The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-29
WILSON TO QUIT. THE CABINET
BELIEF IN WARRINGTON THAT
HE WILL NOT STAY LONG. MI

| Hints Also That Even Greater Soandate
Than Those Already known Are Couss
ing-Dr. George r. moore Resigns
Men Who Live High ON Small Pay.
WASHINGTON, July 2s.-The situation
In the Department Of Agriculture Is rapidly
| nearing an acute stage, and 1t u expected
that there will be developments within the
next few days Of decidedly interesting
nature There was a report here to-day.
| that Secretary Wilson has forwarded his
resignation to Oyster Bay. but 1t Is dis
credited and will undoubtedly be denied
In official quarters. 1t Is known that Mr..
Wilson Us deeply Inundated over the dis
closures in his Department and 1t il be-l
heved here, despite assertions to the con-
trary, that he will not remain in the Cabinet
beyond the life Of the pending investigs-
ton. Isl
| Incidental to the present inquiry thpre
will be good deal of housekeeping In
the Department Of Agriculture. Persons
high in the esteem Of Secretary Wilson will
have to go, and although Mr.. wilson ap-
pears to he reluctant TO act Inc is preparing
| to do SO. There are hints of a scandal In
this connection greater than anything that
has gone before.
Acting on a suggestion of his superior
officers, DR.. George T. Moore, psychologists
and algologist of the Department Of Agri-
culture, handed In his resignation to-day
to Secretary Wilson. ThiJ action was the
result of hearing at the Department ye,-
| terday at which it was alleged by repre-
sentatives Of en- agricutural publication
that DR.. Moores wife held stock In oonl-l
| for o,,lt fnv
oculation while the doctor. who had charge
Of the CONF arison and revision Of bulletins
relating to the enrichment of farm lands,
directed farmers to the concern In question
| for their supplies OF the culture. A story
Is told that the culture, which was the dis
covery of DR.. Moore. was formerly dis
| tributed to farmers on application to tho
Department. i
For some reason, an item calling for an
appropriation for a supply Of soil culture
to fill acquisitions made on the Department
for it during the current fiscal year did not
find its way into the book OF estimates
submitted to Congress at the beginning
a the last session. Other like expert
mental work was provided for, but soil
culture was overlooked. Since the Depart
ment's supply Of the product has been ex-
hduokOu ldILucLb udNc pccA tOlu WucIO tucy
could buy it, and the only source Of supply.
1t appears, was the company in which Mrs.
Moore held stock.
The resignation Of DR.. Moore and its
acceptance were announced In Q statement
ISSUED at tho Department: to-day. TIL.
statement consists Of DIR. Moore's letter
to Secretary Wilson and an explanation Of
Moore's relations with the Nitro Culture
Company. After saying that the criticism
which had been made against his work
might place the Department In an embar-
raising position II he remained in the service.
DR.. Moore goes on to tell OF his connection
with the nitro culture concern.
DR.. Moore says that in July Of last year
he was approached by persons in Vest
chester, Pa, with proposition for the
formation of company to manufacture
inoculating material under patents taken
out by the Department OF Agriculture In
his name. He informed these men that
they would probably always have COM
petition with the Government. and that
in any event there could be no monopoly
Of the business for the reason that the
Department patents had been so issued
as to prevent commercial discrimination.
The Westchester men were willing to take
q chance and offered Dr. Moore a, hand
some salary and an interest in the business
with the understanding that the concern
should have the exclusive right TO any
further discoveries Of Dr. Moore.
His superior officers were notified Of this
proposition, but they wanted HIN to COM
plete his unfinished work before leaving
the Department. DR.. Moore let the matter
run along pending decision in the matter
Of increased salary suggested by the chief
OF his division. In the meantime the Nitro
Culture Company was organized and .
block OF stock was made out in the name
OF DR.. Moore's wife for transfer to her
husband when he should enter the employ
OF the company.
DR.. Moore says he did not consider the
stock could be his until he was able to
comply with the conditions but that he felt
that he could not afford TO lose his hold on
the possibility of going with the company
30 long as there was the slightest chance
of his not receiving the advance from the
Department.
On Dec. II, 1904, DR.. Moore rendered his
resignation, which was not accepted, but
he was told that his salary would be in
creased. to 60 into effect Jan. 1. DR.. Moore
Gays it did not become effective until the
following April 10, and that il he had had
any idea the delay was going to be so long
he would not have kept up negotiations
with the Nitro Culture Company. When
the increase Of salary was received DR..
Moore says he returned the stock
The resignation Of DR.. Moore throws
more light on the general condition OF
affairs in the Department. Other cases Of
the same kind are said to exist. Tho De-
partment shelters several men who draw
small salaries. but who maintain expensive
establishments and live on a scale far be-
yond what their official incomes justify.
For example. it is stated broadly that sew
eral Of the scientists have been in the habit
for . long time of using data collected at
Government expense. deriving quite an In.
come from this source. There is story
Of an underling who reported something
wrong In this division and was reproved
by his chief for his presumption. When
the subordinate repeated his complaint
his salary was reduced.
An official in one bureau Of the Depart
ment, It is said, doomed certain ex-