Your TR Source
Attorney General Moody updates President Roosevelt on the investigation of the cotton scandal and the various employees in the Department of Agriculture involved in the case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-21
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson describes the reorganization of the Bureau of Statistics on the departure of Edwin S. Holmes and John Hyde. He has identified four men with statistical ability who will form a board to do the work. He is continuing to push the investigation, to ensure punishment follows wrongdoing, and has delayed a trip to the forest reserves because of the crisis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-21
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson responds to two letters recently received from President Roosevelt concerning scandal surrounding the cotton report leak. Wilson describes Edwin Sanford Holmes, assistant statistician in the Department of Agriculture, as a “scoundrel.” Holmes has been accused of leaking information to New York brokers who used it to speculate on the market. Wilson provides background information concerning the status of the case. He discusses potential guilt and the possible removal of John Hyde, chief of the Bureau of Statistics in the Agriculture Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-17
Attorney General Moody writes to President Roosevelt regarding District Attorney Morgan H. Beach’s investigation into the Department of Agriculture. Moody shares a report from Beach in which he writes that Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson is making the investigation difficult by not cooperating with John Hyde, who he appointed to assist in the investigation. Moody trusts Wilson and does not believe that any action should be taken yet, but wanted to inform Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-17
As per Attorney General Moody’s suggestion, Acting Attorney General Hoyt takes the matter of Jasper Wilson up directly with President Roosevelt. He clearly states that he does not know anything discrediting Jasper Wilson, and the suggestions to his disadvantage are merely unfounded rumors. However, he finds that Jasper “surrounds his father (Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson) with an anxious degree of surveillance and intervention” beyond that of a concerned son. Hoyt updates Roosevelt on the situation. Morgan H. Beach, special assistant to the Attorney General, will shortly call Secretary Wilson and Jasper Wilson before the Grand Jury, after which they will supposedly tour the forest reserves. It is a delicate matter, and no one wants to do Jasper any personal injustice, but it is best to study the Department of Agriculture situation during his absence. The sudden departure of John Hyde, statistician for the Department of Agriculture, is suspicious, and his escape is frustrating. Assistant Secretary of Agriculture W. M. Hays is ready to take charge if needed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-25