Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1918-11-24
RESIGNATION Of
NJ ADOO SHOCK

WASHINGTON, November 2S.-
The national capital was still reaHng
today over the shock of the anounce-
ment, made public last night, of the
early retirement of W. G. McAdoo, as
secretary of the treasury and United
States Railway Director.
His statement that he was resign
ang for the purpose of recouping his
personal fortune was accepted alb
solutely by officialdom, but there was
general criticism of the system of our
government which puts a premium
on the rich man. making it difficult
for man without Independent means
10 exist in the larger public offices.
Suggestions in some quarters that
there were political reasons behind
the resignation of Secretary Nc
Adoo are bitterly resented in admin
lstration circles. His name has of
ten of late been mentioned as the
most likely leaders of the democratic
party in the next presidential cam
paign, but even his colleagues in the
cabinet profess utter ignorance of
his intentions.
McAdOO's Letter.
Mr.. McAdoo's letter of resignation
dated Nov. IA, follows:
Dear Mr.. President:
Now that an armistice has been
signed and peace is assured, I feel
at liberty to advise you of my desire
to return, as soon as possible, TO
private life.
Il have been conscious for some
time of the necessity for this step,
but of course. l could not conside"
it while the country was at war.
For almost six years 1 have work.
ed necessarily under the pressure Of
great responsibilities. Their exac-
tons have drawn heavily upon my
strength. The inadequate compensa-
ton allowed by law to cabineet Off
GERS tas you know / receive no COM
pensation Ps director general of rail-
roads, and the very burdensome cost
of living in Washington have so
depleted my personal resources that
l am obliged to reckon with the facts
of the situation.
Il do not wish to convey the i'm
preston that there is any actual i'm
pairment of my health, because such
is not the fact. AS a result of long
overwork l need reasonable period
of genuine rest to replenish my
energy. But more than this, l must,
for the sake of my family, get back
to private life, to retrieve my per-
sonal fortune.
Il cannot secure the required rest
nor the opportunity to look after my
long neglected private affairs unless
l am relieved of my present respon-
sibilities.
Il am anxious to have my retire
ment effected with the least possible
inconvenience to yourself and to the
public service, but it would, / think,
be wise to accept my resignation
now, as secretary of the treasury,
to become effective upon the ap~
pointment and qualification of nv
successor so that he may have the
opportunity and advantage of par
ticipating promptly in the formula
ton of the policies that should gov
ern the future work the treasury.
I would suggest that my resignation
as director general of railroads be-
come effective Jan. /, 1919, or upon
the appointment of my successor.
81 hope you will understand, my
dear Mr. President, that 1 will per-
nit nothing but the most imperious
demands to force my withdrawal from
public life. Always I shall cherish as
the greatest honor of my career the
opportunity you have so generously
given me to serve the country under
your leadership in these epochal
times
"Affectionately yours,