Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-11-30
SECRETARY w. G.. McADOO'S
RETIREMENT.

The resignation of Hon. William
G. MacAdoo as Secretary of the
Treasury and Director General of
the Railroads came as a bolt from
II clear sky and although the letter
was dated November Ii, 1918, it was
given to tho public under date OF
November 90, 1918. Whether or
nOt,an effort had been mado to have
Secretary MacAdoo recon. idcr his
resignation is not stated. Still there
is II difference OF seven days in the
dates of the letter OF Mr.. Mac Adoo
and the one Of President Woodrow
Wilson accepting the resignation.
For the onerous service and mani
fold duties, he received only one sal
AIRY that of the Secretary Of the
Treasury, which paid twelve thous-
and dollars per year. Labor leaders
gleefully referred to the fact that
high salaried railroad officials had
them received as much rs twenty
five thousand dollars per year and
upwards. But Secretary Mac Adoo
was destined to be tho victim Of his
own new policy. He had reduced the
salaries of others and he could not
consistently increase his own salary
although his duty to his own family
demanded that he should do so.
President Wilson evidently did not
see his way clear TO aid his own dis
tinguished Son-in-law and tho end
came suddenly. There are sonic re-
fcrences in Secretary Mac Adoos let
ter that demand attention, indicating
as they do that he has been given
much work with inadequate pay.
He says:
For almost six years I have
worked necessarily under the pres
sure Of great responsibility. Their
eXactions have drawn heavily OH my
strength. The inadequate compcn-
sa;ion allowed by law to Cabinet off,
GERS Gas you know l received no
compensation as Director General of
Railroads) and tho very burdonsomo
cost of living in Washington have so
depleted my personal resources that
am obliged to reckon with the facts
Of the situation.
81 do not wish to convey tho i'm
preston that there is any actual
impairment Of my health, because
such is not the fact. AS a result Of
long overwork need reasonable
period Of genuine rest to replenish
my energy. But moro than this, I
must, for the sake of my family, get
back to private life to retrieve my
personal fortune"
This means that the distinguished
official has nearly come "to the ond
OF his tether," so to speak in that he
has seriously impaired his private
fortune and the presumption is that a
lor ger discharge of duties at the same
compensation will make him bank
rupt. II Congress end the President
wishes his services, both must agree
TO pay him sufficient amount to
enable him to continue the duties
of the office. 1t also shows that Sc
cretary Mae Adoo is Il man OF hign
ideals, that no has been scrupulous-
ly honest and that no scandal is to
attach itself either to him or his Of
flee in an effort on his part to make
both ends meet"
Secretary Mac Adoo should have
known what is apparent to every
ono. When you marry Presidents
daughter, you must have the 'rocks"
with which TO support her, especial
ly when you occupy a relationship
that calls for social affairs, where a
dictionaries revenue alone can stand
the strain of the expenditures with
out notice.. The distinguished New
Yorker, who was born in Georgia
goes into retirement with high hon
ors and we regret that this disclos-
ure is made while the world is just
recognizing the value Of his servic-
es.