The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-18
President Taft Decides He
Will Retain the "Peo-
ple's' Doctor
WlCkERSHAM ABLE
TO "SAVE HIS FACE"
Secretary Wilson. However.
is Not SO Sure of His
Job and May Have
to Retire

WASHINGTON. July 1T.-Dr. Har-
vey W. Wiley. pure food expert-"the
peoples doctor'--will be retained in
the public service.
That President Taft has practically
made up his mind TO this effect was
ascartaiped here tonight from an su-
thoritative source. From the same
source it was learned. thought 1t may
tax the credulity of the public to
believe it-that Attorney General
Wickersham Will not resign IL the
president sustains DR. Wiley. The In
ternational News Service Ia authori-
tatively informed that there is per-
feet understa nding between the presi-
dent and Mr.. Wickersham, reached
before the latter left for the West
yesterday, TO fill speaking engage
ment.
The president reserves the right.
always. II Is asserted, to act on his
own Judgment, irrespective of the
Views OF any or all of his cabinet ad
eisors. They SO understand him. and
are prepared always to submit to his
judgment. In this Wiley case. more
over. IL Is observed the president
merely submitted a point of law to
the attorney-general. who rendered
an .apinion on the law. He was not
asked to pass upon any facts.
To Save His Face"
This may he special pleading In
tended TO save the face of the at
torney general for whom the presi-
dent entertains a very high regard:
but It Is undoubtedly the view that
is taken of the situation here.
In the case OF Secretary of Agri-
culture Wilson. no one would be sur
prised TO see him retire from tho
cabinet. There are differences be-
tween him and DIR. Wiley that can
not easily be reconctled. Secretary
Wilson has made no recommended
tions In the case: but he is known
10 entertain a feeling of hostility
against his chief chemist. His years
are beginning to tell upon the secre-
tary of agriculture and 1t Is his mis-
fortune recently to have rise up In
| his department strong men of the
type Of Pinchot and Wiley who have
gone ahead and done things. Pres
sure has been brought to bear on
the secretary by political and selfish
interests and he has been battered
about by the conflicting currents.
Robson Kicked Out
Finally to-day there comes to light
n new blow at the work that DR..
Wiley has been carrying forward that
can be traced directly to Secretary
Wilson. with no reasons given except
the good of the service There
was dismissed recently from the de-
partment Floyd W. Robson. one OF
the foremost chemists of Or. Wiieys
staff Robson stood by Wiley when
| he decided against benzoate OF soda.
Then II was that President Sher-
man led a delegation of New York
men to the White House to protest
against the Wiley decision. The then
| President Roosevelt decided against
| Wiley, who offeted to resign, Roose-
| welt, refused to accept his restgna-.
ton. and appointed the Remsen board
! whose decision was a draw
| Thereupon the State of Indiana
! pared test case on benzoate or
! soda for the courts. and Robson.
who was summoned as an expert W.T.
n ss, gave strong testimony in support
| OF DR. Wiley's position. This case 10
| still pending and Robson is the star
witness decision against benzoate
| of soda will be severe blow to the
! interest that Wiley has fought con-
sistently, even when IL appeared back
ed by James 5. Sherman.
L. happened. as with other first class
men employed In this line OF work by
1.-THE government. that the compensa-
/ ton was not sufficient to warrant
Robson in devoting all his time to
the government. Or. Wiley was con-
tent to have him when II was posi-
BILE to get his services-always pay
ing him on the per diem basis
/ Discovery is now made that this
was not satisfactory to Secretary Will
son, who Is not known definitely when.
on recommen datton of Solicitor Nc
/ Cabe and DR.. p---Wiley's ac-
cusers Git will be noted)-dismissed
him from the service.
Policy OF Silence
| Following the policy OF silence all
! Information about the Robson case
was refused at the Department OF
Agriculture to-day. But these are the
facts in the case. They give point to
the public suspicion that there Is
something wrong in the Agricultural
/ Department. but the wrong is not to
be traced to Or. Wiley's office. Tho
chief chemists defense or reply to
the charges against him was handed
Ito Secretary Wilson Tonight. al were,
also the answers OF the other Acs
cused officials. They will be handed
to the President by Mr.. Wilson to-
morrow morning. but the 1nterra-
tional Service was Informed tonight
that the affair will not necessarily b
taken up at the full meeting to-mor-
row of the cabinet.
After going over the matter, the
President may or he may not take II
| up with the cabinet. AS the case
stands. the President does not feel
that IL viii DO necessary for the ar
torney general to be present when
the case Is taken UP and definitely
decided Az IT, IL explained to the
International News Service there u
nothing In the matter that Mr. Wick
ersham can add to hts already express
sion OF opinion. What the President
win decide upon - relation to the
law. as expounded by the attorney
general.
| fact that has not yet come out
| yet. but which probably DIR. Wiley
| has directed attention In his reply, II
that before no put into practice the
Iexpedient to enable him 10 secure the
services OF DR.. Rusty, for which he
In now under charges. he consulted
with various members Of the Appr4e
{Confinued on sixtA raoal Z