The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-08-09
WILEY OBJECTED TO paddock
SD HE TOLD INDIANA MEN WHO
WERE FOR PURE FOOD.

WE'RE FOR PURE FOOD.
Testimony That the Department OF AEri.
culture sealed the Lips OF Other Em.
piOyees VINO We're Against Use Of
BenxOatc OF Soda In Preparations.
WASHINGTON. Aug. s.-The story OF
how Secretary OF Agriculture Wilson and
Solicitor McCabe are alleged to have
hampered the State of Indiana at every
turn in the big fight between the State
and manufacturers Of food products con-
tanning benzoate Of soda was told to the
House Committee on Expenditures in the
Agricultural Department to-day by
former Attorney General James Bingham
Of Indiana and by DR.. II. E. Barnard.
chemist of the State Board of Health and
Food and Drug Commissioner. Dr. Floyd
Robson. the expert chemist and per diem
employee of the Agricultural Department
who was dismissed recently by Secretary
Wilson for publicly opposing the use OF
benzoate Of soda, was another witness.
The testimony brought out letter OF
dismissal written by Secretary Wilson to
DR.. Robson. In this letter Secretary
Wilson not less than three times referred
to "the policies Of the Administration" in
referring to the benzoate Of soda question.
Mr. Bingham told the committee emphat-
| ically that he had had correspondence nd
A personal interview with President Taft
| on the subject and that the President
never even intimated that the Admins
tration had any policy" in connection
with the row between the referee
board and DR.. Harvey W. Wiley over
the use of benzoate Of soda. In fact Mr..
Bingham got the impression. he told the
committee, that the President considered
the fight to compel the Agricultural De-
partment to permit DR. Wiley TO testify
for the State of Indiana and against the
referee board and the benzoate of soda
users as Department matter" to be
handled by Secretary Wilson.
Mr.. Bingham testified that the De-
par'ment OF Agriculture hampered him
in every possible way. He and the other
witnesses pointed out that while it was
the easiest thing in the world for the food
manufacturers who were fighting the
State 10 have its pure food law declared
unconstitutional to get seventy-fve wit
nesses from the Agricultural Depart
ment 10 testify with the referee board
II was almost impossible 10 get one 10
testify with the Wiley findings. The
witnesses were willing, he said. but the
Secretary and Solicitor McCabe would
|
Dr Robson laid before the committee
to-day the letter he received from Secre-
tary Wilson announcing his dismissal
from the Government service and frankly
explaining why Here is the letter:
At the meeting OF the Association Of
State and National Food and Dairy De-
partments at Denver in July. 1909. you
attracted attention by taking strong
and public position against the policies
nf hiQ RI norfp ant nf 4,
tion. You appeared In the Federal Court
in Indiana in opposition TO the policies
of the Administration with reference TO the
report of the referee board on benzoate
of soda, and the reports of three secretaries
with regard TO it,
II recently came 10 my attention that
beginning with February. 1911. you had
resumed work under your old appointment,
although YOU had not rendered any previous
service since April 80. 1900. had supposed
that your long absence and work for the
State Of Michigan and positive stand against
the Administration had all resulted in your
leaving the service
I have approved your dismissal for the
good of the service There are no charges
AGAINST you; we make none. l recognize
the fact that YOU have a perfect right to
occupy any position YOU see At with re-
gard 10 the policies of the Adminstra ton
I
YOU should draw salary while you are taking
this stand This is all have to say. II
you want hearing YOU can have il at any
time
Fl E. Barnard. chemist of the State
Board of Health of Indiana and State
Food and Drug Commissioner. followed
Dr., Robson on the stand 1t was DR.
Barnard who made the fiat statement
that while it was a simple matter for
the two big concerns which were
) attacking the Indiana food law to Sc
! cure the dispositions and even personal
of the Agricultural Department, including
the members of the Remsen board, their
assistants, helpers. messengers, stenog-
raphers and janitors," TO support their
contention that the use Of benzoate of soda
in food products was not harmful, the
State found it almost impossible to secure
the testimony Of Dr Wiley or anybody
else in the Department against the use Of
benzoate of soda
The committee sat ny and took notice
the Department for copy Of the Wiley
, report on benToa,e of soda was met with
the reply that he could have it if the food
concerns which were plaintiffs in the
case consented.
Was the consent of the State of In
diana asked hefor" the report of the Rem
sen hoard was put IN the record by the
plaintiffs" Mr. Moss inquired
Not at all" the former Attorney Gen
eral replied. with a smile
"Dd You over receive any help or CO.
operation from anyhody in the Agri-
cultural Department." Mr. Bingham was
asked
From no one but DR. Wiley" he replied
: But DR.. Wiley couldn't act vomn-
tariy'" suggested Chairman Moss
well" replied the Attorney General
he said he didn't propose having pad
lock put on his mouth"