The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1918-12-03
Politicians ARE
ASKING QUESTIONS
SECRETARY McADOO'S RETIRE
MENT FROM THE CABINET
AN INTERESTING TOPIC.
WHY DID He RESIGN FRO =
PRESIDENTS OFFICIAL | suY?.

His Course Two Years Ago
WASHINGTON, D. C.-Perf it
is lingering aroma from the lai D.
litcal campaign; perhaps it is lat
politics never has been and never will
be adjourned; perhaps it is the pro-
vincial atmosphere of place filled
with politicians-but anyway when
the national capital politicians read
the correspondence exchanged be-
tween President Wilson and William
G. McAdoo wherein the latter relin-
pushed the jobs of secretary of the
treasury and director general of rail
roads they calmly proceeded to ask
number of pertinent and imperti-
nent questions.
l. Why did Mr.. McAdoo resign
such important responsibilities at
time when the president of the United
States sails for Europe to be gone in
definitely?
2, If he must leave public office
why did he not wait for the presi-
dents return?
8. Does the departure of Mr.. Nc
Adoo mean an improvement or i'm
pairment of Mr.. McAdoo's opportuni-
ties to become the democratic nomi-
nee for the presidency in 1920?
Answer Given Readily.
Mr. McAdoo's friends had answers
for all these questions and they made
them with an air that carried con-
victiOn. In the first place they made it
very clear that he had apprised the
president of his intention to resign
Immediately after the 1916 election,
but had been persuaded to stay on in
view Of the complicated International
situation. With the war over Mr..
McAdoo felt that he could be re-
leased. He planned to quit anyway,
and the present seemed as good a
time as any. If he waited until the
president got back he would have to
map out a reconstruction policy for
the country's finances and railroads in
the meantime and would be in duty
bound to carry out those policies.
AS he intended to resign sooner or
later the period before the opening
OF the session of congress and the be-
ginning of the new year seemed the
best time within which to separate
himself from both the treasury de-
partment and the railroad admins
tration.
Work Ahead for His Successor.
Anyone who knows what the treas
ury department is up against just now
will agree that it is the parting of the
ways. 1t must make decisions now in
one direction or the other to carry
business back to normal in the next
twelve or eighteen months. Mr.. Nc
Adoo has given his ideas to the presi-
dent, who can, if he approves them,
transmit them to the new secretary of
the treasury, or he can decide in favor
Of the policy outlined by Mr.. Nc
Adoo's successor. But something
must be done now, and not after Mr..
Wilson gets back.
Mr.. McAdoo's personal reasons for
reslgning are very potent. He has
been overworking. His nerves are
unsteady. He needs a rest. He is 55
years old, but wants to conserve his
energy so that he can make enough
money to provide for his large family.
during the war the strain upon him
mas been incalculable. Beside his of
1clal sponsibilities he worried about
MS three sons. Two of them were
overseas on destroyer duty and naval
aviation, and a third in training for
aviation in this country.
Mr.. McAdoo would vehemently
deny any thought of politics, and his
close friends believe politics was not
Ihe controlling reason for his resig-
iEauon. They differ as to whether
MS departure helps or hurts his
chances for 1920. Had he been think
ing OF that, they say, he would have
His Chances Improved.
On the other hand, there are those
VINO think Mr.. McAdoo improves his
chances for the democratic nominal
uon by his going. He sewers his con-
Hecton with the Wilson administra-
I'oh and is free to advocate anything
ne pleases-to differ with Mr.. Wilson
On public questions and to speak his
views whenever he likes without feel
ing responsible to anybody but him
sell Tor those views. He leaves with
good record. Reconstruction is to
De difficult and perplexing job. He
HaS obtained sufficient political glory
~ handling important tasks during
tile War-finances and transporta-
yIoh. He could hardly hope to i'm
prove the popular impression of him
ny further activity in Washington
ana ne runs the risk of running his
health Furtherore, he tends to
make the democrats look upon him
On his merits-as William Gibbs Nc
Auoo, esteemed public servant, and
not merely the son-in-law of Presi-
dent Wilson.
Talk Of Secretary Baker,
Secretary Baker may emerge a
candidate before 1920 comes around,
ana many even believe he, too, ought
70 resign in order to be free to say
.Wvhat he pleases about public ques-
IONS ions OF all sorts. AS soon as his job
stayed on.
IN the war department is done, per-
laps he, too, will feel inclined to
se' pack to private life. He wanted
o ~ resign Immediately after the 1916
stay. ''''N 0s0" ~