Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-05

Der % President Eliot presented the fol-
lowing letter:
President Eliot's Letter.
ITO the President and Fellows of Har-
ward College.
Gentlemen: hereby resign the ONCE
Of president of Harvard University. the
resignation to take effect at your con-
venience, but not later than May 10. 1900.
THE presidents intimate association
with the other members Of the corpora
ton in common service to the university
is one Of the most precious privileges Of
his highly privileged ONCE. For this asso-
citation with the fifteen friends who are
dead and the seven who are living shall
always be profoundly grateful.
"Congratulating you on your labors and
satisfactions in the past and on the sure
prospect of greater labors and satisfac-
tons to come, am, with high respect,
your friend and servant.
October 10, 1908
It was voted that the presidents resig-
nation be regretfully accepted, to take ef-
feet May 10. 1903.
Shock to the Alumni.
To the whole body of Harvard alumni
the resignation came as a tremendous
shock.
The first question that came to the lips
Of everybody was: Why?
One of the fellows Of Harvard College.
who did not wish his name to figure. said:
Il knew that President Eliot contem-
plated resigning, but personally | have
not heard any specific reason advanced.
OF course it must be remembered that
President Eliot is very close to his sew
enty.ffth birthday and has served the
,,,,s1 81 ~, arf1
face Of things would appear to be ade-
quate cause. Mind you, / don't know that
President Eliot has given any reason or
that he will, but II is fair to assume that
he feels that he has done his share of
work and that he has reached an age
when 1t is natural for man who has led
an active and influential life to lay aside
responsibilities and take matters easy"
President Eliot's Reason.
President Eliot attended the corporation
meeting yesterday. In the corridors he
was greeted by several friends who ex-
pressed their extreme regret at his decis-
ion to lay down the reins as head Of the
university. He received their regrets with
mis- customary genial smile. but had MOTH
ing TO say beyond regretting that the
work was getting to be more than he
cared longer to bear.
When asked by the reporters II he had
anything to say relative to Lis reslgna-
ton and its acceptance beyond the state
ment given out from the corporation
President Eliot smiled and said:
mo. The statement tells all there Is
to say There is nothing I can add to 1t.
for 1t tells its own story
Question Of Successor.
From now on until the actual date the
resignation goes into effect the matter
Of the selection Of a successor to Presi-
dent Eliot will occupy the attention Of
the governing board. Every member o.
the board realizes the serious nature Of
the task before it and that 1t will not
be easy - find a man qualified to take
up the work Of Dr. Eliot and carry it
along as successfully.
In accordance with established proceed
ure the election of new president will
be made by the corporation. and its choice
will be communicated to the board of
.overseers for its consent. Because of the
heavy responsibility attached to the
choice Of q successor to President Eliot
the action OF the governing bodies will
be extremely deliberate, and there Is not
the slightest indication as to the time
when such choice may be made.