Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-07-22
W|LEY'S ASSISTANT
. HAS BEEN LET OUT
star Witness in the Benzoate Of soda
Case Dismissed by Secretary
of Agriculture Wilson.

Washington, july 18--A new and
star ling development aaying direct
bearing on the enoit ust DR.. Har-
yey w. Wiley from tic department. OF
agriculture, came to light In the dis
closure that one Of the foremost chem.
lists Of Or. Wiley's staff, Floyd w.
Robinson. has been let out OF the SER
vice
The significance of this can best be
understood when it is stated that Rob-
inson Is the star witness against ben
zoate Of soda In the suit now pending
in the federal courts "A Indianapolis,
suit that was brought by the food
commissioners of the state of Indiana,
and which may result In a death blow
being struck at the business of using
benzoate of soda as food preserva.
tive.
Robinson IL from Detroit, and re.
Gently has been employed in the pure
food and drug laboratory of the gov
eminent at New York. SO far as can
be learned, no charges have been
made against him, but he has been
notified that he has been dismissed
Tor the good of the service A Motif
cation to this effect has been sent to
him by Secretary Wilson. No notice
of charges has been given him. He
has demanded that he be app ised of
charges against him If any exist.
So far the department of agriculture
ie, cj1aut ou tba Y,1attar 0Hafa1c fhara
refused to make any statement about
Robinson's dismissal.
The circumstances of the ousting
of Robinson are such that this matter
will undoubtedly be looked into by the
house committee on expenditures in
the department of agriculture
Part of the Game.
Unless it can be shown by the de-
partment that there are substantial
reasons for the busting of Robinson
other than appear on the surface, the
case will present the appearance of
being a part and parcel of the move
ment by an element in the depart
ment of agriculture, the antiWiley
element. to get rid of the Wiley inau-
ence.
The Robinson case makes 1t seem
likely that the anti-Wiley movement
in the department does not stop at
Wiley. but 1t intended to reach to the
men that hold the same views he does
of the enforcement of the pure food
and drugs act.
Robinson was formerly state analy-
list of the Michigan dairy and food de-
appointed chief food and drug inspec-
ton chemist OF the bureau of chem
fstry. He was appointed after he had
passed a civil service examination and
had been put ON the civil service rolls.
After he was regularly employed by
the bureau of chemistry he was sent
to the laboratory at New York, where
he was one of the chief analysts. He
was paid on per diem basis.
Late in June he was compelled to
go TO Detroit to look after certain
matters of a private nature. He termi-
mated his connection with the depart
meut, but he expected TO be employed
and be paid on per diem basis for
such services as he might perform.
Soon after getting back to Detroit.
however. he was notified by Secretary
Wilson that he was dismissed for the
good of the service" Inasmuch. accord
ing to his representations, as he had
done the department excellent service,
heidi not understand why he should
be let out in way that was calculat-
ed to injure his standing. Nor has he
yet been apprised of why he was
dropped in the manner he was.