The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-11-29
M'ADOO RESIGNS
DUAL POST; SAYS
PAY INSUFFICIENT
Declares Salary Too Small for
Needs of Holder.
GUESSES AS TO SUCCESSOR
Wilson Accepts Resignation to Take
Effect January Twill Probably
Appoint Two Men to Succeed
His Son-in-LaW.

Washington. Nov. 23.-William G.
McAdoo has resigned Office as secre-
tary of the treasury and director gen.
eral of railroads, to leave the treasury
on the appointment of a successor and
the railroad administration On Janu-
airy 1 next.
President Wilson has accepted Mr..
McAdOo's resignation.
The secretary plans to take about
three months rest and then may re-
sumo the practice of law In New York.
Mr.. McAdOO explained to newspaper
correspondents that he had intended
to resign before March 4, 1917, but re-
manned because of pressing war prob
lens.
AS yet there is no suggestion of who
Mr.. McAdOO's. successor may be, either
as secretary of the treasury or as di-
rector general
Mr.. McAOO announced his resigna
ton at a conference with newspaper
correspondents and made public CORE
SpOndence between himself and Presi-
dent Wilson.
Secretary McAdoo's Letter.
Secretary McAdOO's letter of resig-
nation and the presidents letter ac-
cepting it follows:
November II, 1915
Dear Mr. President:
"NOW that an arlniStice has been
signed and peace is assured. | feel at
ty fn Of Il Oc.i,. TO
return as soon as possible to private
life.
Il have been conscious for some
time of the necessity Of this step, but
of course | could not consider it while
the country was at war.
"FOr almost six years l have worked
necessarily under the pressure of great
responsibilities. Their eXactiOnS have
drawn heavily on my strength. The in
adequate compensation allowed by law
to cabinet officers (as you know, re-
ceive no compensation as director gen
eral of railrOads) and the very burden
some cost of living in Washington
have so depleted my personal resources
that l am obliged to reckon with the
IdcIS Oh the SITUATION.
"For Sake of Family"
II do not wish to convey the impress
sion that there is any actual impair
ment of my health, because such is not
the fact AS Il result of long Overwork
L need reasonable period of genuine
rest to replenish my energy. But more
than this, [ must, for the sake of my
family, get back to private life to re-
trieve my personal fortunes.
Il cannot secure the required rest
nor the opportunity to look after my
long neglected private affairs unless
am relieved of my present response
bilities.
Il am anxious to have my retire
ment effected with the least possible
inconvenience to yourself and to the
public service. but it would be. 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 adj
vantage of participating promptly in
the formation of the policies that
should govern the future work of the
treasury.
Il would suggest that my resigna-
ton as director general of railroads
become effective January l, 1919. or
upon the appointment Of my successor.
Il hope you will understand. my
dear Mr.. President, that I would per-
init 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.
(Signed) "W. G. M'ADOO,
1.-The President, the White House."
The Presidents Reply.
November 81. 1918.
MY dear Mr.. Secretary:
II was not unprepared for your let
ted of the 14th, because you had more
than once, of course, discussed with
me the circumstances which have long
made it a serious personal sacrifice for
you to remain in Office. I knew that
only your high and exacting sense of
duty had kept you here until the i'm
mediate tasks of the war should be
over But I am none the less dis
treSSed.
II shall not allow our intimate per.
sonal relations to deprive me of the
pleasure of saying that in my iudg-
ment the country has never had an
ADLER, a more reSourceful and vet pru-
dent, a more uniformly efficient secre-
tary of the treasury, and say this re-
Numbering all the able, devoted and
distinguished men who preceded you.
Fails to Find Solution.
'I have kept your letter a number
of days in order to suggest, if could.
some other solution of your difficulty
than the one you have now felt obliged