Evening star., 1911-08-11

latter would not aid him more actively IN
goinG alter Dr. Wiley.
Defend Rusby Appointment.
Both DIR. kcbler and Dr. Bigcior. as
sistant chief of the bureau Of chemistry,
who was the only other witness heard TO-
day, told the committee that the Rusby
appointment was perfectly proper and
legal that it VAS identical with the ap-
pointment of members of the referee
hoard and that. moreover, there were
hundreds Of other cases In the bureau OF
plant industry and In the bureau or Tor
ektry in which the appointments werc
Identical with the appointments IN the
Rusby case.
Dr. Harvey W. Wiley. chief OF the
bureau Of chemistry. around whom the
controversy revolves. made his nrst
appearance before the committee to-
day. lie did not get a chance to tes-
iify. however. but viii be heard az the
next meeting of the committee Mon
day. IL is Of interest that DR.. Wiley.
DR. Kebler and Dr. Bigelow were all
three recommended for punishment by
the committee on personnel. OF which
Solicitor Mccabe Is secretary. The
Recommendation OF the committee was
that Or. Wiley and Or. Rigeiow be
permitted to resign and that kebler
be reduced.
Rusby in Glass Alone.
Dr. Kebicr was the first witness. lie
explained that he had been in the Agri-
cultural Department for eight years and
had served four years as chief of the
drug division of the bureau of chemis-
try. Prior TO that time he had been con-
nectcd with q Philadelphia firm Of drug
manufacturers.
Or. keblcr was asked by Represcnta-
tive FLOYD of Arkansas to tell the COM
nittec what he knew of the Rusby case.
lie explained how pr. Wiley, DIR. Bige-
low and himself had cndeavored to make
some arrangement for the employment of
Dr. Rusbv.
..Dr. Rusby,' nc said, stands at the
head OF his branch of the profession. His
employment had an undoubtedly whole
some effect upon the drug importers IN
Now York.
40 YOU agree With Solicitor McCabe,'
asked Chairman Moss, that many other
men in tho United states could do the
work for which Or. Rusby was en-
p,oyed.'
THAT is absolutely impossible, en-
else in the United States is qualified
70 do Dr. Rushy's particular line OF
work.
"rhen he is pre-cmincnt in his line"
suggested Mr. Floyd.
Yes, he is Or. kebier responded.
Mr. Floyd asked DR.. kebler how he
had been connected with the Rusby
case Il don't see" he said, what You
had to do with making this ron
tract"
That is exactly what I have been
falling 10 see" rejoined Dr. Kebler,
YEARLY amid laughter.
Other Salary Cases Like It.
Dr. Kebler then took the report of
recommended that DR.. Wiley and DIR.
Bigelow be permitted TO resign" and
that DR. Kebier be reduced. He pointed
out a number of Statements without
foundation" that he said the committee
on personnel had made as a result OF
it's ex parte hearing on the RUsby
case. He said he knew nothing OF any
such private agreement between
officials of the bureau of chemistry
and Dr. .Rusby as TO the contract en-
tered into.
I'm what event." inquired Attorney
Davis. does the annual salary paid
to DR.. Rusby differ from the annual
salaries paid to the members of the
referee board
"I see no difference whatever DIR.
Kebler replied. Il have always consid-
cred. and do now consider, the employ
ment of DIR. Rus5y as entirely proper"
In reply TO questions by Mr.. Davis, DR..
Eebler told how Dr.. Rusby had made
himself an authority in his line by study
Ing for years crude plant drug products,
their curing. shipping and importation
He had studied. the witness said. the
appearance. microscopically and other
wise, of these drugs and their qualities
and was familiar with more crude plant
5rus products than any other man In
the world
Are there any employees of the depart
ment carried on the rolls as DIR. Rusby
was carried?' asked Mr.. Davis.
Yes" replied DR.. kebler. members OF
the referee board and still Others who re-
eeive annual compensation. but do not
work the entire time, owing to a private
understanding.
In one of his letters to DR.. Rusby, al
ready before the committee. DIR. Kebler
spoke of DR.. Rusby having the matter
of his employment 'in his own hands.
Just Like Remsen Board.
'You meant by that. did you not"
suggested Mr.. Davis. simply that he
could arrange his own time for doing
the work of the department:
Certainly" replied DR.. Kebler. land
that is all I did mean
'Just as is the case with members Of
the Remsen boarGr" Mr.. Davis con-
tinued.
Yes. replied the witness
DR.. kebler said that when he was
haled before the committee on per-
sonnet presided over by Solicitor Nc
Cabe, he did not know that any charge
had been made against him. Then he
went ahead. at Mr.. Davis suggestion,
10 speak Of the solicitor and his rela-
tions with him.
II have had respect for Solicitor Nc
abe" said DR.. Kebler. because he is
frank and doesn't mincc matters. But
he Is arrogant and lonineering and Is
always making threats to take matters
before Secretary Wilson"
Then DIR. Kebler told story to Illus
trate this. At the time that local head
ache prepara tion then known as "Brane
Fude" Was being prosecuted DR.. Wiley
old Or. Kebler 70 assist District .lt.or-
aey Baker, who had the prosecution in
charge.
'McCabe heard of tais.'' said Dr. keb-
er today. and gave me a fearfu. calling
fonp over the telephone. He said
shouldn't have gone TO help the district
attorney without frs: getting his consent
He said ! had violated an order Of the
Secretary Of Agriculture replied to
Mr.. McCabe that ! couldn't see how
could disobey AN order of my own CHIEF
Or. Wiley. and then he said tha; lie pro-
posed TO take the matter Up with Secre-
tary Wilson. l don't know whether he
sver did or not. That was III 1909