Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-09
Will Assail Moore to Improve
Weather Bureau.
INSISTS. ON INVESTIGATION
Congress to Hear From Him if VIII
son Turns Deaf Ear.
CHEF "PooH,PooHs" CHARGES
Reduced Appropriation Has Caused
Curtailment Of Service, He De-
clares-Nothing Else to Say.

James Berry. former division chief of
the weather bureau. who in his letter of
resignation to Secretary Wilson filed COM
plants against Prof. Willis l.. Moore,
director of the bureau, declared last night
that he will insist OH an investigation int 0
the management Of affairs at that insti-
tuition.
The affair. as my statement Indicates
said Mr.. Berry last night, sis by no
means closed as far as / am concerned
There is mass Of detail supporting my
attitude which 1 will present in time
For the present., / think my state
ment covers the situation. do not care
to say anything further
Statement by Berry.
Mr.. Berry. who, in a recent shake
in the weather bureau, was denoted by
Chief Moore, charges Mr.. Moore with
bringing about ineff1ciency in the bu-
reau in order to enforce larger appro-
priations by Congress. His statement
reads:
For some time there has been ex-
listing in the weather bureau a deplor-
able condition OF affairs for which mis-
management. extravaganza and ineff1-
service and since the termination of
my official relations with 1t have done
all IN my power to remedy the condi-
lions OF which 1 speak.
twice In writing and once orally
within the past sixty days, have
brought the matter to the attention of
the Secretary OF Agriculture. without
effect.
II served the weather bureau faithfully
and devotedly for more than thirty-two
md
every Secretary of Agriculture since the
bureau was transferred thereto from the
War Department, in 1891. From July /,
1893, to September 9, 1910, ] was chief
OF one Of the most important divisions.
Frequently have been strongly COM
mended in official correspondence and
public documents for capacity, fidelity to
duty and service of exceptional value.
II rendered my resignation August
10. 1910 1t was accepted the 9th of the
following month.
II have nothing further to say now
than that I have some carefully consid-
cred and well matured plans. At the
proper time and, / trust in the proper
way, 1 shall present the information 1
have in such shape that it may be used
If desired, for the betterment of the
weather bureau
No Formal Charges.
Mr.. Berry, experimenting his state
ment, said:
Il would not say I have ever submit
ted formal charges against the admin
1stratton of the weather bureau. I ten
dered my resignation to the Secretary
OF Agriculture. In my letter 1 stated
that the conditions were such that l
could no longer retain my position i'm
respect at the same time, and that l
never have sacrificed my self-respect to
private interests.
Il told the Secretary of the conditions
In the weather bureau. and offered to
assist him in every way I'm my power
In investigating my statements and as
pertaining the truth concerning affairs
connected with the bureau.
Il received letter accepting my res
ignation and. in effect, closing the mat
ter. Subsequently 1 had an interview
with the Secretary. Later 1 wrote him,
further explaining certain matters"
Mr.. Berry threatens to bring all of the
facts in his possession to the attention
of Congress and to demand an investi-
CATION. He asserts that no commit
tee of Congress can afford to overlook
the information which he will lay before
1t concerning the management of the bu-
reau.
He asserts that Mr.. Moore holds tyran-
nical sway over the bureau and manipu-
lates the government business to suit his
own whims rather than the needs of the
public.
Berry Sees Wilson.
Mr.. Berry sent = letter of resignation to
Mr.. Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture,
August 10 last, stating that if desired he
would inform the Secretary Of his reasons
for taking this step. He called upon Mr..
Wilson later, and was requested to pre-
sent "a written statement of the condi-
tons in the Office which made it inpos-
sible for him to remain there longer
In this statement Mr.. Berry declared
that advantage was taken of his absence
on leave at Atlantic City last August to
relieve him from the position as chief of
the distributing division, and assign him
to duty at the New Jersey resort with
Is per cent reduction in salary. This.
Mr.. Berry declares. was because he was
not in sympathy with Mr.. Moores meth
DDS.
Chief Moore's Reply.
Mr.. Moore. against whom the charges
are aimed, was unwilling to discuss
the affairs Of his bureau. He prepared
the following statement, however, In an
swer to Mr.. Berry's accusation:
I'm the interest OF economy and ef
ficiency, the division presided over by
James Berry at the central office of the
weather bureau was recently abolished
and his duties divided between other di-
vision chiefs.
This necessitated the making of an
other assignment for Mr. Berry, which
he refused to accept, and then re-
signed. He had served under my di-
rection for fifteen years, and received
advancement on nay recommendation,
but he only saw fit to criticise my adj
when one of my orders con-
ficted with his personal interests
II shall decline to enter into any pub
lie controversy with him. If he makes
any charges to a committee of Congress,
as he threatens to do. 1 shall in due
time meet them in the proper way"
Replying to the charge that he was
forecasts and special warm
ngs from numerous points, Mr. Moore
stated that he had been obliged to do SO
ON account of the fact that by an act of
the last Congress the bureau had been
limited in its expenditures for telephone
and telegraph service to 5000, although
the appropriation for the total service had
neither been increased nor diminished.