The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-11-27
why M'ADO0 QUIT
Providence Journal.)

--rn. basic reasons for the withdrawal
Of William G. McAdoo from the caplnct
is not. as stated FOR public consumption.
the fact that the secretary or the treas
ury found IT impossible 10 live in Wash
Irgton on his official salary, but that nc
found himself in total disagreement with
what he considers the Presidents set
purpose to impose government owner
ship or government control or all pubiic
utilities on this country. He was DC
termined TO remain no longer member
Of a cabinet which was fast drifting
into that policy.
not live In Washington on his salary as
secretary Of the treasury. but It is
equally true that he has never been
able to do this since he first went 20
Washington 1t has never heen poSslnle
there. outside Of other expenses on
Mr.. McAdoo has never been a public
ownership man. He has always sincere,
" believed that the government should
not bring into Its own hands the opera
ton or ownership Of any public utilities
that could be run as well. or hctter'
under private control. His recent ex-
pericnce as Director General OF inc
this belief, but brought him into con
tinuous and acrimonious discussion with
Mr.. Wilson and some. OF his FELLOW
cabinet members on the subject OF inc
'He has insisted from the start that
rho roads be returned to their owners at
the earliest possible moment a1tHr nc
close Of tho war, consistent win thS
public safety and on the stipulation OIL
certain changes regarding corporation
Of movement and reduction OF unncc"S-
sarv competition. His ideas hive h""il
bitterly opposed With the signing OF
the armistice and the bringing up OF thc
entire question Of transportation re-
adjustment. the situation became SO
acute that he was compelled 10 max" ms
choice between rcsiEning as n mempcr
naming In office and helping to formu-
late n policy entirely dtstastcful to him.
"Wh,;u the President gave his SANG
ton to tho taking over OF the cables ny
Secretary Burlcson. Mr.. McAdoo. vicor-
ouslv opposed this move rs one disaS-
trous alike TO the political fortunes Of
the administration and the interests Of
the United States. The Journal is III
possession Of the fact that he presented
these ideas to Mr.. Wilson without any
! lnincing Of words ut the time ne %rot"
his letter OF resignation.
AT least two other members OF the
| cabinet arc in the sam" frame Of mind
! as Mr.. McAdoo. and men within ADMIN
! istration circles are well aware mat IN
! this attitude the insurgents ar" sup
| ported by Colonel House. who reached
! Inc parting OF the ways with Mr.. Burlr-
son several months ago.
IF Mr.. Nchdoo has ambitions IN IN"
! direction Of the Presidential nomination
! in 1920. he will not only not It" supported
| hv friends OF the present admniStr;t-
ton. hut will be strenuouSly opposed lay
| them. They arc already beginning 10
suggest that tho secretary of the treas.
! ury has seen fit TO disaSsocint" himself
, from Mr.. Wilson because u; these am
! billions Mon who ar" closest I" Mr.. Me
| Adoo. however. believe that he mas no
! desire 10 run for the Presidency. and
! that the only reason Tor has present si"'
! is his determination not t" put hims"ii
! in a false light among th"S" whn ha""
; boon his associates for years in has
! commercial enterprises, VIII" vol know
his attitude on government ownership
and who would resent his further con
! nection with nm administration which
! has started along that path.
! mr. McAdoO's futur" lies in m" com
! n1crcinl world. His withdrawal from
! private life at this time - pr""f that Ito
. docs not intend to sacriCir" IN" conf
dcucr and respect nt commercial and
: financial leaders who would naturally
: como into close contact with him III his
/ cuturc business career