The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-01-13
ATTY-GENERAL
I GREGORY IS TO
T. Z LEAVE CABINET 7
president Agrees to His Retire
:, ment March 4
is FIFTH MAN TO RESIGN
He Gives as His Reason "Pecunlary
fcsponsibllities"--te Is to Re-
r. turn to the Practice Of Law.

Washington, Jan. 11.-Thomas Watt
Gregory, attorney general OF the Uni.
ted States. since 1914, has resigned
because of "pecuniary responsibili.
ties,' and will return to the practice
Of law. President Wilson has agreed
to his retirement next March 4.
Mr.. Gregorys letter of resignation
dated January 9. and the Presidents
reply cabled from Paris the next day,
were made public tonight at the
White House. The attorneys letter
disclosed that he had long considered
retiring from office and had discussed
the matter with the president before
Mr.. Wilson went abroad.
Mr.. Gregory's successor has not yet
been appointed and there has been no
official intimation as to whom he will
be. In speculation today the names
OF Frank L. Polk, counsellor Of the
state department and acting secretary
while Mr.. Lansing is in Europe. and
Senator Hamilton Lewis, of Illinois,
were mentioned
Mr.. Gregory is the second cabinet
officer to resign recently on account
of personal financial considerations.
William G. McAdoo having retired
last month as secretary of the treas
ury because he could not support his
family on the caDIAet members salary
Of $4,000 year.
Mr.. Gregory is the fifth man to
leave the cabinet during the six years
of President Wilson's administration.
Others were Secretary of State Bryan,
Secretary of War Garrison, Attorney
General McReynolds. Mr.. Gregory's
predecessor, who was appointed to
the supreme court. and Mr. McAdoo.
Mr.. Gregory has served as attorney
general since August 20, 1914 and
before then he served as special
assistant OF he atiorgsey. rRneral IN
the investigation OF the NcY Haven
transportation system in New Eng
land and obtained dissolution OF that
system without resorting TO suit. He
was born in Mississippi, but now has
a home in Texas. where he gained
recognition as prosecutor Of the so
called oil trust
Throughout the war. the attorney
generals duties have been arduous
The functions of policing the country
seeking out dangerous enemy aliens
for prosecution or internment, comba
ing German propaganda and rounding
up draft slackers were lodged mainly
In the department OF Justice. Man.
difficult and delicate questions aros,
during the administration of war pow
crsn and after hostilities ceased. I
was a source of pride to Mr.. Gregory
expressed lin his report for the year
that the war department had beel
able to break down the German espiol
age system in this country and TO re
duce sabotage to practically nothing
Before the war, one Of the principa
functions of the attorney general wa
in bringing to argument in the ST
preme court number OF antl.trus
cases. Most of them are now pent
ing. and it will devolve on the ne'
attorney general not only to pres
these but 10 assist in formulating me-
antitrust legislation which the mex
Congress- probably will take up.
Mr.. Gregory has made no dennit
plans for the future and has not ys
determined where he will practic
law.