Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-13
PAYC0MPELS
GREGORY TO
QUITCABINET
Attorney General Resigns
Post-Senator Lewis
Likely Successor.

Washington, Jan. 19.-Attorney
General Thomas W. Gregory has re-
signed to take effect March 4. Pres
dent Wilson has accepted and Will
announce his successor soon after
his return from abroad.
Mr.. Gregory sent his resignation
to the president last Thursday. The
acceptance was received on triGay.
1t is unders tood that Mr.. Greg
ofy's action was decided upon at a
conference with the president short
II before the latter went abroad.
In his letter of resignation Mr.
Gregory says that for pecuniar
reasons it is essential he leave the
public service. Also Tor some
months his health mas not bean of
the best.
- Talk OF Senator Lewis.
lready there Is considerable
speculation as to his successor.
Many names are mentioned. chief
among them being samuel J. era
ham Of Pittsburgh, one of the five
assistant attorney generals; Sena-
,oT James Hamilton Lewis or Hill
nois and Frank L. Polk, acting sec
retary OF state.
In some quarters here the pre-
diction is made that other members
of the cabinet may resign and re-
sumo more remunerative careers in
civic life. The cabinet members
receive only $4,000 a year. and
when the social duties of the posi-
tion are complied with an incum bent
finds it hard TO meet the expenses
necessary to his position in the Of
tcial life at Washington.
In peace times the cabinet mem
5ers play no small part in the en-
tertainment of foreig- visitors and
officials.
Like Case of McAdOO.
No clearer presentation Of the
financial position in which the fed
eral public servants find them
selves at this time has been made
than that of former Secretary of
the Treasury McAdoo. VINO under
took the financing Of the war and
the administration OF the country's
railway systems on 4 salary OF S12.-
600 z year.
Letter of Resignation.
Mr. Gregory's letter OF resigna-
S5n reads:
''In accordance with the purpose
expressed in our conversation just
before vou weat abroad, I tender
nv resignation as attorney general.
"It has been not quite six years
e4nce | became connected with your
years ago. a few days after wa
was declared by the European na-
tions, I became a member of the
cabinet
cit can be fairly said that during
70 other six years in the history of
our country have so many problems
heen presented and solved.
The reflection that at such a
time I have been permitted to stand
by your side and assist in a modest
wav in dealing with these national q.
and international issues Is now and
will always be my greatest source
OF pride.
Praise for Wilson.
man ever served a leader who
vaS- more. uniformly considerate, I,
more kindly helpful and more gen /!
erously appreciative. No suhordi- /
nate was ever more deeply grateful /
.or the numberless friendly words !
and acts of his superior. /
"Pecuniary possibilities Of !
subs antial nature rest upon me and /
nv private affairs have long de- /
rnanded attention. During the con-
tinuance of actual warfare I did not /
feel at liberty to weigh these per- |
snnal considerations in the balance /
against the public duties with whicn /
] was charged.
by March 4 of the present year
the department of Justice will have
substantially brought its war activ-
tiles to a close and be working un-
der normal conditions. l therefore
ask that this resignation take ef-
feet on that date"
wilson's Acceptance.
The reply of President Wilson.
written in Paris under date of Jan.
10. follows:
1T is with profound reluctance
and regret that l accept your resig-
nation I co so only because you
have convinced me il is necessary
in your own interest for you to re-
tire.
There has been no one with
whom l have been associated in
gton whom l have learned
more to trust nor to whose coun-
sells Lnave attached more value ani
iESortance.
Your administration of your Of
ice has been singUlarly able and
ainguIarIy Conscientious and watch
ul of the public interest and 1 feel
hat it is very serious loss indeed
% the nation that you should find
rourself Obliged to withdraw from ;
public life.
MY best wishes not only, but my
ffectionate friendship will follow
,ou into retirement. and I hope with t
Ill my heart that in some way and I
1t some time shall again have the
and benefit OF being asso- (;
lated with you" al