The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-16
COMR. WILLIAMS HAS RESIGNED
COlfPLI HENTiRY LETTER SENT
HIN ny THE PRESIDENT.
Washington has II That the Commissioner
Of immigration DID Not Get On win
His Asslsiant-aobert Watehorn. Now
of Montreal, the Proba Bile Successor.

WASHINGTON. Jan. Is The report pub
lshed In The Sun OF Jan and contradicted
bv persons who did not know. that William
Williams, Commissioner Of Immigration az
New York was about TO resign, was con
drmed to- day when his letter Of resignation
was made public with the announcement
tina, President Roosevelt had accepted his
resignation
No commencement was made OF the reason
for Nj. Willlamss action, but ~ IL wei
understood in official circles that diner
euces WITH Joseph Murray. the Assistant
Commissioner Of immigration were re-
sponslble for il, II is said TO be probable
that Robert Watchorn United states Com
missioner Of Immigration at Montreal ~h
succeed Mr. Wiiars
The relations Of Mr. Williams and Assist
ant Commissioner Murray have oeen
strained for come months and II was known
in Washington at the beginning OF thls year
that MIR. Williams would go If Nh Murray
did not. But the President saw no reason
for asking for the resignation OF Mr. Muir
ray. who s known az the Original hoose-
Welt man because, on behalf OF JACOB
Hess he suggested Mr.. Rooeeyelt'r nom-
nation FOR the first public ofioe heid oN
the President The differences between
Nj Williams and Mir Murray were manly
personal and did not AFFECT The EMERGENCY OF
the Ellis Island administration, which was
run IN "a way entirely satisfactory 20 the
President the Department of Commerce
and Labor and the Office OF the Cominis-
sioner- General Neither did the President
want Mr.. Williams 70 so, and he urged him
strongly 10 stay in Office. But Mr.. Will
liams was obdurate and the President
reluctantly accepted his resignation.
Mr.. Williams was here at Christmas on
visit 10 his mother Before that time his
differences with Mr.. Murray were known
TO the Washington officials concerned but
only n an informal way. and they saw no
reason for taking any hand III the trouble.
But the matter reached an acute stage
during the Christmas season, and II became
known early in January that Nj Williams
intended to quit. On Jan. Washington
officials said there wRe nothing IN the re-
port that Mr. Williams would resign and
on the same night Mr.. Murray told HE
SuS that he didn't believe Mr.. Williams
had any such intention. Nevertheless, the
resignation Of Mr.. Williams. while not ten
dered formally until five days later, was
then a foregone conclusion.
Mr.. Williams is well to do lawyer lie
did not seek the Office Of Commissioners OF
immigration on account OF the S. 900 salary
His administration has been OF the most
satisfactory character and the Washington
authorities regret that no has felt Obliged
to give up his post
Sir Yilliomx'a later II res gnajon is a.
follows,
pFPAnrMENt OF oAtNBG.R AND LABOR
IMsuGHAripS SERvtCR.
OTpfcE oP THE COMMISSIONER
NEW YORK. Jan. .. s0s
Ipg President. | have the honor to ten
der nly resignation of the oGice OF Commits
siopcr of Immigration az New York, to take
enaot Feb. 10 1905.
desire 10 thank you for the honor YOU
conferred upon mc 10 appointing me 10 this
interesthI position / viii always consider
lt privilege o nave held office while you
we're President, Respectfully yours,
WILLIAM WILLIAMS. Commissioner
President Roosevelt accepted Mr.. vii
'inms .gnatlon last Thursday IN the
following letter.