The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-15
House Committee Soon
Will Begin Inves-
tigation.
HEARINGS
Ale / O Be HELD
Amy Persons Whose Testimony
Is Desired Will Be Subpoenaed.
President Taft Hears From
Chemists Friends, Express
ing Conhdence-Matter
Discussed by Cabinet.

Washington. D. c.. July li-A con-
gressional investigation of the charges
against DR.. Harvey w Wiley, chief
chemist of the government and famous
as a pure food" expert, whom Attor-
ney-General Wickersham recommended
for dismissal because of irregulari-
ties in appointment OF experts. was
agreed on to-day by the majority
members of the House Committee on
Department of Agriculture Expendi-
lures.
For a half-hour previous to the meet
ing the Democratic members were in
conference and decided that the inves-
tigation should be made. 1t was left
10 the full committee to determine
when the investigation should begin.
who should be the frst witnesses sum-
moned and other details.
Wants to Know.
Democratic member declared that
the committee wanted to know who
wanted DIR. Wiley fred, and why"
The recommendation that DIR. Wiley
be dismissed and the reasons therefor,
in his opinion. should be thoroughly
gone into
called 1t once on Secretary of Agri-
culture Wilson for all the papers and
testimony in his possession which had
to do with the boards action.
The committee authorized Issuance
OF subpoenas for any persons who in
the chairman's opinion should be called
on to testify.
Public hearings will begin as soon
as the papers have been received,
which probably will be early next
week. Secretary Wilson. Solicitor Nc
cabe and members of the personnel
board, which recommended Wiley's re-
moval. probably will be summoned
first
Wide Interest in Case.
Letters and teiegrsns expressing
confidence in DR.. Wiley and urging
President Taft to consider most care
fully the charges made against him
by the personnel board OF the depart
ment and Endorsed By Attorney Gem
eral wickersham came pouring into
the White House to-day from all over
the country
Many OF the messages were from
commercial o-ganiza tons: others from
nersonal friends OF the President and !
Of DR.. Wiley. and still others from
organizations especially interested in
organizations especially interested in
DR.. Wileys work. Neither the White
House officials nor DR.. Wiley had any
thing further to say to-day about the
case, although 1t was up for discussion
ar the regular meeting OF the Cabinet
secretary OF Agriculture Wilson said |
before the Cabinet meeting that he did
not know how soon the doctors an
swer to the charges against him
might be expected. Secretary Wilson
also said to-day that he personally
had had little TO do with the Wiley
case. He said. however. that the per-
sonnel board which recommended his |
resignation was permanent board |
sucn as exists In most government
departments; that it had not acted
hurriediy. and that its conclusions had
been reached after hearings.
Discussed by Cabinet.
The Wiley Wickersham case. as IL !
has come to be known. was informally !
discussed at to-days Cabinet meeting.
the regular session OF President Taft's |
advisers. Beyond this. however, no
action was taken. Secretary Wilson j
had nothing 10 report beyond what 1.
President Taft knows. There were
some indications that Secretary Wilson |
was dlspleased with what he regards
as too much newspaper talk from DR.. !
Wiley. but the noted chemist is said
to have sent word to the White House !
that be has said nothing for publica-
ton.
The popular interest in the case was
shown by the kilograms and letters
Taft, expressing confidence in the in
teGrity and worth of DIR. Wiley, and !
urging that most careful consideration |
be given before action is taken. That
the case has already awakened wide |
spread popular interest was apparent
not only from these messages, but from
statements made by callers at the
White House.
Prompt Action Urged.
President Taft is being urged by in
innate friends TO dispose of the case
as promptly as possible that 1t may not
get into the Ballinger- Pinchot class,
and 1t is expected that he will do so
He will not act, though. until he has
the answer of DR.. Wiley to the charges
against him. and DIR. Wiley does not
appear inclined TO hasten this answer
Not only is the Department of Agri- |
culture upturned over the develop
ments of the past few days, but the
Department of Justice is much aroused.
Partisans OF DR.. Wiley are bitter to-
ward Acknowledgement Wickersham.
They declare that Mr.. Wickersham has
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