New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-22
M'COMBS WON'T ACCEPT
! THE FRENCH MISSION
Tells President He Cannot A.
ford to Give Up His Life Work
! To Be Ambassador.
EXPENSE A FACTOR
Democratic Chairman Feels He
. Should Not Take Office I'm
! til Wilson Has Reward
{ ed His Friends.

ft rom IT ne tribune bureau
: Washington. March 21.-William r.
NcCombs, chairman of the Democratic
National Committee. declined to-day
for the second time President Wilson's
sfer of the French Ambassadorship.
2 Mr. McCombs in a formal statement
Issued not long before midnight to-
night says he appreciates the high
lfonor the President has conferred on
Tim 10y offering him the post, but points
DIT that his acceptance would involve
It sacrifice greater than he should make
rnamely. that he would have TO give
Up his life work, the practice of law.
BIS statement follows:
s"To-day | communicated to the
president my final decision as to the
very great honor he has done me in
rendering me the Enthusiastically to
France, with assurances of my pro-
fsund appreciation. No public position
Within his gift could be more attractive
r. me personally. In view Of its very
great dignity and importance | have
naturally weighed the matter with
Inuch care.
After recOnsidering the tender. the
same motives as We're in my mind be-
f1re have impelled me to decline. The
acceptance of the post would involve
greater sacrifices than I should make.
4 i do not feel that can afford TO leave
rty life work. the practice Of the law.
T. feel compelled TO devote myself 10
ny personal affairs. and at the same
time ] will lend any assistance in my
power that will contribute to the sue
cess of the Democratic administration
and the Democratic party"
when Mr.. McCombs declined the Of
fer Of the French post. about ten days
ago. President Wilson asked him TO re
consider. as ne was anxious for him 10
tske the place. Since then Mr.. Nc
Combs has consulted his friends. with
The result that. following their wishes,
~ is going to stay in this country and
Continue to act as chairman Of the
Democratic National Committee.
sMr McCombs's declination was
brought about by two reasons. the first
q which was the big expense which
% acceptance of the place would en-
i'll. and the second his unwilliugness
g leave his friends i'm the Democratic
ranks. who he feels. should be re-
warded 10y the President for the ener-
eitic work they did i'm his behalf.
rNot many of these preconvention
Supporters OF the President have as
~ been taken care Of 10y Mr. Wilson
ssld il is common gossip that the ma
tsonal chairman feels that he should
not accept office until he has presented
10 claims of his friends to the Presi-
dnt i'm a way that viii insure their
selection for good places.
Ut was reported here that the Presi-
ami wanted Mr. McCombs to give
"a his place as chairman Of the Ma
tional Committee. should he accept the
French post. and this Mr. McCombs
declined to do. ON the ground that he
considered it too important a place tC
rtlinqush.
sMr McCombs said tonight that he
expected to go back TO New York to,
morrow. but that he would make fire.
q5ent trips here TO confer with the
Resident. IN the meantime he vii
make preparations for resumption
OF his law practice which has been
sadly neglected. His plans also cal
TOR vacation in the near future. as he
- greatly in need Of a rest.
Before reaching decision Mr.. Nc
combs had a long conference with
Henry White. formerly Ambassador to
France. He discussed with Mr.. White
tse quetion Of expenses in Paris and
other matters relating. to the post. Mr.
McCombs held d short conference with
TFpsidpnt Wilson tonight