The Washington times., 1918-11-23
LETTER FROM MeADoo.
November II, 1918.

November II. 1918.
Dear Mr.. President: Now that
an armistice has been signed and
peace Is assured, feel at liberty
to apprise you of my desire to
return. as soon as possible, to pri-
Vate life.
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 incessantly under the
pressure Of great responsibilities
Their exactions have drawn heav-
lily on my strength. The made
ouate compensation allowed by
law to Cabinet officers (as you
know I receive no compensation
as Director General of Rail-
roads,, and the very burdensome
cost of living In Washington
have SO depleted my personal re-
sources that I am obliged to reck-
on with the facts of the situation.
l do not wish to convey the i'm
preston that there Is any actual
impairment of my health, because
Is nut NuC AaCA. M . ACSoAN
of long overwork / need a rea-
sonable period Of genuine rest to
replenish my enegry. But more
than this, 1 must, for the sake OF
my family, get back to private
life to retrieve my personal for
tunes.
1 cannot secure the required rest
nor the opportunity to look after
my long neglected private AFFAIRS
unless I am relieved OF my pres
ent responsibilities
am anxious to have my retire
ment effected with the least posi-
Bile inconvenience to yourself and
to the public service, but 1t would,
/ think, be wise to accept my res
ignation now as Secretary, to be-
come effective upon the appoint
ment and qualification OF my sue
cessor so that he may have the
opportunity and advantage OF par
ticipating promptly In the formu-
lation OF the policies that should
govern the future work OF the
Treasury. ] would suggest that
my resignation as Director Gen
eral Of Railroads become effective
January /. 1919. or upon the ap-
pointmept of my successor.
hope you will understand. my
dear Mra President. that l would
permit nothing but the most i'm
perious demands 10 force my with
drawal from public life. Always
l shall cherish as the greatest
honor OF my career the opportun-
ity you have so generously given
g. under
your leadership in these epochal
times. Affectionately yours,
W.. G. McADOO.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
November 81, 1918.
Ny Dear Mt. Secretary: ! was
not unprepared1 for your letter OF
the T4th, because you had more
than once, of course, discussed
with me the circumstances which
have long made lit a serious per-
sonal sacrifice far you TO remain
in office. ] knew that only your
high and eXactinG sense of duty
had kept you he7e until the i'm
mediate tasks OF lthe war should
be over. But ! atn none. the less
distressed. / shall not allow our
intimate peEsOHdi TeldblOhS ~
deprive me OF the pleasure of
saying that in my judgment the
country has neveF had an ADLER.
a more resourcefql. and yet pru-
dent. a more uniformly efficient
Secretary OF the Treasury, and |
say this remembering all the
able. devoted and distinguished
men who preceded you. have
kept your letter . number Of
days in order to suggest. II l
could, some other solution of
your difficulty than the one you
have now felt obliged to resort
to. But have not been able to
think Of any. cannot ask "ou
to make further sacrifices, seri-
Gus as the loss OF the Govern
ment will be in your retirement.
I accept your resignation. there
fore. to take effect up'on the ap-
pointment of a successor. because
in Justice to you / mubt.
1 also. for the samk reasons.
accept your resignation Sas Direc-
tor General of Railroads. to take
effect. as you suggest, on\ the LIST
OF January next, or when your