Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-03
Andrew, Assistant to Sec
rstary Of Treasury, Of
fers Resignation.
BUSINESS NEGLECTED
Charges Head of Department
Has DemoraIized Affairs by
ProCraStinating Attitude.

Washington. July 3.-A. Piatt An
drew today rendered his resignation
to the president as assistant secre-
tary of the treasury. In a spirited let
ter to the president, Andrew writes Of
conditions in the treasury department,
which are alleged to be due to the attt-
tude of Secretary MacVeagh toward
many of his subordinates. The letter
charges subordinates have been ham
pered and discouraged at every turn
by MacVeagh's idiosyncrasies and his
incapacity for decision" 1t contains
a scathing arragnment of MacVeagh's
administration of government affairs"
and created a profound sensation in
official circles.
BUSINESS At sTANDsTIIL.
/ Andrew tells the president that for
a long time much treasury business
has been at a standstill because "a de-
/ lays for which the secretary alone is
responsible, but for which the people
outside harshly criticised his sub-Tdi- 80
mates. The secretary himself was even
more harsh whenever he discovered
his subordinates had ventured TO act
upon matters of minor Importance
without waiting for his decision, An
drew says.
DECISIONS HELD UP.
They have been unable to carry on
business entrusted to them, he con
tinues. and were often on the point of
iresigrpig. Decisions of MacVeagh. he
declares. upon urgent questions. have
been held up for months. Andrew also
charges MacVeagh with being distrust-
full and suspicious of many of the
higher treasury officials. and for
months at time persstently refused
even TO speak to those officials of his
department with whom he should ma.
turally have been In constant personal
Communication"
LONG ON PROCRAsTINATIoN.
In this connection he mentions
the names of Mr.. Hilles, formerly in
the treasury department but now sec
rotary to the president; Treasurer
McClung, Director of the Bureau of
Printing Ralph, and says there are
others besides himself.
Andrew refers to MacVeagh's "as-
founding capacity for procrastination,"
and cites instances in which he says
matters submitted to the secretary for
decision were held up SO long they
settled themselves before a decision
was made.
LABORs UNDER DELUsION.
There has never been a time An
drew goes on, since 1 have been in
the treasury when he has not labored
under the deiusiou that some OF nose
working Loyalty and conscientlously
l for him were in a cabal conspiring
against him. This has led him TO
treat some Of his most efficient aides
with harsh ingratitude and with a lack
Of consideration that was little short
OF brutal
on VERGE or QUITTING.
Andrews letter to MavVeagh. advis-
, ing him of his resignation dis loses ne
hitherto unpublished fact thai si.c-
Veagh was on the verge of leaving
, the cabinet In December, 1910. This.
Andrew saws, was when the White
house. Without consulting with you.
INA entirely without your know ~.
entered into negotiations for the is
sue OF Panama bonds"
TAFT ~ STATEMENT.
a He reminds the secretary that in
+ order 10 save him the Illumination, he
= offered TO leave the service IL the
secreJary's resignation became neCes-
sary. The White house made pub:
the statement written by President
q. Taft:
"Andrcws' resignation as assist
+, ant secretary Of the treasury was re
/; quested, submitted and accepted In
>, view Of his failure 10 obey orders Civ
|, en- him bv the secretary.' This was
: tie only comment the president had
70 make
IOBERTs MAY SUCCEED.
AuLrcRs' resignation becomes ef-
- fe~tIyg a. once. George Z. Roberts,
!, director 0: the mint. is prominently
- mentioned Is mis- successor
Prior TO Andrews appointment as