Evening star., 1901-12-20
Will Probably Leave the Cabinet
Within Two Months.
NO FORMAL RESIGNATION YET
President Sustains Him in the
Wakeman Case.


from tne caDlnSC Wltnln lne HeAI tWo
months, or by early spring at the outside.
The formal resignation will be handed in
whenever the President has secured a suit
able man to succeed Mr.. Gage. 1t is the
intention of the President to go very slowly
in picking a new man to take charge of
this most important branch of the govern
ment. The President feels, it is said, that
it is going to be difficult for him to Sc
cure man the equal of Mr.. Gage in finan-
cial knowledge and ability, his peer in ex-
ecutive force, and possessing the confidence
of the business and commercial world to
the same degree as the present head of the
treasury.
That the President has sincerely endeav-
ored to dissuade Secretary Gage from Hav-
ing the cabinet is known, and that he will
continue to urge him to remain is extremely
likely. All stories that the President has
selected a successor to Mr. Gage are specu-
lative, as the President hasn't the least idea
himself to whom he will offer the treasury
portfolio. One reason for placing the re-
tirement some distance ahead is to enable
the President to have all the time he wants
for casting around for a good man. The
Presidents selection of new Secretary OF
the Treasury will be made with more care
than any act of the present administration.
The President fully realizes that the busi-
ness world wants a man of Mr.. Cages S
stamp to carry on the work of the great
post over which the present Secretary pre-
sides, and that the slightest lack of con-
fidence might precipitate serious busi-
ness depression.
No Disagreement With President.
All the rumors that Secretary Cages ac-
tion is based on disagreements with the
President are authoritatively pronounced
false. There has not been the slightest
n l,ptU
Secretary Gage On the contrary, their re-
lations are very pleasant, and the Secre-
tary of the Treasury has been honored by
his every recommendation being carried
out.
Summoned BACK to the City.
Secretary Gage Unexpectedly returned to
Washington early this morning, and went
at once to the White House. He had been
summoned by the President. and the in
ference was strong that it was in regard
to the question of his purported resigna-
ton. Secretary Gage went to New York
a few days ago with the intention of re-
naming until Monday. His presence in
New York caused the revival of the stories
of mis- resignation. The facts are that the
Secretary was summoned to return to
Washington because of the intention of
President Roosevelt to take summary ac-
ton in the case of Appraiser Wakeman of
New York. Mr.. Wakemans answer to the
request of Secretary Gage that he resign
by January / was received at the treasury
yesterday in the absence of Secretary Gage.
Another letter was received by the Presi-
dent from Appraiser Wakeman. This let
ter, much different from that sent to the
Secretary of the Treasury, is understood to
have personally attacked Secretary Gage
and made charges against him, the writer
supposing that his insinuations would never
get beyond the Presidents ear.
The President was indignant and came to
the conclusion that he would summariy
remove Mr. Wakeman, not waiting until
the time given the appraiser to retire.
Wakeman to Retire.
That the President carried out his inten'
tions of removal was shown in the an
nouncement made this afternoon that Mr..
Wakeman had been ordered by the Presi.
dent to retire from his position at once.
An assistant will be put in charge Of the
office until the Senate can confirm the
nomination of George w. Whitehead, which
will be sent to 1t just as soon as Congress
is again in session.
Secretary Gage remained with the Pres
ident from about 9:3O o'clock in the morn
ing to the conclusion of the cabinet meet
ing just before 1 o'clock. During the
cabinet meeting the Wakeman matter was
discussed with the understanding that Mr..
Wakeman was to Immediately feel the dis
pleasure of the executive authority. Cab
met members considered this an evidence
of the confidence Of the President in his
Secretary of the Treasury, and stated that
it would definitely show that there were no
differences between the two men,
Cabinet members said that the subject of
Secretary Cages resignation had not been
discussed, but there was feeling among
the members that such action on the part
of the Secretary was imminent.
Secretary Cages Statement.
olo
leaving the White House by newspaper
men, but was unusually reticent. He said
that he had not resigned and that If he ever
did sa the facts must come out at the
White House and not from him. Secretary
Gage said he had been so persstently pur-
sued about his intention that he had be-
come tired and much desired rest from
all these Inquiries. "If l ever resign the
newspapers will not receive the informa-
tion until it comes from the White House."
said Secretary Gage.
Beyond statements of this kind Secretary
Gage was immOvable and later In the after
noon declined to see any caller whose in
tention was to ask him about resignine.
Secretary Cages friends expressed thor
ough satisfaction with President Roose-
velt's course in Immediately removing Mr..
Wakeman They regretted that such ac-
tion was necessary on the part Of the Presi-
dent, but they held that 1t would undoubt-
dence Of President Roosevelt's feelings to-
ward Secretary Gage.
Secretary Cages retirement will probably
come about month, or close to that. after
Postmaster General Smith leaves the cah-
met, and he will make the second man r.
sever his connection with the new adminis-
tration What Mr.. Cages business nlans
are no one definitely knows. That Mr., cage
could re-enter banking circles at an m
precedented salary Is known. He has had
many offers since he entered the treasury
with President Mckinley and has declined
all Of them because his intentions have
been to retire from business When he
leaves the official family of the President
Secretary Gage will have served nearly Ave
years as Secretary Of the Treasury. During
the administration Of President McKinIev
there was no time when he did not have ths
unqualified support of his chief, and the two
men were personally fond Of each other to
the greatest degree.
Other ResignatiOns to Follow,
It is pretty generally understood that one
or two more retirements from the cabinet
will follow before there is an adjustment
that will remain for time without die
turbance. Secretary Long will leave of1fcial
life whenever the opportunity ID favorahla