
o. Wight, former drainage engineer, for
the handling Of some drained land in
North Carolina which did not belong TO
the government
The majority report cited wright's
admissions of his familiarity with real
estate promoters and Of accepting de-
velopment company stock and fees
while engaged officially in making sur
veys to reclaim land. 1t declared that
while thus engaged as a paid salesman
ana an interested purchaser ne dppedIcQ
before the North Carolina legislature as
an official Of the department OF agri-
culture ostensibly to advise in the
framing Of drainage legislation.
He later boosted, the report said, Ct
securing the passage Of a special statute
there under which he was enabled to
close a deal His transactions were
denounced by the majority as repugnant
to a high sense Of honor and integrity,
- ia ~
were still in the government services.
The report added that his transactions
were not brought to the knowledge OF
his superiors Of the drainage division
The majority report cited testimony
regarding frequent conferences Of As
sistant Secretary Hays and Engineer
Wright, who has since become state
drainage engineer Of Florida, concern
ing the purchase and sale at PROFIT
of the bed of Lake Mattamuskee, n. C.;
Mr.. Wright, the majority declared, did
not seem to realize the improperly OF
his own conduct. In view Of his con-
idential relations with Mr.. Hays the
majority found it difficult to escape
the conviction that Mr.. Hays was IN
full possession of the facts relative TO
Wright's deals and transactions when
they were being negotiated" and that
Hays should have condemned them
rather than to have encouraged them.
There was no evidence, however, that
Mr. 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 enterprises and get-rich-
quick schemes
1T 10 useless" the majority added, ito
frame regulations for the government
Of employees, many Of whom work for
low salaries, and permit those in high
position to despise al restraint. This
is particularly true when the offense IS
to capitalize official position and collect
dividends from official opportunity. Your
committee has no authority to deal fur
Their with this matter. 1t calls the par
ticular attention Of secretary Wilson to
the record"
INEFFICIENCY.
The committee conclusions are:
The Department majority report called
the department vascillating and lacktns
conception OF the vast investment OF
lions of dollars in undertaking. the rec
lamation Of the Everglades. Said 1t con-
stantly subordinated the inquiry to other
work in which members of congress
" ere particularly interested and finally
abandoned It after an expenditure or
81 ,l07 without definite results. It's ac-
counting system deficient and its discip-