Evening star., 1912-07-04
Andrew Went to Convention
AGAINST Chiefs Orders.
MADE REASON FOR CUSTER
Secretary of Treasury Said to Have
Threatened to Resign.
INQUIRY NOT YET DECIDED ON
House Committee Has Not Yet Acted
on Resolution Authorizing
Searchlight on Affair.

The fact that A. Piatt Andrew, until
yesterday assistant SECRETARY of the
Treasury, went to the republican national
convention at Chicago, disregarding the
instructions of Secretary Macveagh to
remain at his desk. is given as the reason
for requesting his resignation. At least,
this is the explanation offered in official
circles 1t is known, however, that re-
lations between the Secretary and his as
sistant have been strained for at least
a year.
DR.. Andrew, some time previous to the
Chicago convention, informed Secretary
MacVeagh, it is stated, of his intention to
go to the convention, where he was to as
sist in framing the financial plank OF the
platform. Secretary Macveagh, it is said,
declined to grant permission for the trip.
declaring that he wished DIR. Andrew to
remain at his desk in the Treasury.
The then assistant secretary, however,
refused to heed the instructions of his
chief. it is said, and was present at the
convention.
However, those who have known of the
retary MacVeagh say this is merely the
official excuse. and that personal differ
ences. temperamental in nature, were the
actual cause for the upheaval in the
Treasury yesterday.
Goes to New England.
DR.. Andrew left late yesterday after
noon for New England. 1t is not believed
he will meet Secretary Macveagh. who is
also in New England, as the letter ad-
dressed my DR.. Andrew to President Taft
and the one sent to the Secretary himself
were of a tone not calculated to increase
tween the two men. No successor to DR..
Andrew has been selected, and 1t Is not
believed likely his successor will be
named for several days.
Owing to the absence of many OF the
Treasury officials from the city today. on
account of the holiday, no additional
statements could be obtained in regard to
the situation precipitated yesterday by
DIR. Andrews resignation. Several OF the
officials mentioned in his letter to the
President as being dissatisfied with the
existing condition Of affairs in the de-
pariment have, however, denied that any
friction exists between themselves and
the Secretary. though in one or two In
stances the denials were more or less
equivocal Director Ralph of the bureau
of engraving and printing, who was cited
by DIR. Andrew as one OF those with
whom Secretary MacVeagh was unable to
maintain friendly relations, said last even
ing that no trouble existed between him
self and the Secretary, saying their re-
lations were 'all right" when asked to
explain just what he meant by the words
''all right" Director Ralph merely re-
peated them.
Vigorously Dissents.
Royal f. Cabell, commissioner of in
ternal revenue, however, vigorously dis
sented from DIR. Andrews statement, and
declared that his relations with the Sec
retary are all that could be wished
Treasurer Lee S. McClung refused to
discuss the matter in any way, as did
Lawrence o. Murray, controller of the
currency.
1t was. stated yesterday afternoon that
when Secretary MacVeagh learned that
DR.. Andrew had gone to Chicago in
defiance of his directions, the Secretary
saw President Taft and made the state
ment that one of two things must be
done-Andrews services must be dis
pensed with or Me would leave the cabi-
net. Senators Crane, Lodge and Smoot
it Is stated, held several conferences with
the President and Secretary MacVeagh
in an effort to straighten out the tangled
affairs in the Treasury Department, the
effort being directed, 1t is said, largely
in the direction of retaining DIR. Andrew
in the department without causing the
Secretary to surrender his portfolio. The
mediation of these three powers In the
republican councils, however, proved
fruitless, Secretary MacVeagh standing
firmly on his declaration that there was
not room in the Treasury for himself and
his assistant. The request for DIR.
Andrews resignation followed the failure
OF the three senators to smooth matters
out.
Formerly at Harvard.
Dr. Andrew was formerly a professor
of finance at Harvard University and has
written several books that have become
standard text books on financial matters.
He was for a time director OF the mint
and also secretary and expert adviser
Of firich monetary commission. 1t
was wNp ne was holding the latter posi-
ton that Dr. Andrew was made third as
sistant secretary of the Treasury. and
the statement is made that for time he
held the three government positions at
the same time. being the only govern
| ment employe on record who ever held
| three jobs simultaneously thing that is
| forbidden by statute. Yesterday DR.. An
drew declined to discuss this point.
| Whether the charges made by DR.. An
drew against the administration of the
Treasury Department are serious enough
/ TO demand an Immediate investigation by
| Congress will be determined by the House
/ committee on expenditures in the Treas
/ ury Department at the first meeting of
the committee after the resolution calling
| for an investigation has been adopted.
| This committee is headed by Representa-
| tive William L. Cox of Indiana, while
the resolution calling for an inyestisa-
| tion was introduced late yesterday after
| noon by Representative James NJ. Cox of
Ohio. The resolution was placed In the
| hopper on the Speakers table shortly
| before adjournment yesterday and still is
| to be acted on by the House.
Statement of Cox.
Representative Cox of Indiana, head OF
| the investigating committee. was asked
today by a Star reporter whether he had
started to look into the charges by DR..
Andrew.
NO he replied: Il have not, because
| / have no official knowledge of the reso-
luton. l read about it In the papers to-
| day. but II was simply introduced
yesterday and has not been adopted. If
| the situation is as serious as pun ported
| by the statements made, / would say an
| investigation is necessary: but, on the
other hand, the trouble may be simply a
personal one between the two men,
Before the resolution can be acted on
| by the House it must be favorably re-
ported by the committee on rules OF
chairman. and the measure is in his office
| today. The committee may meet tomor-
row.
Representative Cox OF Ohio says he