The sun., 1918-11-24
The McAdoo Mystery.

No explanation of the unexpected
withdrawal which deprives President
WILSON'S Cabinet of its strongest and
most conspicuous member seems to fit
exactly the known facts of the case.
Twenty four hours of public consid-
Grafton Of the surprising event, and
of comment from every conceivable
point of view, have not produced
much real enlightenment.
The letter of the Secretary and Dl-
!. rector-General plainly states two per-
sonal reasons for resigning both Of
fees and retiring to private life at
this time: while the Presidents reply
accepts them as valid and adds a
gracefully expressed tribute to the
great ami varied services which Mr..
NCADoo has rendered to the Admin
istratlon. The people and the news
papers, without regard to party, very
generally agree with Mr.. WILSON'S
recognition of the Importance Of these
services. At the same time many of
them are wondering.
The reason concerning health and
physical strength would have been
sufficient, if nothing more had been
required than n colorado and con;
ventional excuse for sudden break
In official relations. The enormous
strain which Mr.. McADoo shas sus-
tanned so courageously for many
months is n matter of public noto-
riety. Perhaps in the whole history
burden both of broad responsibility
and of infinite detail has not been
imposed upon the shoulders of a sin.
gle individual. THE SUN was one OF
the first to call attention to this as
pect Of the case. early in the chapter
OF the Secretary's multiplying func-
tions. Tho marvel is not so much
that lie has borne 1t well but how he
has managed TO bear IL at all.
Yet Mr.. MCAUoo puts much less
stress upon the condition of his
health than upon his legitimate de
sire TO engage in more remunerativt
work for the sake of long neglected
private interests and the future OF
his family. Here again occurs. the
obvious reflection that although Tho
cXaciions of his wearing duties have
vastly Increased since he entered The
Cabinet the compensation which the
Government affords him. inadequate
as it may he In comparison with tho
grade of ability he has so long and un
inierruptedly contributed TO the Gov
ernment's service, is precisely what II
was when he took office. The cost OF
living has gone UP meanwhile; but
that il the case with every other pub
lie officer. with everybody in fact
The possible depletion of personal re
sources must have been quite appar
ent all along 10 man of Mr.. Nc
Apoos prescience.
II caunot be said that Il ROUNDED
achievement marks the present mo
nent rs tlfA appropriate time for re
ti-emeui. The war is virtually over
lut much of the financing Of the war
the success of which up TO date ha'
been due in 50 large Il degree to Mr.
AlcADoo's sagacity and energy is b!
10 means over. Some of It's hurdes
problems are ahead. The same thin;
IS true with regard to the immeasur
ably difficult aud complcY questions
involved in Government control o
transportation. an experiment II
which the Director-General of Rail
roads has so often expressed his sur
passing interest and for the under
taking OF which he may properly h
considered as largely if not chief!
responsible. The test of that mo
mentous experiment and the problem
Of its continuance are ahead, not be
hind him as he takes leave of it AM
rclinqushes the vast power his oflir
gives him 10 determine and shape it
future course.
Those who have the habit of seek
ing n submerged political reason 70
any sensational act on the part OF
statesman of proved power and rec
ognized shrewdness are not the les
puzzled than other people. Does tn
severance of official relations wit
the President, on the eve of the Pre-,
|, ilcnt's departure from his ACCUSTOMED
Npost of duty OH foreign mission O
Unknown significance. denote dlsaT
tal by Mr.. MCADOo, loyalty SUP
ofed by him ne 10 public utterance
diSseXpedltlon now in prospect o
in then any of the policies laten
Or hreeding?
country sensed the opinion Of tn
proposed Sernlng the President
'ey abroad and does hi