The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-04
PRESIDENT REBUKES SHAW.
THE SECRETARY roo STRENUOUS
IN SHAKING UP THINGS.

Acts on Charges Against Treasury Omcers
Made by Persons whose Reputations
De Not Entitie Them 70 Bs Heard-Is
investigating Charges Made by W. r.
wakeman Against Appraiser Robinson.
WARRINGTON, April sit was reported
to-day. on apparently good authority,
that Secretary Shaw was severely rebuked
by the President on the day the Secretary
left on his present trip TO Illinois and two
days before Mr.. Roosevelt started on his
tour to the Pacific Coast. The rebuks
was administered as q result OF difference
OF opinion between the President and Mr..
Shaw In regard to some OF the Secretary's
recent acts in the Treasury Department.
Although the exact cause OF the incident
IL not disclosed. 1t 10 believed the stirring
up OF the customs service In New York and
Chicago. an object on which Mr.. Shaw has
been bent for some time, called forth the
strong language used by the President.
It has been known for many months
by officers OF the Administration. who
enjoy close personal az well as Official re-
lations with the President, that Mr.. Roose-
welt has been greatly dissatisfied with Sec
Rotary Shaw's conduct OF the affairs Of the
sented to the President that the officers and
employees Of the Department, both In
Washington and In other cities, are In q
state Of mental decentralization on account
OF the large number OF dismissals that have
been made within the last few weeks. II
has also been said that the Secretary was
apparently willing TO listen to all sorts Of
allegations against Treasury officers from
x.h
such az to entitle them to be heard In criti-
cism OF others. This has had the effect OF
making hundreds Of Treasury employees
fearful lest they lose their places. and the
efficiency Of the service In that Department
has naturally been impaired.
When Mr. Shaw entered the Ca binet
early last year President Roosevelt gave
him carte blanche In the administration
Of the Treasury Department 90 far a. the
personnel was concerned, promising to take
his advice as regarded proposed changes.
not even excepting Assistant Secretaries OF
the Treasury 1t became known after q
few weeks that Mr.. Shaw proposed to get
rid Of Assistant Secretary Spauldins. and
the status of Assistant Secretary Taylor
was left in doubt for some time. The
Secretary's intention In regard to Gen.
opdulOinR was not carried out Until u low
weeks ago, chiefly ON account OF the efforts
that were made by strong friends OF that
officer to prevent his retiring.
Mr.. Shaw makes no secret Of the fact
that he contemplates other important
changes in the Department In the near
future. Although George Robinson has
been Assistant Appraiser at New York
only about two weeks. Secretary Shaw
V investigating charges against him pre-
ferrsd by Wilbur r. Waksman. the formsr
Appraiser Of the Port Of New York. who
was summarily dismissed from offioe by
President Roosevelt q year ago.
In view Of the apparently authentic re-
port that the President severely rebuked
Mr.. Shaw At the White House few days
ago, much Significance Is attached to the
remark Of the President In Chicago yestsr-
day, as quoted In The Sun this morning
The President said that he had no idea
Of removing Collector Of Customs Nixon
and Assistant United States Treasurer
Williams. and that the newspaper reports
that he had entertained such an intention
were erroneous. 1t Is well known to sew
eral persons in Washington. however. that
these newspaper reports were based on re.
marks made by Secretary Shaw. The
Presidents rebuke Of Secretary Shaw was
made on the day that the Secretary an
nounced his intention of going to Chicago
to investigate the Offices OF the Collector
Of Customs and the Assistant Secretary.