New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-15
WOMAN TAKES STAND
IN DR.. WILEY INQUIRY
Tells of "Third Degree Methods
Used in Department of
Agriculture.
M'CABE UNDER CRITICISM
Chemist Tells Committee Solici-
tor Prevented Him from
Aiding United States
Attorneys.
From The Tribune Bureau

Washington, Aug. 1.-THE alleged third
degree" methods of Solicitor McCabe, Of
the Department of Agriculture was the
interesting feature of the hearing before
the House committee investigating the DR..
Wiley controversy to-day. and, for the first
time since the various Investigations began,
a woman witness from one of the depart
ments was on the stand. -
Miss Carrie NJ. Davis, stenographer in
the Office of DR.. L. F. Kebler. chief Of the
drug division of the Bureau Of Chemistry.
told the committee that Solicitor McCabe
and Secret Service man. one w. p.
Walsh. put her through rigid examina-
ton as TO DR.. Kebler's personal affairs on
July last Dr. Kebler had previously
testified that Solicitor McCabe save him
the third degree" to ascertain if he owned
stock in any drug concerns. DR.. Keoler
owned one share, valued at 800. in Phil
adelphia concern, and this he owned be-
fore becoming associated with the chem
istry bureau.
Miss Davis said she had been summoned
TO Mr. McCabe's office, where she met MT
! Walsh. She testified that she was taken
before Secretary Wilson, who assured her
that the department wanted only the truth
and that she would be protected so lar aS
her position was concerned.
''Mr. Walsh then took me into the board
room" said Miss Davis "and locked the
door. saying he did not want us TO be as
turbed Solicitor McCabe came In a httie
later. and they asked me questions ior
nearly two hours about DR.. Kebler's cor
, resemblance and his personal affairs. L
told them that / did not know whether he
owned any stock or not Mr.. McCabe In
sisted that he did. I told them that DR..
Kebler occasionally received small checks
for IS to So from the Philadelphia COM
many. and Mr.. McCabe wanted to know II
they were marked dividends. ] did not
know | was not permitted to return 10
work in the Bureau Of Chemistry That DAY,
but was kept at work in the Department OF
! Agriculture proper"
| Miss Davis said she had never undergone
such an experience before, and that she ala
! not relish the idea of being locked In the
room with her inqusitors. The testimony
of Miss Davis was adduced by the commit
tee on the questions Of counsel 10 Dr. Wiley.
! DIR. w. D. Bigelow, assistant chief chem
| ist told the committee to-day that, under
Solicitor McCabe's Interpretation Of general
order No. 40, no official Of the Bureau Of
! Chemistry is permitted 10 talk of pure food
cases to United States attorneys. Mr.. Nc
| Cabe held. said Or. Bigelow. thus corrobo-
/ rating DR.. Kebler, that all aid given by the
department 70 United States attorneys must
come through him, McCabe.
| DIR. Bigelow was asked 10 give the details
! Of the fight by the Indiana state officials
/ 10 get the testimony Of DIR. Wiley and his
associates for use in the Indiana ben2oate
! Of soda fight
! Il had some definite ideas on the subject
I Of henzoate Of soda. and was willing 10
state them" said Dr. Rigelow. but 7 did
not want 10 oppose the position Of the Sec
rotary Of Agriculture IL he did not want me
/ 70. nor 10 appear In position Of insubor-
| dination'
| The witness said that although his per
sonal attorney had told him he would be
I In contempt Of court, he had followed
Solicitor McCabe's advice, that he could
| not be made 10 testify as 10 the Wiley
"poison squad" experiments.
| The committee expects TO finish its in
yestiga ton before the adjournment Of Con
gress. and if possible make q report to the
| House at this session. DR.. Wiley was
| ready 10 take the witness stand to-day,
/ but Chairman Moss put on the other wit
nesses. It is expected Or. Wiley will tes-
| tify tomorrow.