Evening star., 1911-08-29
The Delay in the "Wiley Case"

1t Is to be regretted tndt freSlueHl
Taft does not give assurance that he
will dispose of the so-called Wiley
case before ihe starts on his vaca-
ton swing around the circle. When
the matter was brought to public
attention in July it was expected
that a decision would be promptly rem
dered from the White House. How
ever, a certain degree Of delay seemed
advisable to permit thorough inquiry
into the circumstances and to obtain
statements from the accused chief
chemist and from his Immediate SUI
perior. the Secretary of Agriculture.
Those statements having been filed.
the matter was taken up by House
committee and investigated at some
length, with the result Of materially
broadening its scope and revealing
state of affairs in the Department OF
Agriculture which amazed the public
and. there is some reason to believe,
surprised the President. The comment
was then made that the postponement
of action was fortunate in that 1t gave
the President information of value
upon which to base not only his ruling
in the case OF the employment Of DR..
Rusler. but possible further action to
straighten out the unmistakable
tangle in the department.
The testimony has now been finished
for more than a week and there is
no apparent prospect for decision
for several weeks. AS far as anything
emanating from executive headquar-
ters indicates. the President will not
take up this matter for final considera-
tion until after his return from the
western trip, perhaps two or three
months from now. 1t Is certain that in
that time public feeling will be strong
ly aroused on the score of this delay.
The evidence given before the House
committee disclosed an intolerable sit
uation In the Department of Agricul-
ture. There was evidence to show that
DR.. Wileys usefulness as executor of
the pure food law had been practically
destroyed. that he had been supplanted
by an official holding quite divergent
views regarding the meaning OF the
law and bent upon a different mode Of
procedure. Enthusiastically marked by
leniency for those previously prose-
cuted as food and drug adulterators
ana misbranders. Public confidence in
the integrity OF the department has
been shaken. 1t is necessary for the
administration frankly to adopt one
or the other policy. that OF the rigid
enforcement OF the pure food law as
represented by the chief chemist or
that Of compromise as represented by
the solicitor and the associate chem
list
This is not question Of DR.. wiley's
personal fortune. 1t is question of
what the administration intends to do
with the pure food law If it wants
to go the Wiley way of rigid enforce
ment II should establish in the De-
partment OF Agriculture a harmonious
agency Of prosecution consisting of
responsible officials acting openly and
without the necessity of friction-b breed
ing combinations. If it does not desire
to enforce the law in the manner and in
the degree which the public associ-
ates with DR.. Wiley in his long work
In the department 1t should eliminate
him from the service as an inhar-
monious element and establish the sys-
tenn of law enforcement frankly and
fully upon the basis that has recent
ly obtained.
lowed to slide. Every week adds to
the confusion in the department, and
to the feeling on the part of the pub
lie that the law is being inadequately
enforced The people apprehend harm
ful results from this state Of affairs.
They are almost unanimously in favor
OF the retention OF DR.. Wiley. with the
hearty cooperation of his associates
and hissuperiors. They will not be salts
Ned with compromise that retains
In the service the antagonistic ele-
ments that have recently been brought
into evidence. and they will be decid-
edly impatient OF delay in the adjust
ment Of this most important item Of
administration business