Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-16
DIR. Wiley's Resignation.

Dr. Wfley's resignation as chief of the
chemistry bureau OF the Department Of
Agriculture 10 not q surprise, but 1t is
nevertheless, q serious Disappointment to
the people Of this country. In the course
of his twenty-nine years of service In
that position he has done work Of i'm
mense importance and value, until his
name has become familiar to every
American, and is accepted as synonymous
with the effort to prevent the adu]tera-
ton Of the food supplies. He has stood
firmly for high standard Of purity and
against all forms of fraud and harmful
manipulation Of food materials until he is
regarded by the great mass of the con-
suIners as their representative and pro-
tector About him have ragged many con-
troversies, and tho more he has been at
tackled by interests against which he has
moved in his Official capacity the more
definitely he has been considered as the
defender OF the public health There has
probably been some exaggeration of esti-
mate as to his work. but certainly no sue
cessfuI attack has been made upon his
sincerity and singleness of purpose and
there will be general and widespread re-
sret now at his decision to leave the serv-
ice where he has been so useful.
In his statement Of the reasons actual
ing him In this decision DR.. Wiley re-
cites briefly the circumstances of the re-
cent attack upon him on charges which
were dismissed by the President and also
by a committee Of the House of Repre-
sentatives. He manifests disappointment
that following his vindicauon those who
were active In the movement against him
off hot
he was compelled to continue in daily
association with them. 1t does not ap-
pear that this continued relationship ac-
tually interfered with the enforcement
of the pure food law Dr. Wiley does
not make such an assertion, and it must
BE- accepted that his embarrassment was
rather personal than official. 1t is to be
regretted that ne could not see his way
clear to continue, especially as he had
received the plainest evidence of the
Presidents confidence. and as his useful
ness administrator of the pure food
law had not been impaired.
In his program for the future Dr. Wiley
declares that he feels he can do better
and more effective service in the pure
food and drug propaganda as a private
citizen than in his official position. He
uotS MOI specify tile means Wn1cn lie
proposes to adopt to this end, but it Is
understood that one of the purposes he
mas in mind is to accept an editorial posi-
ton, III which he can continue to preach
the doctrine of health protection and
urge the establishment of a national de-
partment devoted to the physical welfare
of the people. Without question, better
organization of the governments forces
for the conservation of health can be
effected At present the federal bureaus
which have to do with this question are
scattered between several Jurisdictions.
and there is no concentration, such as
the subject demands. Bills are pending
in Congress to remedy this condition In
his new work Or. Wiley will command
public attention, and it is to be hoped
that he will not depart from the high
plane that he has occupied in his fight
for purity OF foods and drugs, but will
continue to labor for honesty of manufac-
ture and sale in matters affecting the
public health, without yielding to politi-
cal temptation or to personal animosities
or appeals to partisanship.