The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-07-18
WILEY UNDER FIRE.

DR.. Wiley, the food expert Is threat
ened with dismissal The charge is
made that he authorized a larger sal
airy to Columbia university professor
for expert service than was permit
ted him by law. College professors
are VIGOROUSLY overpaid individuals
and this adds enormity to the offense.
One Of the investigation committees OF
the many that are rampant at pres
ent in the capital has discovered the
crime and is recommending that DR..
Wiley be permitted to resign"
A few weeks ago it was discovered
that out of two thousand dollar APP
preparation for portrait for the gov
eminent the artist got two hundred
dollars or little more, while the rest
was pocketed by various administra-
ton officials. An investigation was
started but it has conveniently died
out. The incident is interesting chief
ly as illustration Of the fact that a
few government dollars when divert
ed into private channels is not liable
to cause extensive comment in Wash
ington.
1t seems that DIR. Wiley has, inten-
tionally or Internationally. done yio-
lence to provision which prohibits
paying more than s1l.OO per day TO
outside experts. None Of the money
went into Or. ,wiley's pockets, and
the man who was paid the money rem
dered services which could not be COM
manded at a smaller price. The Day
portrait incident has placed no ones
official head in jeopardy although 1t
was plain stealing. while for his ir-
regularity a shocked committe recon-
mends his discharge. The secret is
that DIR. Wiley has been too active.
There are too many men in Washing.
ton who are hankering after a less
strenuous food expert. This IS TO say
nothing OF the strong patent medicine
influence which would crow over his
scalp.
DIR. Wiley, however. does not seem
to be unduly alarmed. To the report
ers who besieged him he set forth his
views on the attempts to Gust him,
in his characteristic happy manner:
Il would not advice any one to wait
around my Office to see me put out;
there is no telling how long that will
be.
you know that ] have been fired
out Of this comfortable position once
or twice a week for the past ten days,
yet. somehow, manage 70 stay on.
For the present cannot discuss
the matter with you. am still in the
department OF agriculture and II my
term OF service were to last only two
hours longer ] would obey the orders
OF the secretary for those two hours
However, II | am fired. as has been
suggested, believe. then might have
some remarks to make. I do not know
how pertinent these remarks would
be. but they might interest some peo-
pie"
The country cannot spare DIR. Wiley
The public has implicit confidence II
him and in his work. kilograms hav,
been pouring into Washington from
every section OF the country since tn
rumor Of his dismissal was spread
condemnlng the move and asking 70
fair deal. DIR. Wiley has saved to-
many American siomachs from adul
teraied food prodscts and. exposed To-
many a worthless patent medicige fax
to be dispensed with. He has the con
hdence Of the American people VIII
will no, stand By and watch this lates
Instance Of persecution By injured in
teresis without registering yigor
Gus protest.
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