The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-02-15
The Real Inside.

Those who are on the inside in
Washington affairs realize, perfectly
that, after the monarchlal-not to
say tyrannical-attitude Of President
Wilson. the most important diverg-
ence of view between Judge Garrison
and the president related to the Phil
ippines, a divergence which twice be-
fore very nearly occasloned Mr.. Gar
rison's resignation.
Here Is some OF the unwritten,
but clearly established, history. In
March, 1919, tho gravity OF the
floods in Dayton, o., and that vicinity
led the president to send Secretary
Garrison to the scene. Hardly had
he left town when Secretaries Bryan
and Daniels (who was always "mo
too" to Bryan) appeared at the
White House and urged the president
to appoint Joe Davies, then secretary
OF the Democratic national commit
tee and commissioner OF corpora
lions, governor general Of the Phil
ippines. The president. who had be.
come somewhat sensitive because
several men had refused preferred APP
polntments, replied that he would not
offer the place to Davies until he
learned that Davies would accept.
Bryan and Daniels departed to con-
suit Davies, but some friend quietly
wired Garrison what was doing. Mr..
Garrison Immediately wired the pres
ident:
II emphatically protest against
the appointment of governor gen
eral Of the Philippines during my abb
sence."
Then Bryan and Daniels came
back. Joe will accept and is de-
lighted with the Offer" they said.
But I have not offered him the
place." replied Mr.. Wilson, Il merely
commissioned you to ascertain If he
would accept" and, although con-
WINGED no was wrong. nothing they
could say would induce him to
change his position.
When Mr.. Garrison returned he
took the matter up with the presi-
dent, who asked: What is the mat
ter with Joe?" Mr.. Garrison replied:
"W. Cameron Forbes, the present In
is a high class broad
gauge man, regard the place as the
most important in my department.
and the success of my administration
of the war department largely de-
ponds on the ability of Mr., Forbes's
successor. l sympathiZe with your
desire to appoint Democrat. L have
against Davies except that
do not regard him as a big enough
man for the place"
The president Strengthened up and
said: Garrison, do you question the
right Of the president to appoint
whom he sees fit as governor general
Of the Philippines"
mo, Mr. President" replied Gar
rison, looking Mr.. Wilson in the eye.
81 merely want to make sure that
when you announce the appointment
Of Joe Davies as governor general OF
the Philippines you will simulta-
neously announce the resignation of
Lindley NJ. Garrison as secretry of
war"
oh" said the president, 'if you
feel as strongly as that about 1t, we
will say no more about the matter"
Meanwhile. however. Joe Davies
had told his friends, lin confidence"
that he was to succeed Forbes. and
here is the official confirmation Of
this story. Mr.. Wilson soon thereaf-
ter appointed Davies chairman OF
the trade commission, and when the
official typewriter statement was
given out at the White House it con-
tanned this concluding paragraph:
"Mr. Davies had previously de-
clined the governor generlship OF
the Philippines because he had young
and feared the effect on
their health of the tropical climate"
During all the time that Davies oc-
cupied the position Of commissioner
of corporations, which should be an
essentially partisan office, he had
continued TO hold the office and per-
form the duties of secretary of the
Democratic national committee.