Evening star., 1911-08-21


anything of the alleged secret agree
ment concerning the latter's employ
ment. he threw little additional light
on conditions In the bureau OF chem
istry.
Would Drive Him West.
He did say, however. that IL there
was a row In any other bureau under
him. such as had been raging IN the
bureau of chemistry, he would take
the first train for the other side OF :he
Allegheny mountains"
Secretary Wilson was an interesting
witness and the committee members
and the hundreds of people in the au-
dience had many opportunities 10
smile. The proceedings were interrupt
ed shortly after the Secretary began
to testify, by the activities of street
piano grinding out Casey Jones just
outside the windows OF the hearing
room When that was over q little
ba by in the arms Of an interested wo-
man in the audience. began to cry
and had to be removed. After that
the hearing proceeded smoothly.
The Secretary was on the stand from
10 o'clock until noon and resumed his
testimony at o'clock this afternon.
Free to Refuse Answers.
After the committee had been called
10 OIG6I anu 1lidtf <aocS nav iio ohoN
the large audience into quiet ne an
nounced that he had preliminary state
ment to make. He ahereupon told Secrs-
tary Wilson that .he members OF the
committee appreciated his appearance be-
fore them, and that he might answer or
decline to answer the questions put 10
him.
'The committee will not consider II a
discourtesy," said Mr.. Moss IF, for good
dlPli
| rogatories put to you.
The Secretary smilingly replied that any
question asked him would have TO be ''ex-
treme'' before he would decline to reyiy.
"You may do as you please, Mr.. Moss
remarked. codrteously.
There are many things | might say.
the Secretary added, but after the state
ment by you of the committees generous
terms I think We can get right down 10
business.
How long have you been Secretary of
Agriculture, asked Representative Floyd
"Fourteen and a half years." Mr.. VIII
son replied.
Rusby Appointment Routine.
we have heard the versions OF others
| concerning the Rusby appointment. Mr..
Floyd said, plunging at once into the ex-
animation Of the Secretary. "and We
would like TO hear yours. What represen
tations We're made TO you in connection
with the appointment of DIR. III. III. Rus5N
of New York as pharmacoGnicist OF the
bureau of chemistry?
Wiley Brought Papers.
ITO come right to the point, re-
sponded the Secretary, Il was signing
papers one afternoon. as we all have
to do, and DR.. Wiley came to me and
10; haf vim ,is
is an arrangement with Rusby.'
signed IT. I had to do that. ! knew
1t was the appointment OF DR.. Rusby.
That was all right. l knew il was
for $1,000 That was all right. too.
But I knew nothing of any contract
or agreement with Rusby."
1T has been developed by Dr.
Wiley's testimony suggested Mr.
Floyd. that IT was first agreed that
| DR. Rusby was to receive $4,000"
Il don't remember DIR. Wiley bringing
| any 81 900 appointment TO me" the Secre-
tary declared. Il don't say that he ddn l.
but don't remember it"
Then Mr.. Floyd asked the Secretary il
there were any appointments in the de-
partment where a man received annual
! compen sa tion and was expected to give
only part of his time TO the govern
ment work.
"Oh. yes," Mr.. Wilson answered. "some
| OF our correspondents receive a dollar a
year. There are others who give US a
| part of their time. We engage them by
the day when we need them. But the
practice is not general"
Those arrangements are i'm the interest
of economy" Mr.. Floyd asked.
Efficiency Comes First.
THE first consideration with US" the
Secretary explained. lin getting hold OF
a man is his efficiency. Then We get him
for as little as possible
SO on the face of it," Mr.. Floyd con-
tinued. "the appointment OF Dr. Rusby
at 81 eco a year was not illeeal?
Mo- the Secretary answered. IL in
the making of the arrangement they did
not actually violate the law.
Have you stated all you know about
the Rusby contract" Mr.. Floyd asked.
II might tell you briefly how the mat
ter came before me-" the Secretary said
"The letter from DIR. Kebler. chief OF the
drug division, to DR.. Rusby suggesting
that the latter had the matter In his
own hands, and explaining that ire
might work one day a month and
receive his regular salary. we3 brought 10
me- When things like that come to me it
Is my duty TO see IL there is anything
wrong I turned the letter over to l..s
personnel board Of the department"
At the request Of Mr.. Floyd the Sec
retary then explained the duties OF the
PooA q 0A drug inarecfion boa I'd AcomUO1o6