Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-07-29
DIR. SURFACE WILL
FIGHT DISMISSAL
Says That He Has Aroused
Enmity of Many People by
His FearlessnesS

DR.. H. A Surface. the State Zool-
ogist. who has refused to resign at the
request of the State Commission of
Agriculture, to-day declared that he
was the victim of politics being played
on Capitol Hill. He says that Gov
ernor Brumbaugh has not yet been
heard from and that he has always
been his friend. DR.. Surface also says
that II he believed that the people of
the State wanted him to resign he
would do so, but that he is not con-
vinced.
The State Commission will meet
Monday and it is intinated that if the
zoologist does not resign he will be
dismissed. He says he will not resign
at the request Of the commission and
is inclined to fight.
In his statement DR.. Surface says:
II do not know why l should be
asked to resign. My services have been
rendered faithfully and effectively and
I have been loyal to all superior Of
ficers and have worked in harmony
with all persons concerned. There are
no charges against me, and, of course,
none can be brought. The Agricultural
Commission evidently believe that the
citizens want change. but the people
who constitute the last resort are aris-
ing by thousands and saying they want
me to remain in this service. l have
not heard an expression of the will of
the Governor, but he has certainly
been friendly.
Il am especially qualified by train
ing, taste and experience to do the
work of this office in a practical man
ner and l am willing to work in close
harmony with all persons concerned. l
would be glad to receive directions or
suggestions from any or all of my su-
perior officers and to labor faithfully
with them for the common end of inn
proved agricultural and horticultural
conditions in this State. There is great
work possible, and l hope to help do
it. The results of my labors in the
production of better fruits are only
commencing to make themselves mani
fest.
MY work in Pennsylvania is not
finished, and many persons feel that it
should not be interrupted now when I
have their sconfldence, and they are
willing to follow my directions and OBJ
tain good results. l have Investigations
and notes for publications under way,
for the completion OF which proper
time should be given, for the sake of
the public.
in the fearless prosecution of duties
have made enemies. and l know these
have been relentlessly after me. Also
some may say that this action is due
TO politics, but | trust my friends will
not offend my superior officers by a
repetition of such unnecessary refer
ence. AS / understand 1t, the plan of
the commission is purposely to keep
politics out of the department. There
is no reason whatever why it should
enter into agricultural affairs, and
am certain that the actions of myself
and of thoseSnear me in the office have
not at any time been dominated by it.
"All ask is chance to continue
in good work fol others. and | have
faith in the Pennsylvania people,
whom | love, to the effect that they
Will not rest until their desires in this
important matter are made known
fully. II I could believe that many of
my fellow citizens really want me to
do so, but If they want my services
continued. as they are now saying by
the thousands, in letters to members
of the Agricultural Commission, the
Secretary of Agriculture and to the
Governor and to myself. shall be glad
to remain and serve them just as long
as possible.
This letter is a plain. practical
statement of the case, as far as / see
1t and know it. l do not feel any dis
grace in connection Herewith, with
the knowledge in my own conscience
that l have done no wrong and have
used every effort to help render q
Igreat service"