The San Francisco call., 1908-11-14
METCALF RESIGNS
FROM The CABINET
Secretary of Navy Compelled to
Retire Because of Continued
III Health
President Roosevelt Accepts
Letter With Reluctance and
Names Newberry Successor

WASHINGTON. Nov. I8.-Secretary
of the Navy Victor 4. Metcalf today
rendered his resig ignation to the presi-
dent 10 take effect December !, on ac-
count OF in health. Assistant Secre-
AIRY Of the Navy Truman Newberry
will be named as Metcalf's successor
For more than q year the fact that
sIr. Me1calf has suffered serious III
ness has been well known at the navy
department Formerly Of vigorous
health. his friends expected that he
would be able to regain his strength
bat constantly recurring illness has
convinced him that the only course Tor
him 10 pursue is 10 sever ms connec-
tion with all active work MetcalI
has suffered from q nervous break
down that has rendered il impossible
for him TO remain at his desk for any
length Of time, and the chronic nature
Of his trouble has caused him 10 apan
don hope of recovery while burdeneo
with the care Of Office. On April 10
last he went 10 California TO review
the Atlantic battleship fleet be took
q long vacation, hoping 10 be perma-
nently benefited thereby. returning
here September !. Upon his resump-
ton OF Official duty his illness prompt
ly REQUIRED, and he frankly told the
president that he could not remain IN
the cabinet.
Mr. Newberry had never filed any
important public Office prior 10 his
appointment as assistant secretary Of
the navy November I. 1903. Before
that sine he was in business IN De-
troiL
Tie following correspondence was
given our from the White House to-
aight,
Navy Department Washington. Nov
f-.,-.,,-- +-.-,5s,- ,,,-- rasfe-na-
tion as secretary Of the navy, the same
10 take effect on the 1st proXimo- Very
Y II. METCALF.
Secretary Of the Navy
The President, White House, Wash
The White House. Nov 10, 1908.
Ny dear Metcalf: ] accept your res
ignation with real reluctance and only
because you tell me that il is impera-
tive that YOU must 90 on account OF
the state Of your health. | had earn
estly hoped that you would be aole 10
continue with me throughout my term.
3 thank YOU warmly for your faithful
and efficient service in both Of the de-
par1ments al the head Of which you
have served under me But. my dear
Metcalf. YOU have always been more
than the head OF the department, you
have been "a cabinet minister upon
whose aid and advice. and above all
rpon whose sta aUnch and steadfast 10y
altN- I could rely upon On any ana all
0ftt.a elHLE- NO UIE~4NELL tOulQ WISH
more total and heart support than you
always have given I thank you for it,
Z SHAH miss you when you leave the
abinet. and I wish YOU well in what
ever work YOU may undertake and
wherever your life may lead.
With regret. therefore. I accept your
resignation, TO take effect upon the
frst day Of December With all good
wishes. faithfully yours
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Hon. Y. Il. NetcaIf
The retirement Of the only Pacific
coast member of the cabinet has re-
Nfved speculation as to the makeup
Of the Taft cabinet as affecting the
coast. Taft is disposed 10 make a
place for a Pacific coast man in the
cabinet. but no inkling has been given
as to persons or the places that would
be filled If Metcalf had been in gooc
health 1t is probable he would have
been asked to remain. as he and Taft
are warm friends. Now that he has
retired the field appears to be open
To other Pacific coast men. Among
those mentioned for cabinet places are
William r. Wheeler. assistant secre-
tary Of commerce and labor who
would probably become head of that
department if Secretary Strauss should
be shifted TO another portfolio; George
a. knight and Francis J. Heney. Heney
was mentioned as an available attor-
ney general