The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1918-11-29
MAD00 QUITS JOB
ACTION A GREAT SURPRISE TO
HIS FRIENDS AND CO.
WORKERS.
IN NEED OF REST, He SAYS
Secretary Insists He Must Get Back
20 Private Life to Recoup His Per-
sonal Fortune-President Accepts
Resignation in Letter Of Regret.

Washington, ID. Civilian Gibbs
McAdoo, secretary OF the treasury, di.
rector general Of the railroads and
often discussed as one Of the presi-
Dental possibilities Of 1920, has re.
signed his office to return tn private
business.
President Wilson has accepted his
resignation. Mr.. McAdoo will give up
the treasury portfolio as soon as a
successor has been selected. He wish
ed to lay down his work as director
general OF railroads by January /, but
will remain IL the president has not
then chosen a successor.
Upon the new secretary Of the
treasury, whoever he may be, will de-
volve the task OF financing the nation
through the transition period OF war
to peaco. which probably will include
at lease two more Liberty loans and
possibly a further revision OF the sys-
tenn OF war taxation.
Exchange OF Letters.
Letters between President Wilson
and Mr.. McAdoo, made public with
the announcement Of the resignation,
gave Mr.. McAdoo's reasons for leav-
ing the cabinet solely as a necessity
for replenishing his personal fortune
and express the presidents deep re.
greet at losing his son-in-law from his
official family.
Mr.. McAdoo's letter Of resignation,
dated November ID, follows:
Dear Mr.. President: Now that an
armistice has been signed and peace
is assured, l feel at liberty to advise
you OF my desire to return as soon as
possible to private life.
II have been conscious for some
time of the necessity for this step, but,
OF course. | could not consider IL while
the country was at war.
For almost six years | have worked
necessarily under the pressure Of great
responsibility. Their exactions have
drawn heavily on my strength. The
inadequate compensation allowed by
law to cabinet officers as you know /
receive no compensation as director
general OF railroads, and the very
burdensome cost of living in Washing.
ton have so depleted my personal re.
sources that / am obliged to reckon
with the facts of the situation.
In Need Of a Rest.
Il do not wish to convey the impress.
zion that there is any actual impair.
ment of my health, because such is
not the fact. AS a result of long over.
work need a reasonable period of
genuine rest to replenish my energy.
But more than this, I must, for
the sake of my family, get back to
private life to retrieve my personal
fortune.
II cannot secure the required rest
nor the opportunity to look after my
long neglected private affairs unless
| am relieved Of my personal RESPONSE.
bilities.
II am anxious to have my retire.
ment effected with the least possible
inconvenience to yourself and to the
public service, but 1t will be, I think,
wise to accept my resignation now as
secretary of the treasury, to become
effective upon the appointment and
qualification of my successor, so that
he may have the opportunity and ad.
vantage Of participating promptly in
the formulation OF the policies that
should govern the future work Of the
treasury. / would suggest that my
resignation as director general of rail
roads become effective January /,
1919, or upon the appointment of my
successor.
; II hope you will understand, my
dear Mr.. President. that I will permit
nothing but the most imperious de-
mands to force my withdrawal from
public life. Always l shall cherish
as the greatest honor Of my career
the opportunity you have so gener.
ously given me to serve the country
under your leadership in these epo.
chal times. A~ffectionately yours,
"W. g. McAdoo."