The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-09-15
President Taft Writes a Letter
to Secretary Wilson
UphOlding the Chief of the Bu-
reau of Chemistry.
NO CRITICISM
But Praises Man Marked for
COndign Punishment"
Says Recent Investigation Was
Not Conducted Fairly.

Beverly. Mass. Sept 15.-Tbe resir-
nation of DR.. Harvey w. Wiley. chief
OF the bureau OF chemistry in the de-
partment of agriculture, and probabi,
the best known pure food expert in the
government service. win not be asked
for by President Taft. despite recon-
mendation that it be requested made
the personnel board Of the department.
and endorsed by Attorney General
Wic<ersham.
The 'condign punishment" for Dr.
Wiley. which Mr.. Wickersham held TO
he necessary viii not be meted out by
the chief executive. The presidents
opinion carrying no word OF criticism
for DR.. Wiley but many a word OF
praise, was made public here today.
There is no indication in il that the
president feels that he turned down
Mr. Wickersham by not accepting his
recommendations. He explains that
the attorney generals findings in the
case were made with less complete
data than were before him when he
took it up.
In the opinion the president admits
what has been well known to many
persons close to the administration
that there is trouble in the department
of agriculture. Speaking Of the con-
gressional inquiry into that depart
ment unfinished at the last session. but
to be taken up again next winter. Mr..
Taft SAYS.
THE broader issues raised by the in
vestigation which have much
weightier relation than this one 20 the
general efficiency OF the department
may require more radical action than
the question have considered and de-
cided''
That this statement indicates a seri-
Gus shakeup in the department next
winter. was freely predicted here to-
day There have never been any inti-
nations that Secretary Wilson was dis
posed to retire and it is not believed
here that the president would request
him to do so. A general cleanup of al
fairs In the department. however. could
easily be required by the president and
carried through when he returns to
Washington I'm November
History OF the Case.
The Wiley case" arose over the en,-
ployment by the bureau Of chemistry
of DR.. II. II. Rusby of New York
pharmacognosist of the bureau. in ef-
rect DR.. Wiley. DR.. /. +. Kebler. chief
OF the drug laboratory. and DR. w ID.
Bigelow. assistant chief OF the burea1.
were charged with having conspired TO
pay DR.. Rusby salary OF 81, 500 a year
with the tacit understanding that he
was to do only enough work to secure
this amount al the rate of 500 a dav
This was held to violate the act OF
congress Of March Is. 1898. which de-
clared that no classified scientific in
Vestigator should receive more than 80
a day. In addition TO the recommenda-
tion that DR.. Wiley be allowed 10 re-
sign, the personnel board held that Dr.
Rusby should be dismissed that DR.
kebler be reduced and that DR.. Bige-
low be allowed to quit the service
None OF these recommendation is up
held in the presidents opinion.
Dr. Kebler is reprimanded for dis
ingenious conduct" in his letter writ
ing to DR.. Rusby and the president
says that the letters suggest a will
ingness to resort to evasion" that calls
for official reproof DR. Bigelow is held
to have been "over jealous" and "A
reprimand by Secretary Of Agriculture
Wilson to whom the opinion which is in
letter form, is directed. is ordered by
the president. Dr. Rusby is held to
be as guiltless as Dr. Wiley in this
particular matter. A charge against
him, however. OF securing the appoint
q physician and expert whom he could
use to do his work at a very small
stipend when he himself was called
away the president holds 10 be mot
especially creditable" The case. the
president says has made apparent the
doubtful extensive policy OF placing
limitations upon bureau chiefs to exact
per diem compensation for experts"
The government. he says, Ought not
to be at q disadvantage in this regard
and one cannot withhold ones sympathy
with an earnest effort by DIT. Wiley
to pay proper compensation and secure
expert assistance in the enforcement OF
so important a statute as the pure food
law, certainly In the beginning when
the questions arising under IL are OF
capital importance to the public" The
presidents conclusions, he says. were
eConftr,rod IN pov. MAJ