The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-04-19
WEATHER CHIEF FIRED,
WILLIS Il. MOORE DISMISSED
FROM SERVICE By PRESI.
DENT WILSON.
PerniciOus Political Activity Given as
reason for Summary Discharge
IL Said to Have used Office to Fur
ther His Own AmbitiOns-Resigna
ton Withdrawn.


the Cleveland administration, today
was summarily removed from office
by President Wilson. His resignation
recently had been accepted to take
effect July 81, after an investigat-
ton of his alleged efforts to become
secretary Of agriculture in the present
cabinet, grave charges of irregularity
were preferred and the president to-
day withdrew his acceptance Of the
resignation, dismissing Pro. Moore.
Later he referred the subject to the
department of justice for inquiry.
secretary Houston Of the agricul-
tural department conferred with the
president before the removal Of Mr..
Moore was announced. The secretary
then issued the following statement:
Immediately after the resignation
of Prof. Moore of the weather bu-
reau was submitted to the president
and accepted by him, charges were
filed with the secretary Of agriculture
by responsible men within the service.
These charges were Of such a grave
nature that the secretary Of agricul-
ture called upon the department of
justice for an investigation.
THE investigation Is still under way
but the facts so far secured and laid
before the president yesterday were
sufficient to warrant him in deciding
to withdraw his acceptance Of Prof.
Moore's resignation and rer love him
summarily, which has been done to-
day. The president has also directed
the secretary Of agriculture to sus-
pend Mr.. Charles T. Burns, an en-
ployee Of the weather bureau, pend
ing further investigation of his case,
and take such disciplinary measures
as he may deem necessary with such
other employees Of the weather bureau
as may be found to have been unduly
active in using the public service for
private and personal ends" g.,
The presidents letter to Secretary
Houston directing Mr.. Moore's re-
moval was not made public.
Unofficially it was said at the White
House that the campaign to make Mr..
Moore secretary of agriculture had
been extensive. that members Of con-
gress in various parts in the couetry
had been canvassd and that a letter
writing campaign had been conducted
among weather bureau employees
Prof. Moore has been target for
attack in congress. Representative
Fowler Of Illinois introduced a res
oiution a few days ago calling on the
secretary Of agriculture to advise con-
gress regarding the appropriations
for travelling expenses for the
weather bureau, what amount Of sal
aries in the weather bureau was ex-
pended for promotions of weather
bureau employees during last January
and February and the comparative
ngures for the preceding four years
The resolution asked for information
as to what Journeys were performed
by Charles T. Burns. under official
orders and what instructions between
July l, 1912, and February 2S last
and also called for data regarding
and other matter printed at
government expense and used by
the chief of the weather bureau in
his campaign for secretary of agri-
culture during the last fiscal year"
the house committee on expendi-
lures in the agricultural department
had planned last year an exhaustive
investigation into the weather bureau.
but was prevented from making il by
the Wiley case, the Florida Ever
slades case and other special mat
iers. Representative Moss. of In
diana and Democratic members of
the committee did take up special
charges filed against Prof. Moore by
James Berry. former employe of
lhe weather bureau, which related to
misuse Of the contingent fund. The
Mr.. Moss said today. never
round enough in these charges to
press them for further inquiry. 1t is
prepared, however. to conduct q thor
ough investigation OF the bureau as
soon as the committee is organized.
which probably will not be until the
regular session next winter.
Prof. Moore issued statement to-
night declaring that the same innu-
ances that attempted to disgrace and
remove DR.. Harvey w. Wiley" were
responsible for his removal and
branding as UNANIMOUSLY false" any
ntimation that he had cocrced en-