Evening star., 1919-11-25
Mr.. Gardeners Letter.


Mr.. Gardeners Letter.
The letter addressed to the Presi-
dent by Mr.. Gardiner September L.,
asking the President to relieve him
from office as soon as possible, fol-
lows.
Immediately upon your return from
FRANCE, | communicated to you my
desire to be relieved as Commissioner
of the District of Columbia in order
that l might resume the practice of
law In that communication l eX-
pressed a perfect Willingness to re-
main in office until the valuation of
the two street railway properties was
completed. These valuations have
now been completed. Therefore, /
most respectfully renew my request
that you relieve me of the position
as Commissioner at your very earli-
est convenience.
During my incumbence in office
have striven to perform the duties there
of in such a way not TO reflect dis
credit upon you because of my appoint
ment. In this effort | am comforted by
the belief that | have not entirely
failed.
Assuring you that my gratitude to
you will be lasting, am, Yours most
respectfully"
President Accepts.
The letter of Secretary Tumulty ac-
cepting the resignation of Commissioner
Gardiner is dated November 22 and
reads as follows:
MY Dear Mr. Gardiner:
THE President, directs me to ac-
knowledge the receipt of your letter of
September II, and to say that he ac-
cepts' your resignation as Commissioner
of the District of Columbia, in view of
Your desire to be relieved SO that you
may resume the practice of the law"
Commissioner Gardeners certificate of
appointment provided that he was to
continue in office until July 13, 1919
1t was learned today, however, that At
torney General Palmer ruled that de-
spite this date fixed in the appointment,
under the organic act, the Commissioner
could remain in office until his successor
was appointed.
Under this ruling Mr. Gardiner agreed
to remain for the completion of the
valuations of the street car companies
Mr.. Gardeners Statement.
In a statement issued following an
nouncement of the acceptance of his
declared he found it impossible to
live on the salary of a District Com
missioner. His statement follows:
The letters of resignation and ac-
ceptance speak for themselves and
j have nothing TO add thereto except
TO say that | have young and grow
ing family, and / found it impossible
to live on the salary of District
Commissioner, and ii became abso-
lutely necessary that l should return
to the practice of my profession in
order to earn sufficient sum to
properly provide for them.
THE statements heretofore made
in the press to the effect that l have
been supporting certain candidates who
are ueSirous of being nominated by
the President as my successor are
without foundation in fact. l have
not supported the candidacy of any
man. nor will / do so, believing that
it would not be proper for a Dis
trict Commissioner TO suggest to the
President or to any one else the name
OF bis successor.
Il have, as one who has lived in
the District of Columbia for many
years, and who expects to live here
for many years to come d deep in
tereSt in having a man who has had
wide experience in business or con-
siderable legal knowledge as Dis
trict Comm; sSioner.
Il desire to say that ] have learned
three lessons during my incumbency
Of the office of District Commissioner
First. The statement which | have
SO often heard that every man in public
life is condemned, is not correct. My
experience has taught me that at
least 80 per cent of the citizens of the
District of Columbia are willing and
anxious TO do everything that is DOS
sible to advance the interests of the
city and TO support those administer
ing it's affairs.
Tribute to Congress.
Second. ! have also learned that
every member Of both houses of Con-
gress has deep interest in Washing
ton as the capital and is ready and
willing to help the District in any
way that he can. 1t has been my ex-
perience that they have at all times
been willing to give the District
everything that they felt that they
could give, and if at times we did no,
get all that we thought we were en-
titled to, i am entirely convinced that
it was due to our inability to give
them full information on the subject
under inquiry.
Third. | have also learned that
the newspaper men of Washington
especially those with whom ! hay,
come in close contact in the District
building, are fair. frank and honest
j have learned to trust them abso-
lutely.
In conclusion / desire to say tha
those employed by the District gov.
ernment are in very large measur,
able, honest, conscientious and Iowa
men and women. That they are no
paid more for THAR Valua Bile service,
to the District and its people is :
source of much regret to me.
Il hope that Congress will soor
realize that unless they increase th.
salary of the District Commissioners
the President will have GREET difficult,
in securing capable men to accept ant
remain in office.
Suggests His Own Retirement.
Mr. Gardiner was appointed Com.
missioner by President Wilson Sep