The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-11-27

also Tor the same reason accept
your resignation as director general
or railroads, to take effect, as you
suggest, on the first Of January next
or when your successor is appointed
The whole world aon1ires, am sure
as do the skill and executive ca
paclty with which you have handled
the great and complex problem OF
the unified administration Of the rail
ways under the stress Of war uses
and will regret, as I do, to see you
! leave that post just IS the crest of It's
, difficulty is passed
i For the distinguished, disinterest-
ed and altogether admirable service
you have rendered the country in
both posts, and especially for the way
IN which you have guided the treas
ury through all tie perpleNities and
problems OF transitional financial con-
ditions and of the financing Of 9, war
which has been without precedent
alike in kind and scope, 7 thank yot.
with a sense Of gratitude that comes
from the very bottom Of my heart.
Gratefully and afectionately yours
woodrow WILSON,
| Mr.. McAdoo explained to. the CORE
| spondents that he had "absolutely no
/ other reasons" than those specified ic
his letter for the retirement. He said
he realized that many varied run1ors
usually accompanied the resignation
| OF an Official, but ne emphasized
again and again that he had no mo-
; tive or purpose except those men
toned.
He said he had no other reason "to
quit the Job" just at this time, and
dislike personally TO disassociate
himself officially from the president
but added that necessities Of prov;d-
ing a living for his wife and family
make this imperative.
A moment later one correspondent
suggested:
well, it is too bad, Mr.. Secretary
that as railroad manager you could
not have shared in the wage in:
creases WHICH you gave every one
else
Then, for the first time. Mr.. Nc
Adoo frightened and explained his
reluctance to take the action. He said
he had not yet looked around for a
job, as most prudent men do before
quitting" but declared he felt like
taking at least a three months res,
before looking for work He said
he hoped 20 leave Washington sooE
after January 1.
Mr.. McAdco said he had no ide&
who would be his successor or sue
cessors."
It is entire.y probable that the
president may fill separately the Of
fees OF secretary of the treasury and
director-general Of railroads. There
was nothing official tonight on which
to base statement Of who might be
under consideration for secretary O:
the treasury. On previous occasions
when a successor to Mr.. McAdoo was
being discussed John Skelton Will
| liams. comptroller OF the currency
and w. P G. Harding, governor of
the federal reserve board, have most
generally been mentioned. Pau! War
bugr, formerly member Of the re-
serve beard and prominent New
York banker, and Russell G.. Letting
we'll. assistant secretary Of the treas
>
possibilities.
President Wilson is not required &c
choose the new director-general or
railroads from among the cabinet
: members and it is possible that the
place may go to some one associated
with Mr.. McAdoo in the railroad ad-
! ministration. II the place should go
to some member of the cabinet. Sec
retary Baker Of the war department.
/ retary Lane Of the interior depart
ment are likely to be considered.
There was a possibility that the di-
! rectorship might have gone to Mr.
| Paher at the time the president de-
cided to give it to Mr.. McAdoo. 1t
was thought that government opera
ton Of the railroads as a war meas
ure was closely connected with the
! military program. but the president
chose Mr.. McAdoo because of his
knowledge of transportation prob
lens.
Postmaster General Burleson al
ready is operating the telegraph. tele-
phone and cable lines under govern
ment control. Secretary Lane IS init
mately versed in transportation diff
culties. particularly railroads. aid for
years was member Of the inter-
state commerce commission and Il.
one time chairman.
Walter E. Hines, assistant direct Or
general of railroads. formerly a New
York lawyer and chairman Of the
board of the Santa Fe. has bean init
mately connected with the develop
ment of government operation and
is among those discussed in Washing
ton tonight as possible successor 20
Mr. McAdoo as director-general
Mr.. McAdoo made the announce
ment of his retirement at one of his
weekly conferences with a score OF
newspaper men tonight in his pr-
vate office at the treasury. The mon
for an hour had been discussing WITH
him questions concerning future poli-
cies of the treasury and railroad adj
ministration and were about to arise
to leave when Mr.. McAdoo, seated a
his desk, remarked casually
''Now, gentlemen, / have just one