The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-09-15
PRESIDENT
MAKES No
CRITICISM
Praises Food Expert Rather
Than Condemn Him
Opinion However Not Turned
Down for WickerSham
Weightier Problems VIII Come
Up Later

Beverly, Mass. Sept. 15.-The reslg-
nation of DIR. Harvey w. Wiley. chief
Of the bureau of chemistry in the de-
partment OF agriculture and probably
the best known pure food expert in
the government service, win not be
asked for by President Taft. despite
the recommendation that was made by
the personnel board OF the department
and endorsed by Attorney General
Wickersham.
THE condign punishment for DR..
Wiley, which Wiclcersham held to be
necessary, VIII not be meted out by
the chief executive. The presidents
opinion, carrying no word OF criticism
for DIR. Wiley but rather a word of
praise. was made public here to-day.
There Is no indication in It that the
president feels he turned down"
Wickersham by not accepting his rec
ommendation He explains that the
attorney generals findings In the case
We're made with less complete data
than was before him when he
took 1t 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 congressional i'm
CURRY into that department, unfinish-
ed at the last session, put to be taken
up again next winter, Taft saws:
The broader issues raised by the In
vestigation, which have a much
weightier relation than this one 10 the
general efficiency Of the department
may require much more radical action
than the question / have considered
and decided"
That this statement indicates a SER
fous shake-up in the department next
winter, was freely predicted here to-
day. There have never been any init
nations that Secretary Wilson was
disposed to retire and it is not belleweds
here that the president would requesti
him to do so.
A general cleanup Of affairs In tiles
department. however. could easily be
required by the president and carried
through when he returned to Washing
ton In November.
"rhe Wiley case" arose over the en-
ployment by the bureau of chemistry
OF Dr. H. Fl. Rusby Of New York, phas-
macognosist of the bureau. In effect
DIR. Wiley, DIR. L. f. Kebler. chief of
the drug laboratory. and DIR. w. d.
Bigeiow, assistant chief OF the bureau
we're charged with having conspiredl
to pay DR.. Rusby a salary Of ST 500 a
year with the tacit understanding that
he was TO do only enough work to se-
cure this amount at the rate of $50
a day.
This was held 70 be q violation OF
the act of congress Of Mar. is 1893.
which declared that no classified scien-
tific investigator should receive more
than so a day.
In addition to the Recommendation
that DR.. Wiley be allowed to resign.
the personnel board held that DIR.
Rusby should be dismissed, that DR..
Kebler be reduced and that DIR. Bige-
low be allowed TO quit the service.
None OF these recommendations ara
upheld in the presidents opinion.
Or. Kebler il reprfmanded for Adisi-
genous conduct" in his letter writing
TO DIR. Rusby the president says that
the letters suggest "a willingness to
resort to evasion" that calls for on
cial reproof. DIR. BigeIow is said ia
have been over zealous.," and a rep
rimand by Secretary of AgriculturA
Wilson, TO whom the opinion, which IN
tn letter form. is directed, is ordered
by the president
DIR. Rusby Is held to be as guiltIeam
as DIR. Wiley In this matter. The
charge against him, however. Of se-
curing the appointment on, the COM
mon laborerB' role OF pkysacian and
expert whom he could use to do bid
work at a very small stipend when he
himself was called away the pruag.
dent holds to be mot especially credit
able"
The case the president says, has
made apparent 'the dOubtfga leeanlat-
tve policy OF placing limitations upon
bureau chiefs to an exacs per diem
compensation Cor experEH''
The government, he saad. ought not
to DO ct disadvantage In fhis regard
and one cannot withhold onass SYM
pathy with the earnest efxnwt made ~
Or. Wiley 70 pay proper compensation
and secure expert assistance I'D tia
enforcement or 30 Important saaaaatal
- the pure food Ia;w. certainly 1t least
in the Beginning when the questions
arising under 1t are Of capital lrn<s
portance to the public.