The Washington herald., 1912-03-16


and drugs TO determine whether they
were adulterated or mlsbranded, and that
II this examination disclosed such facts
the matter was to be referred TO the
courts for decision. Interest after inter-
est engaged in what the Bureau Of Chem
istry found to be the manufacture of
tlisbranded or adulterated foods and
drugs made an appeal TO escape appear
ing in court to defend their practices.
Various methods were employed to Sc
cure this end, many Of which were sue
cessful
"one by one found that the activities
pertaining to the Bureau OF Chemistry
were restricted. and various forms of
manipulated food products were with
drawn from Its consideration and re-
ferred either to other bodies not contem-
Mated by the law. or directly relieved
from further control. A few of the in
stances OF this kind are well known.
Among these may be mentioned the man.
ufacture Of so-called whisky from al
cohol. colors. and havors: the addition
to food products OF benzoic acid and its
salts. OF sulphurous acid and Its salts,
of sulphate OF copper, Of saccharin and
of alum: the manufacture OF so-called
wines from pomace, chemicals, and col
ors; the floating OF oysters often in pol
Iuted waters for the purpose of making
them look fatter and larger than they
really are for the purpose OF sale; the
selling OF moldy, fermented. decom-
posed, and misbranded grains; the offer
ing TO the people of glucose under the
name OF corn sirup, thus taking a
name which rightfully belongs to anoth-
er product made directly from Indian
cornstaIks
The official liberation and valuation
Of such practices have restricted the ac-
tivities OF the Bureau of Chemistry to a
very narrow field. AS a result of these
restrictions l have been instructed 10 re-
frain from stating in any public way my
own opinion regarding the effect of these
substances upon health. and this restric-
tion has inteRered with my academic
freedom of speech on matters relating
directly to the public welfare.
False Charges Made.
These restrictions eliminated in the
summer Of 1911 with false charges of mis-
conduct made against me by colleagues
in the Department Of Agriculture. which,
had II not been for the prompt inter-
ference on the part Of the President of
the United States. to whom am pro-
foundly grateful. would have led TO my
forCible separation from the public serv-
ice, After the President OF the United
States and a committee Of Congress as a
result Of searching investigation. had
completely eXOnerated me from any
wrongdoing in this matter. ] naturally
expected that those who had made these
false charges against me would no longer
be continued in a position which would
make repetition Of such an action pos
stble. The event, however. has not sus-
tained my expectations in this matter.
was still left to come into daily con-
tact with the men who secretly plotted
my destruction.
II am now convinced that the free
dom which belongs to every private
American citizen can be used by me more
fruitfully In rallying public opinion TO
the SUPPORT OF the cause OF pure food
and drugs than could the limited activity
left 10 me in the position which I have
just vacated. / propose to devote the |
remainder Of my life, which such abil- |
ity as I may have at my command and |
with such opportunities as may arise, to |
the promotion of the principles of civic |
and Industrial integrity |
which underlie the food and drugs act, |
in the hope that II may be administered |
In the interest OF the people at large
instead Of that Of a comparatively few
manufacturers and dealers
support of Public.
This hope is heightened by nv belief /
that great majority OF manufacturers |
and dealers in foods and drugs are hear
t!ly in sympathy with the views / have
held and that these views are indorsed |
by an overwhelming majority of the
press and the citizens of the country.
In severing my Official relations with
the Secretary Of Agriculture / take this
OF thanking him for the per
sonal kindness and regard which he has
shown me during his long connection with
the department.
Il cannot leave the Bureau of Chem
lstry without expressing to my assistants
or all grades my appreciation OF their
loyalty and devotion
Secretary Wilson'S Acknowledgement OF
DR.. Wiley's res.gnatio was very brief
and formal. Il read:
The above resignation is hereby ac-
cepted.'
President Tafs gave out this statement
last night:
Il am very sorry to lose DR.. Wiley.
who has done a great work in initiating