The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-27
HAS ROCKY ROAD.
DR.. w. ID. Bigelow Meets Opposition
in Plan to Succeed Wiley.

Washington, March 27.-Dr. w. D.
Bigelow of Kansas, assistant chiefe OF
the bureau of chemistry of the de-
partment of agriculture, who is an
avowed candidate for prom otion to be
chief chemist is having rocky road t.
travel.
The vigor with which his candi-
dacy has been advocated has aroused
considerable antagonism among the
officials now In the department. This
opposition is coming from officials who
have for eth past few years opposed
DR.. Wiley's administration of the pure
food law. AS has been stated before
in the State formal, DR.. Wiley has en-
dorsed DR.. Bigelow for the appoint
ment.
In commenting on the subject the
of 1.-THE Suggestion of Intimidation" "
published the following editorial:
THE prevalence of bad disciplinary
conditions in the department of ag-
ricu1ture is again strongly suggested
by the methods adopted by supporters
of DR.. w D. Bigelow to .>ress his can
didacy for chief of the bureau Of
chemistry.
ut appears that a roster of all the
chiefs of divisions of the entire bu-
reau was prepared in advance, and OPP
posite the name of each was left a
blank space, in which he was expected
pOintment of DR.. Bige1ow. The petit
ton. thus signed, would be directory
of the attitudes of the division heads;
at a glance, it would be possible to as
certain who had signed and who had
refused to do SO.
Some employees very properly re-
fused to sign, protesting that the whole
proceeding smacked so strongly of in
timidation that it was not possible with
self-respect to attach their names.
1.-THE whole affair is suggestive of the
sort of clique rule that has prevailed
in this bureau under the czarship of
Solicitor McCabe- 1t may be that Mr..
McCabe has nothing whatever to do
with this particular performance, but
the method adopted indicates that the
McCabe methods have come to be ac-
cepted as correct.
Employees of such a bureau ought
under no circumstances to be drag
ooned into support of any man. DIR.
Bigelow has insisted that he had moth
ing to do with preparing the petition,
and did not know of it till it was IN
circulation. The more reason why he
should interfere, and decline to have
such means employed in his behalf.
There is every reason why the ap-
pointing authority might desire the
recommendations of the people who
will come most intimately into contact
with the new chief; but forcing advice
upon the president, or the secretary
of agriculture, in such fashion, is
carrying matters too far"
Because of the character of the con-
test now being carried on the inside of
the department, it seems doubtful if
DR.. Bigelow would land the appoint
ment. The president indicates to all
callers that he is in no great hurry to
fill the vacancy created by the resig-
nation of DR.. Wiley. He is looking
for the best man that possibly can be
found in the country. A letter has
been sent to the heads of the various
state universities and other education
al institutions throughout the state,
urging recomme ndations to be made
of some one who might fit the job.
After this Information has been re-
ceived at the White House, the presi-
dent and the secretary of agriculture
will decide on who is best to name.