Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-14
Wide Interest in Case.

Letters and kilograms expressing con-
idence in DR.. Wiley and urging President
Taft to consider most carefully the
charges made against him by the per-
,onnel board of the department and in
iorsed by Attorney General Wickersham
:ame pouring iLtO the White House to-
lay from all over the country.
Many of the messages were from COM
nercial organizations, others from per-
sonal friends of the President and of DR..
Wiley and still others from organiza tions
specially interested in DIR. Wiley's work
Neither the White House officials nor
Or. Wiley had anything further to say
Today about the case, although it was up
.or discussion at the regular meeting of
The cabinet.
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson said
before the cabinet meeting that he did
not know how soon the doctors answer
10 the charges against him might be
expected. Secretary Wilson also said to-
lay that he personally had had little
70 do with the Wiley case. He said,
however. that the personnel board which
recommended his resignation was a
permanent board, such as exists in most
government departments; that it had not
icted hurriedly, and that its conclusions
aad been reached after hearings.
Discussed by Cabinet.
The Wiley-Wickersham case, as it has
.ome to be known, was informally dis
sussed at today's cabinet meeting, the
regular session of President Tafts ad-
Fisers. Beyond this. however, no action
Vas taken. Secretary Wilson had moth
ing to report beyond what President
Taft knows. There were some indica-
tions that Secretary Wilson was dis
pleased with what he regards too
much newspaper talk from DR.. Wiley,
but the noted chemist is said to have
Ient word to the White House that he
has said nothing for publication.
The popular interest in the case was
shown by the kilograms and letters that
began pouring in on President Taft, ex-
pressing confidence in the integrity and
worth Of DR.. Wiley, and urging that most
careful consideration be given before ac-
ton is taken. That the case has already
awakened widespread popular interest
was apparent not only from these mes
callers at the White House.
Prompt Action Urged.
President Taft is being urged by inti-
mate friends 10 dispose of the case as
promptly as possible that it may not ge,
into the Baliinger-Pinchot class, and it is
expected that he will do so. He will no,
act. though, until he has the answer OF
Dr. Wiley to the charges against him, and
Dr.. Wiley does not appear inclined tc
hasten this answer.
Not only is the Department of AgricuI-
ture upturned over the developments OF
the past few days, but the Department OF
Justice is much aroused. Partisans o
Dr. Wiley are bitter toward Attorney
General WickerSham They declare tina
Mr.. Wtckersham has disposed of thou
sands of dollars OF government money
practically at his own discretion. He ha.
employed attorneys regarded by him a.
competent to handle certain legal case:
and has set his own figure on their worth
the practice which he has followed fol
years, they assert, he now denies to DIR
Wiley. whose motives We're TO employ fol
the service of the government the very
best talent he could find. In many re
spects the case is turning into one o.
Wiley against Wickersham and is as
Stunning a serious phase so far as the ad
ministration is concerned
That the President may finally have tC
pass upon case involving -one of his
cabinet advisers gives double interest Il
the whole affair. The Attorney General.
recommendations that DR. Wiley be pun
ished makes the issue one OF Wickershan
or Wiley, SO far as the administratio tion i:
concerned, IT was declared today.
Wickersham's Expenditures.
The purpose Of the democrats to make
a most thorough investigation of wha
they claim to have been the improper. il
not Illegal, expenditures Of the ATTORNEY
General to many thousands of dollar.
CONTINUED on Second Page.)