The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1913-04-18
HEAD OF WEATHER
BUREAU DISMISSED
Willis l.. Moore, Head of Bureau
Since 1898. Removed From Of
fce-Pernicious Activity Cause
of Discipline.

Washington, April 16.-Prof.
Willis l.. Moore, chief of the wealth
er bureau since 1895, and an an
pointee of the Cleveland admins
tration, today was summarily re-
moved from Office by President
wilson. His resignation recently
had been accepted to take effect
July 81, but after an investigation
of his alleged efforts to become sec
retary of agriculture in the present
cabinet, grave charges of irregular
ity were preferred and the presi-
dent today withdrew his acceptance
of the resignation, dismissing Prof.
Moore. Later he referred the sub
ject 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 Sec
retary then issued the following
statement:
CHARGES FILED.
immediately after the resigna-
ton of Professor Moore of the
weather bureau was submitted to
the president and accepted by him,
charges were fled with the secre-
tary OF agriculture by responsible
men within the ser e. These
ture 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 yes
terday were sufficient to warrant
him in deciding TO withdraw his ac-
ceptance of Professor Moore's res
ignation and remove him summar-
lily, which has been done today. The
president has also directed the sec
retary of agriculture to suspend
Mr.. Charles 7. Burns, an employe
of the weather bureau, pending a
further investigation of his case,
and take such disciplinary meas
ures 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"
The presidents letter to Secre-
tary Houston directing Mr. Moore's
removal was not made public.
Unoilicially it was said at the
w hi'S liouSt IudI lne campaign TO
make Mr. Moore secretary of agri-
culture had been extensive, that
members of congress III various
parts OF the country had been can
vassed and that a letter writing
campaign had been conducted
among weather bureau employees.
Professor Moore has been a tar
get for attacks in congress. Rep
resentatiVe Fowler of Illinois in
troduced resolution few DAYS
ago calling on the secretary of agri-
culture to advise congress regard
ing the appropriations for travelling
expenses for the weather bureau,
what amount of salaries in the bu-
reau was expended for promotions
OF weather bureau employees during
last January and February and the
comparative figures for the pre-
ceding four years. The resolution
asked for information as to what
journeys were performed by Char
les t. Burns, under official orders
and what instructions between July
/, 1912, and February 30 last, and
also called for data regarding cir
culars and other matter printed at.
government expense and used by
the chief of the weather bureau in
his campaign for secretary of agri-
culture uuIlnB lEe IdSJ nSCal year.
The house committee on eXpen-
ditures iii the agricultural depart
ment had planned last year an eX-
haustive investigation into the
weather burea, but was prevented
from making it by the Wiley case.
the Florida Everglades case and.
other special matters. Representa-
tive Moss of Indiana and Democrat
lc members of the committee did
take up special charges filed against
Professor Moore by James Berry, a
former employe of the weather bu-
reau, which related to misuse of the
contingent fund The committee,
Mr.. Moss said today, never found
enough in these charges to press
them for further inquiry. 1t is pre-
pared, however, to conduct a thor
ough Investigation as soon as the
committee is organized, which prob
ably will not be until the regular
session next winter
Professor Moore tssued state
ment tonight declaring that the
same influence that attempted to
disgrace and remove DR.. Harvey.
w. Wiley were responsible for his
removal and branding as Infe.
mously false" any intimation thar
ne mad coerced employees OF tbo
weather bureau in supporting him
LOT tho secretaryship or that pubIic
money mad been expended i'm his
candidacy.
huI. M