Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-20
MADE REPORT MONTH AGO
Appears Before Moss Committee in
the Everglades Case.
WOULD NOT ACCUSE SUPERIOR
Witness Questioned Regarding Con-
ference Between Senator Fletcher
and Ex-Gov. Jennings.

the Everglades drainage work, for which
c. G. Elliott and A. ID. Morehouse were
dismissed January -, 1872 from the
drainage service of the Department of
Agriculture. were fully known to ]. o.
Wright, now drainage engineer for Flor
ida, in the summer of 1909, but were not
suggested to the Department OF Agricul-
ture at Washington until month ago.
Mr. Wright told the Moss committee Of
the House, which is Investigating the al
legged SUPPRESSION of the Everglades re-
port, that he had told the facts to the
Agricultural Department last month as "a
matter of self-protection, after news
paper were published in which c.
G. Elliott appeared to criticse Mr. Wright
for part Of the delay in publishing the
Everglades report.
Didn't you think it your duty to re-
port these Irregularities when you learned
of them in 1902" asked Henry F. Davis
attorney for Mr.. Elliott and Mr.. More
house.
Il was in the government service then
and 1 didn't want to make charges
against superior officer said Mr..
Wright
But when these alleged quotations of
charges to the Department OF Agricul-
ture as matter of retaliation" sug-
gested Mr.. Davis.
Made for Self Protection.
Not retaliation. but self-protection,"
said Mr.. Wright
Todays hearing before the committee
was marked by protests. both from So
hcitor McCabe of the Agricultural De-
partment and w. II. Ellis. trustee of the
internal Improvement fund of Florida,
under whom Mr.. Wright is now working.
against the form Of the questions pressed
by Mr.. Davis. Solicitor McCabe par
ticularly objected to Mr.. Davis asking
Mr. Wright whether the latter did not
learn over month ago that the De-
partment of Agriculture was fully aware
OF the approaching Everglades investi-
cation and was preparing to meet 1t.
We'll. / don't need to ask that ques-
ton" retorted Attorney Davis. Il now
proclaim that it will develop as a matter
of fact that the Department of Agricul-
ture. in the latter part Of 1911. gathered
itself together to meet this inquiry. l
will prove that beyond doubt.
Mr.. Davis endeavored to find out what
part Senator Fletcher had taken In pre-
pairing Senate document 50, printed last
summer, and supposed to give all the
papers concerning the Everglades project
Mr. Wright said Senator Fletcher had
handed him galley proofs of report
set up by the government printing office
This report was supposed to be the final
draft agreed upon by Chief Engineer Ell
lott and marked for publication in Janu-
airy, 1910 Mr.. Wright said he had been
asked to indicate the portions OF 1t that
comprised the original Wright report, aft
erward revised by Mr.. Elliott.
He said he pointed these out as &C
curately as he could for Senator Fletcher,
making note of the inserts and changes
that had been made after he completed
appeared, he said. it contained practically
his original report, without the additions
that had been made to the final report Of
the Department of Agriculture.
Articles in Newspapers.
Mr. Wright said that bitter feeling
against Mr.. Elliott resulted from news
paper publications in October and later,
in which Mr.. Elliott was quoted as
abusing him roundly,' and stating that
he had been dismissed from the govern
ment service He said these stories were
widely copied. and did him great harm.
Mr.. Wright said he wrote to Dr. True,
director of the division of experiment
stations, about it. but admitted that he
had no correspondence with Mr.. Elliott.
not deny the reported interviews he
would take steps to set himself right
before the country" He added that he
told DR.. True he would not rush into
print but that he had other means at
his disposal which would be much more
effective"
The facts laid before officers of the
department in January, and upon which
Mr.. Elliott and Mr.. MorehouSe We're dis
missed. followed the failure of Mr..
fn exclamation
denial from Mr.. Elliott
why didn't you write to Mr.. Elliott
directly and give him an opportunity to
reply" asked Attorney Davis.
Il wrote to his chief and gave him all
the necessary opportunity said Mr..
Wright.
Questioned About Conference.
Representative Clark then took the wit
ness. and his examination with reference
to the conference in Jacksonville between
Senator Fletcher, eX-Gov. Jennings, who
is W. ]. Bryan's cousin, and Mr.. Wright,
at which the original Wright report, re-
vised by Mr.. Elliott. had been restored to
it's original form for publication as a
Senate document brought Senator Fetch
er to his feet.
"There has been an effort said Sena-
tor Fletcher, ito create an impression
that there was some special interest to be
served by the publication of that docu-
ment in the form in which It was pub
lished by the Senate.
"There is no foundation for any such
Senator Fletcher was con-
tinuing with an explanation of how he
happened to send for Mr.. Wright and
suggest revision of the report, when Mr..
Clark interrupted.
There has been no imputation or in
situation" he said. land ! don't see any
excuse for the senator making q speech
at this time. There can be no objection
to the senator taking the stand and tes-
tifying il he desires to do so. But the
record in this case ought to be held down
to the facts.
Representative Higgins of Connecticut
suggested that it had indeed been init
mated that ex-Gov. Jennings was I'm
partnership with the land promoters who
were booming the Everglades lands.
SIS that true. Senator?' asked Mr..
Clark IN leave 1t to you and take
your word for it..
Il really couldn't say whether it is or
not returned Senator Fletcher. Il don't
know anything about it,
Progress Of Drainage Work.
Mr. Wright was asked to tell what had
been accomplished in the drainage of the
Everglades up to- date He declared that
in the last twenty-four months, since he
took charge of the project, the state Of
Florida had spent about $1,OoO,OOO in
drainage work. that 125 miles of canals
had been completed, S,OOO.OO0 cubic yards
of earth and stone excavated. and that
the drainage project was now about AZ
per cent completed.
Solicitor McCabe asked Mr.. Wright if it
sr,po a n a