Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1916-02-17

USI ucSlSlldClnS MaJOT Ieneral 1ukn
J. Scott, chief of staff, to act as sec
retary of war "for a period not to ex-
ceed 30 days, or until successor
fed"
Washington, Feb. 11.-What the
president and the administration have
been dreading happened yesterday
when Lindley M. Garrison resigned as
secretary Of war.
But now that that is over with,
probably the president feels easier.
Garrison has been, threatening him
with this resignation ever since he
came into the cabinet.
Twice Offered Resignation
He offered it twice, once over the
Mexican policy and once when the
president wanted to make Joseph E.
Davies governor general of the Phil
ippines. He wrote it privately, ready
to be served, at the first Lusitania
crisis when Bryan was pressing the
president to accept arbitration.
He tore it up when Bryan, instead
of himself, was forced out.
Quits Over Continental Army
He finally resigned over the CONT
mental army scheme which he found
the president was not supporting very
hard.
Assistant Secretary Henry C. Breck
inridge also resigned as a mark of
loyalty to his chief and his resigna-
ton also was Immediately accepted.
General Hugh Scott, chief of staff of
the army, automatically became act
ing secretary of war.
Some days before the president
started on his western trip it was
known here that he was not going to
make fight for the continental army
but only for preparedness. Secretary
Garrison declined to believe it. But
the president went out and did practi-
cally what had been predicted, he
threw the continental army to the
winds.
Vexed Over Hays Visit
Garrison was pretty sore, and when
he leariied that Chairman James Hay
of the house military committee had
been to the White House just before
the presidents start for the west, and
told him the continentals were dead
issue, the secretary decided to quit.
However, to make sure of his posi-
tion he went to the president on Tues
day last, told him he had been asked
to speak on preparedness before the
United States Chamber of Commerce
and suggested that what he might say
possibly would not be in accordance
with the administration program:
He did this to put the president
finally on record on the continental
army. The president turned him
down cold, with retort that Mr.. Gar
rison might say what he pleased, pro-
vided he let it be known he spoke his
own views.
Rapidfire decision was Garrison's
great asset. 1t is not seem to be so
much question of right decision as
of getting there early.
He was always on hand when the
store opened with some decisions. He
was usually wrong.
He was wrong about the water
power question and insisted on being
more wrong every minute. So mark
ed was his antagonism to any policy
that savored Of putting public rights
above the vested variety that the !
friends of decent legislation became
thoroughly discouraged.
Lately they had taken to trying to
reach the president over Mr.. Garri-
sons head. The president was bom-
oarded with letters from conserva-
;ionists and the Garrison idea was
getting hard raps.
Method, Not Plan, Opposed
He had not reckoned with the opin-
on of congress. He had no capacity
o gage the opinion of congress. He
new only what he imperiously wish
d. He wished the continentals. Con-
,ress wished it back on him promptly.
}ut congress could have been led up
o the continental army. It had no
Inherent objections to it. .,.~.
1t has considerable objections to the
harrison ukase method of reaching
he question.
In loving Mr.. Garrison the presi-
ent has not lost any votes in con-
ress or out. No member Of the !
abinet had less personal or political
blowing than Garrison.
The country, however, will feel that
1e secretary of war was an able man ;
nd that the president has suffered a ,
'ss. In measure he has, but not
ne that cannot be overcome.
President May Name Houston
Up to late today the president had ,
ade no decision as to Mr.. Garrison:s
lccessor, but it looks very much as
he will turn to Secretary David
Houston of the agriculture depart t
ent. Mr.. Houston, although one of {
e strong men of the cabinet, is one s
the least known. He has an aver
on to publicity. It is believed that t
rankin K. Lane, also reported as be- r
g considered for the war portfolio, a
Ill be left in the interior department.
ormer Governor Judson Harmon of
Mo, and Richard Olney of Massa- n
usetts. also are discussed but their ?
vanced age initiates against them. '
Cabinet Shorn of Extremists
1t was a matter of comment today ];
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