The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1918-11-25
VIM. NJ AOOO
HAS RESIGNED

Washington, Nov 23.-Wiliams G.
McAdoo, secretary of the treasury, di-
rector general OF railroads and often
! discussed as one OF the presidential
possibilities of 1920, has resigned his
Offices to return to private business.
President Wilson has accepted his
resignation Mr.. McAdoo will give UP
the treasury portfolio IS soon as a
successor has been selected. He wish
cd to lay down his work as director
general of railroads by January 1st,
/ but will remain if the president has
not 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 peace, which will probably include
at least two more Liberty Loans and
possibly also a further revision Of
the system OF war taxation.
Letters between President Wilson
and Mr. McAdoo, made public today
with the announcement OF the resig-
nation, give Mr. McAdoo's reasons
for leaving the cabinet solely as a
necessity for replenishing his person.
al fortune and express the Presidents
deep regret at losing his son-in-!aW
from his official family.
McAdoo's Letter.
Mr.. McAdoo's letter Of resignation.
dated Nov. a. follows:
Dear Mr.. President:
Now that an armistice has been
signed and peace is assured, | feel
at liberty to advise you OF my desire
to return as soon as possible, to pri-
vate life
Il have been conscious for some
time of the necessity for this step,
but, of course, l could not consider
it while the country was at war.
For almost six years ! have work
ed necessarily under the pressure of
great responsibilities. Their axact-
ions have drawn heavily on my
strength. The inadequate compensa-
ton allowed by law to cabinet officers
(as you know receive no compensa-
ton as director general of railroadS)
and the very burdensome cost of liv-
ing i'll Washington have so depleted
my personal resources that am
obliged to reckon with the facts of
the situation.
II do not wish to convey the im-
preston that there is any actual I'M
pairment of my health, because such
is not the fact AS a result of long
| overwork | need a reasonable period
Of genuine rest to replenish my ener-
gy. But more than this, | must, for
the sake of my family, get back to
private life, to retrieve my personal
| fortune.
Il cannot secure the required rest
nor the opportunity to look after my
long neglected private affairs unless
| 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, tC
become effective upon the appoint
mcnt and qualification of my success
or so that he may have the oppor'
tunity and advantage OF participate
ing promptly i'll the formulation q
new policies that should govern Tx
future work of the treasury. | woulC
suggest that my resignation as di
rector general of railroads become eff.
fective Jan. l, 1919, or upon the ap'
! pointment of my successor
II hope you will understand my
dear Mr.. President. that | will per.
NIT nothing but the most hyperion:
demands to force my Withdrawal
from public life Always shall cher
ish as the greatest honor Of my ca.
reer the opportunity you have SO gen
erously given me to serve the coun-
try, under your leadership in these
epochal times.
Agectionately yours,
''W. G.. McAdoo"
Dree;dan+ Xxy;Ieo,,,s DaDl,,