The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-10-02
PERSON QUITSPOST
TO RELIEVE TAFT
Auditor for Treasury Says
He Has Not Resigned
Under Fire.

Il have not resigned under fire. NV
action does not mean defeat IT was
taken to relieve President Taft OF an
embarrassing position"
This was the explanation given this
morning by Robert $ Person. who has
rendered his resignation as Auditor OF
the Treasury for the Interior Depart
ment
Mr.. Persons resignation. rather than
being q victory Tor Senators Gamble
and Crawford. the two South Dakota
statesmen who are said TO be behind the
opposition 10 Mr. Persons continuance
In office. marks the beginning OF an
open warfare between the Republican
factions of South Dakota which will
eliminate at two primaries next June
At that time representatives in, the
lower house of Congress ana a State
ticket will be nominated by the Repub-
leans. which is equivalent 20 an cleo
tion. and at that time the insurgent En-.
pubiicans hope to gain the upper hand
The apparent defeat OF Mr.. Person in
Washington viii give them the kew to
victory in South Dakota. declare the
Auditors friends.
Effective December 7.
Mr.. Persons resignation will take Of
fect on December J. While the auditor
refused TO discuss his plans this morn
ing he declared he would remain in
Washington this winter and intimated
that he would be I'm the thick OF the
primary fight in South Dakota next
June
Il have been working under high
pressure here" he said And I need a
rest 1t is also about time for me TO
lend a hand, to some Of my political
friends That may engage my atten-
ton this spring
Il is not thought any action will be
taken on Mr. Persons resignation for
several days.
"Of course l cannot make known the
contents of my letter of resignation. 80
he said. THAT must come from the
other end 10 is lengthy and contains
a review of the work done here since I
have been in office I believe 7 owe
that much to myself and to my fellow
employees. Therefore / have put our
work on record.
Does Not Need It.
'Thc President probably does not
need MY statement. He seems to be in
touch with what has been done here. [
understand he has declared that my
resignation would relieve him Of en-
barsssment and the harry Of continued
worrying OF the Senators who demand
ed my removal, but that he would not
ask for Il. Since he took that attitude
The only thing left for me to do was 70
resign"
Mr. Person talked at length of the
situation in South Dakota. From his
admissions and from the accounts OF
his friends. he seems 20 be a. leading
factor IN the present factionai fight
in the Republican party.
Things are I'm such a tanEle out
there that Il is hard TO get head or
tail Of the situation Mr.. Person de-
clared. There have been insurgents
for year or more. Now there are
insurge The opposition to
my tenure OF office has drawn many Of
the stalwarts the supporters Of Sen
ators Gamble. and Crawford, TO my
side. / have friends among the reg
ulars as well as among the various
branches OF the insurgency.
Whichever way things turn in the
spring, ! am free to predict one thing
The Crawford regime will fan at that
time. and though both will continue
In the Upper House for several years,
and though they may retain the upper
hand In Washington their rule In
South Dakota viii be about at an end"