The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-29
Secretary Wilson Will Not Per-
init Him to Resign.
Meat Inspection Is Given Clean
Bill Of Health.
STORIES WERE FALSE
Committee Report Denounces
Him as Sensation Maker.
Taft Will Make No Change in Ag-
ricultural Department.

Washington. June 2s.-The meat
inspection service of the United States
is TO be given q clean bill of health
by special committee appointed by
Secretary Of Agriculture Wilson to In
vestigate the charges of Inspector J.
b. Harms. that filthy conditions
existed In the National stockyards of
East st. Louis. Harms will be de-
nounced in no uncertain manner as
a sensation maker, and instead of be-
ing permitted to resign his office will
be dismissed.
Mr.. Wilson will announce the f1nd-
ings of the committee. The statement
will show that in the neighborhood of
sixty persons were examined: that
| the evidence secured fails to sub
stantiate any point of Harms aIlega-
tions: that the stockyards are in ex-
ceHent condition. and that meat
which has been labeled inspected
and pass" was food fit for human
consumption within the meaning of
the laws; that Harms never made any
report about the alleged violations of
the law and the passing of unfit meat
and it's products, although he had
been in the service eighteen months
until he published his open letter to
Secretary Wilson and that finally this
| letter was prepared in conjunction
with a newspaper man.
Inspection Service Is Eff7cfent
| The statement that the department
| of agriculture will make is expected
| to arrest injury to the foreign meat
| trade of the country, which such
allegations as Harms were calculated
4 to produce Accompanying 1t will be
the assertion couched in as strong
| language as it is possible to write that
| the inspection service generally is
| efficient; that $50 establishments en-
| gagged in interstate commerce which
! nf II
culture department are obeying the
law, and finally that meat shipped by
! such establishments and labeled by
| the government inspectors is fit to eat
In word, the department will make
| a sweeping vindication of its meat in
/ spection branch.
| President Taft will accept at their
| face value the conclusions of the spe-
cial .conanaittaa-~.ass approved by Mr..
| wilson, While the president has shown
| some interest in the meat charges. he
has indicated clearly his confidence in
Mr.. Wilson by holding that the matter
is one which that official should
| handle without any reference to the
| White House. This is accepted as
| proving that the president Is entirely
| satisfied with the way in which the
agriculture department Is being admin
| istered
Considers No New Secretary.
So far as concerns a change in the
head of the department, it may be
stated authoritatively that the presf-
dent has not considered anything of
the kind. When he asked Mr.. Wilson
to become a member of his cabinet he
made no reservation as to the length
Of service.
A report was current a few days ago
that Representative Scott of Kansas
had been selected to succeed the Iowan
Secretary Wilson was quoted as saying
he would not retire until his resigna-
ton was requested. The president has
informed all inquirers that he has no
intention to ask for the secretaryss
resignation and that he hopes to have
him continue IN his official family
throughout his term.