The Washington times., 1913-04-17
THE CASE OF PROF. MOORE.

Denled the privilege or reSlgnng; Wills
Moore, for near twenty years chief of the Weathe
Service, has been summarily removed. The case
not without its elements of similarity to that of Har
vey W. Wiles. and Prof Moore suggests this par
allel for whatever it is worth.
For years the conduct of the Weather Burea
has been under fire. Time and again it has been ir
vesgated, and each time the charges against it hav
come to naugnt If Prof. Moore has been ver
bad man all this time, and yet has succeeded in fool
ing everybody that started on his trail he is cerainl
an awfully smart man.
1t will be recalled that when the plot to. driv
DIR. Wiley from the Government service had reached
its climax, the Department of Justice came forwar
with recommendation that ''condign punishment
be inflicted on the pure food pioneer Coming from
the law department, that looked at first like yer!
solemn pronouncement yet on investigation it wa
found to be based on vicious perverson of mali
cous accusations. Dr. Wiley was completely vim
dicated before tine public.
Again, Dr. Charles G. Elliott chief of the drain
age division in the same department, summaril,
removed from Office and the law authorities were
quoted in support of the action But after nvestga
ton and long delay, Elliott and two others who suf
fered with him. were reinstated and given complete
bill of good character.
pears to be the methods adopted in promoting his
candidacy for Secretary of Agriculture. 1t very
early became apparent tnat his candidacy was OBJ.
jectionable to powerful people in the councils of the
incoming Administration. Prof. Moore would have
acted the part of wisdom if in the circumstances he
had dessted He knew he had long been opposed
vigorously by persistent enemies. He should have
known that his candidacy was affording them a new
opportunity for attack 1t would seem that, if there
was in his mind any consciousness of wrongdoing,
he would not nave dared persist in his candidacy 1t
was an invitation to his enemies to do their worst.
Prof Moore cerainly did not act like man fearful
that any bots would be exposed on his escutcheon.
Just what the proprietes may be considered to
dictate as the correct course for Government Of
fcer who seeks a promotion seems trife vague. 1t
is hard to believe that bureau chief ought to be de-
MED the privilege Of. aspiration to higher post.
Members of the House of Representatives are pretty
generally candidates, active or passive, for promotion
to tine Senate Members of both House and Senate
are privileged to be candidates for Presidential nom
nations without any thought of criticism. Messrs.
Clark, Underwood, La Toilette, and others do not
appear to have lost in the confidence of their as
socates the country, by reason that they aspired
to Presidential nominations. If Senator or Con-
gresham may with propriety aspire to the. Pres-
tency, and from his seat in Congress conduct his
campaign for the higher post may not bureau chief
assume to 90 higher? The examples of James R.
Garfield. of Frank H. Hitchcock and others who rose
from bureau positions to the Cabinet, have been
cointed out repeatedly gratifying evidence of the
opportunities that Government service afforded to
The right kind of men.
If Prof Moore has misused the power OF his Of
ice in his own political behalf; if he has used Gov
,rnment money to promote personal ends, then the
dismissal is entirely justified But if he has been
dismissed on ex parte statements, without knowing
he charges or having a chance to defend himself,
here is flavor of autocracy about it that will not ap
zeal to persons who have the Wiley and Elliott cases
II mind. 1t appears that there is to be good deal
more of investigation into this case To dismiss an
ccused official and then proceed with the nvestiga-
ion is suggestive of sentencing first and trying a
erward There snould in justice to all concerned,
e prompt and thorough prosecution of the inquiry,
md Prof Moore should have chance to state his
wn case with the least possible delay.