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INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMIXTRY
Vol. 15, No. 1
AMERICAN CONTEMPORARIES Harvey Washington Wiley
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Under his direction substantial contribution was made to agricultural chemistry, especially to the chemistry of cereals and HERE is a large fraternity, unorganized and unofficered, of soils. He was a potent factor in the development of the beet“Men Who Worked under Dr. Wiley.” When chance sugar industry and introduced chemical control into the canebrings two or three of them together, some one invariably asks, sugar industry-resulting in extensive and fundamental changes “What do you hear of the old man?” and someone always re- therein. His office early became the headquarters of the Assomarks, “Isn’t he a wonder?” ciation of Official A&icultural Chemists. Certain characteristics stand out as the Shortly after he became chief of the Bureau, basis of this loyalty. First of all, everyDr. Wiley was made secretary of that thing about Dr. Wiley is big-his body, his association, and remained secretary and mind, his policies, and his philosophy of life. editor of its proceedings throughout his He never “passes the buck,” but assumes official life, and since then has been its full responsibility for the work of his ashonorary president. sistants. Once, when directed by the But it is because of his work in connecPresident to discharge a subordinate, he tion with the control of the manufacture replied, “He was acting under my general of foods that Dr. Wiley is best known. directions. If his action was at fault I am In addition to epoch-making contributions responsible.” to the laboratory phases of the question, he early took the lead in the nation-wide moveDr. Wiley has always radiated vitality. ment for legislation to control the purity of He has never crystallized in opinions or habits. At seventy-eight he directs his foods sold on the market. Undoubtedly, farm, writes magazine articles, gives extenhis own personality was a great factor in creating the public interest that led in 1906 sive courses of lectures, and devotes more time than the average *father to his two to the adoption of the Pure Food Law of small boys. He also takes an active part which he was the author.. He is always in movements that relate to public welfare, convincing, arresting, and at times spectacular. He won national popularity through especially public health. A walk to and HARVEY W. WILEY the same buoyant friendliness that made from his office-a total distance of four miles-is his minimum daily exercise. His interest in athletics it necessary for him somewhat earlier in life to answer to charges that he had so far violated professorial dignity as to ride a bicycle has not abated and he takes especially keen pleasure in matters pertaining to baseball and football. He has always been known and play ball with the boys. He pays scant attention to precefor his great physical and mental vigor, quick wit, and ready dent and convention, and does not hesitate to establishpreceanecdotes. As a lecturer he has few equals. He humors his dents when occasion demands. In the conduct of the affairs of the Bureau of Chemistry, audience, recognizes its different elements, wins its attention, however, he insisted upon the strictest possible compliance and, finally, does with that audience anything he desires. His associates in the Bureau of Chemistry used to marvel a t with every law and every regulation. Under no circumstances his concentration. His mind focused like a lens on each suc- would he permit evasion or circumvention of the Civil Service cessive undertaking. He thought rapidly, formed his opinion, law or regulations. In the purchase of supplies he insisted on and then dismissed the subject from his mind. After a day of strict obedience to the laws governing such transactions and t o the most intensive work, even in the midst of his greatest con- the interpretation of the comptroller. On one occasion, when troversies, he always closed the office door on the problem, and it was pointed out to him that his attitude was neither in his when he reached the street was discussing other matters. Work, personal interest nor that of the Bureau of Chemistry-that it worry, excitement, or controversy have never interfered with his did not make for efficiency or economy-he replied, “That is the law. Some day there will probably be an investigation of sleep. this bureau, and our affairs will be found in order.” Incessant work and tireless application mark every period of Sterling integrity of mind and purpose, rugged straightforDr. Wiley’s life. As a child he worked on his father’s farm in Indiana. During his college life he cooked for himself the food wardness, and imperturbable good humor characterize all his that he brought from his father’s farm, and burned wood that actions and make the name of Harvey W. Wiley a household he himself had cut. As a medical student he supported himself word that links science with humanity. W. D. BIGSLOW by teaching Latin and Greek-his fondness for the classics has in no wise diminished. Indigo Investigations While a student in Berlin he became acquainted with the polariscope, an instrument then unknown in this country. Indigo is one of the most important dyes manufactured in the This was the real starting point of the activities that won for United States. The process a t present in use in this country Dr. Wiley the newspaper title of “Father of the Pure Food Law.” has been not altogether satisfactory, and an investigation has undertaken by the Bureau of Chemistry with a view of Returning to Purdue, he persuaded the university to purchase been substituting an alternative method for the preparation of this a polariscope and secured an appropriation of fifty dollars from dye. A survey of the entire process has been made, and the rethe State Board of Health to defray the cost of samples of sugar, sults obtained indicate that indigo o€good quality can be obtained a t a somewhat lower price than is possible by the method now sirup, and honey. vogue. In 1883, when he was thirty-eight years of age, Dr. Wiley was in A new dye similar in dyeing properties to indigo has been appointed chief chemist of the United States Department of made from cymene; a waste product obtained in the preparation Agriculture-a position which he held for nearly thirty years. of paper pulp from certain resinous wood.
