The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-17

ferred the subject to the department
of justice for inquiry.
Secretary Houston of the agricul-
tural department, who conferred with
the president before the removal of
Mr.. Moore was announced issued the
following statement:
'Imm ediately after the resignation
of Professor Moore was accepted by
the president, charges were filed with
the secretary of agriculture by re-
sponsible men within the service.
These charges were of such a grave
nature that the secretary of agricul-
ture called upon the department or
justice for an investigation. The in
vestigation is still under way, but the
facts so far secured and laid before
to warrant him in deciding to with
draw his acceptance of Professor
Moore's resignation and remove him
summarily.
Burns Also to Be Suspended
1.-THE president has also directed the
secretary of agriculture to suspend
Mr.. Charles T. Burns. an employee
of thu weather bureau, pending
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 have been unduly active or using
the public service for private ends.
The letter to Secretary Houston di-
recting Mr.. Moore's renewal was not
made public, but it was stated at the
White House that it. charged such ir
regularities and misuse Of power as to
require the immediate dismissal of the
weather bureau chief III the interest
of the 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 had been canVassed and that a
campaign had been con-
Quoted among the weather bureau en-
ployees.
Moore Was "Goat'' for Congressman.
Professor Moore has been a target
for attack in congress. A few days
ago Representative Fowler (Il1.) in
troduced a resolution calling on the
secretary of agriculture to advise
congress regarding the appropriations
Tor official travelling expenses of the
weather bureau employees. The reso-
luton asked for information as to
What journeys were performed by
Charles t. Burns, under official or
1ers, and under what instructions, be-
tween July 1, 1912, and February 2S, |
asst, and also called for data regarding
circulars and other matter printed
at government expense and used by
he chief of the weather bureau in his
campaign for secretary of agriculture |
during the last fiscal year.
The house committee on expendi- !
-ures in the agricultural department |
lad planned an investigation last |
rear into the weather bureau, but was |
prevented from making it on account |
IF other special matters. Representa-
i've Moss (Ind.) and Democratic MEM |
oers of the committee, did take up |
special charges filed against Profess
;or Moore by James Berry, a former |
employee of the weather bureau,
which related to misuse of the con-
ingent fund. The committee, Mr.. |
Moss said never found enough in these |
charges to press them. 1t is proposed, |
however, to conduct a thorough inves- |
igation of the bureau as soon as the |
committee is organized, which prob /
IDLY will not be until the regular ses-
ion next winter.
Fowler Makes Nasty Charge.
Representative Fowler, of Illinois,
Who has a resolution before the house
or the investigation of the weather
bureau, said it was founded on
charges by James d. Berry, a former
Employee of the bureau, who declared |
lie has furnished President Wilson a
list of forty employees of the weather
bureau, who have been advanced in
alary an aggregate of $3.50 in the
asst five years in return for political
york for the former forecaster The
Berry charges cover alleged ''irregu-
arity'' extending over the last three
II four years. and refer principally to
he alleged efforts to promote Pro-
essor Moore's candidacy for secre-
raf rv-fS IL