Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-07-04

others were silent. Director Ralph of
the bureau of printing and engraving
simply said bis relations with Mr..
MacNeagh We're all right
Treasurer McClung did not want to
discuss it.
Washington. July S.-A COMPRESSION
al investiga ton of Sec. Macveagh's
administration in the treasury depart
ment is periding as one of the results
of row of long standing between the
seeret2ry ind one of his assistant sec
retaiies, u, PLAT Andrew, which cul-
minated. today. in Andrews resigna-
ton sw hours later Rep James Cox
of Ohio. introduced a resolution pro-
posing u complete investigation OF Mr..
MacVcagh's administration
Washington. July "A. Platt An
dreVFs, today, rendered his resigna-
tio'l to President Taft as assistant
Sc cretary of the treasury. In spir-
led letter to the President Mr. An
drews writes of conditions in the
treasury department which are al
legged TO be due to the attitude of
Secretary MacNeigh toward many of
lls suhordnates
Assistant Secretary A. Piatt An
crews letter of resignation charges
| that subordinates in the treasury de-
partment have been hampered and
discouraged at every turn by Seere-
tary MacNeigh's idiosyneraeies and
his incapacity for decision.
1t contains scathing arraisnment
of Secretary MaeNeagh's administra-
ton of the governments financial af-
fairs and created a profound sensa-
ton in official circles
one portion of Andrews letter to
the President is susceptible of being
interpreted to the effect that other
high officials in the treasury are dis
satisfied with Secretary MacVeagh's
treatment % them.
For further evidence of the pecu-
liar difficulties which surround the
handling of business in the treasury, >"
he suggested that President Taft con-
suit Lawrence Q. Murray. comptrol-
Ter of the currency, Lee MeClung,
treasurer of the United States, Jo-
seph +. Ralph. director of the bureau
of engraving and printing. Charles A.
kram. auditor for the postoffice,
Royal +. Cabell. commissioner of in
ternal revenue. James Knox TAYLOR.
former supervising architect and
Charles d. Norton, DR. Andrews pre-
decessor and former secretary to the
President.
DR.. Andrews letter to Secretary
MacNeigh. advising him of the resig-
nation, disclosed the hitherto unpub-
lished fact that Mr.. MaeVeigh was on
the verge of leaving the cabinet in
December. 1910. In one part the let
ter says
You cannot forget how | stood by
you when You We're on the point of
having taken from your hands what
was probably the most important un=
dertaking of your administration.
When the White House. in December.
1910, without consulting, with you.
and entirely without your knowledge.
entered into negotiations for an issue
of Panama bonds, the embarra ssment
of the situation threatened to force
your resignation. You will remember
that | did everything in my power to
avert Your humiliation and that l 10y
ally agreed to resign and leave the SER
vice with you if your resignation be-
came necessary
DIR. Andrews letter to the President
says in part:
In presenting my resignation of the
office with which you have favored me
deem it proper to acquaint you with
conditions which have existed in the
treasury for the last two years, at
least, and which are of grave concern,
not only to every official of the treas
ury, but also to the many thousands
throughout the country who have bus
mess to conduct with hits department.
For long time the transaction of
much of the treasurys business has
been at a standstill and an outbreak
OF some sort has been imminent. Time
and again heads of the great divisions
of the treasury have found themselves
unable TO carry on the business en-
trusted to them and have been dis
couraged to the verge of resigning
their position. because they We're un-
able to obtain any opinion or decision
from Mir. MacVeagh upon urgent ques-
tons which had been before him for
many months. AT the same time they
have invariably been reproached by
INN for such limited action as they
may have been compelled to take on
their own responsibility.
MIR. MacNeagh's mental attitude Is
dlffleult to realize by those who have
not had intimate everyday experience
with it, Toward many of the higher
treasury officials he has from time to
time displayed an aversion suspicion
ana dlstrust which. in view of the fact
that these officials were men Of his own
choice would seem inexplicable in a
man of normal mind. For many months
at time he has persistently refused
even To speak to these officials of his
department with whom he should nat
urally have been in constant personal
communication.
Although | have supposedly been
the representative of the secretary in
ms dealings with 10 different bureaus
and divisions of the treasury, | have
not been allowed in the aggregate
total of more than one hours CONVEX
satien with him. including private in
terviews and conferences i'm the pres
ehce OF others, during the entire past
year Meanwhile | have sent him
hundreds of letters and memoranda
asking a decision in regard to mat
ters urgently pending. On very rare