The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-14


dent and Mr.. Lansing long pre-dated
which was issued last October 5, seven
days after Mr.. Wilson returned from
his western speaking tour and took
to his bed. They began at the peace
conference in Paris, as Mr.. Lansing
disclosed in his final letterTto the pres
ident under date of yesterday. and had
continued since that time--one of the
chief differences being over the gov
ernment's attitude toward Mexico.
When the cabinet met on October s.
Joseph P. Tumulty, private secretary
to the president, issued a formal state
ment explaining the reasons for the
conference. He said:
THE cabinet was called to consider
questions in which more than one de-
partment was concerned. and also to
discuss the industrial conference"
Cabinet Met Regularly.
He referred to the first conference
called by the president with the hope
of allaying the industrial unrest.
In his statement. Mr.. Tumulty said
that Rear Admiral Grayson, Mr.. Will
sons physician. was present and "sug-
brought Ito the presidents attention"
Thereafter until this week the cabinet
met more or less regularly. During
the coal strike, it met twice week in
an effort to avert the walkout of the
miners and several weeks ago it was
decided to have meetings every Tues
day and Friday.
During the coal wage controversy,
the president was said at the w mite
House to have been advised of the
meetings and to have been kept IN
formed of the progress his advisers
were making toward settlement of
the controversy. He finally took the
matter out of the cabinets hands and
suggested a settlement which the
miners accepted.
Out of self respect other members
of the cabinet, who are as much In
volved as a result of attending the
conferences as Mr.. Lansing, may ten
der their designations to the president.
Text of Letters.
The state department issued the follow
Secretary Lansing has resigned and his
resignation has been accepted, taking eff
ence between the president and Secretary
"The White House, Washington, Feb. Z,
1920
my Dear Mr. Secretary:
"Is 1t true, as l have been told, that
during my, illness. you have frequently
ments of the government into conference.
If it is, I feel 1t my duty to call your at
| tention to considerations which | do not
care to dwell upon until learn from you
yourself that this is the fact. Under our
constitutional law and practice as de-
veloped hitherto, no one but the president
has the right to summon the beads of the
executive departments into conference and
no one but the president and the congress
has the right to ask their views or the views
of any one of them on any public question
I take this matter up with you because IN
the development of every constitutional
system custom and precedent are OF the
most serious consequences, and think We
will all agree in desiring not to lead IN
taken " the liberty Of writing you to ask
you this question, and am sure you viii
be glad to answer.
II am happy to learn from your recent
note to Mrs. Wilson that your strength is
Cordially and sincerely yours
"WOODROW WILSON.
HON ROBERT LANSING,
Secretary of State"
President Was Isolated.
THE Secretary of State, Washington,
NV Dear Mr. President
cit is true that frequently during your
illness 1 requested the heads of executive
| depa rtments of the government to meet for
informal conference.
shortly after you were taken i'll. in Dc
| tober, certain members of the cabinet. of
| fact that were denied communication
| with you, it was wise for us to confer in
| formally together on inter departmental
matters as to which action could not be
| postponed until your medical advisers per-
mitted you to pass upon them. Accord
! 1nRly. /. as the ranking member. requested
| the members of the cabinet to assemble
| for such informal conference, and in view
| of the mutual benefit derived, the prac-
| tice was continued. I can assure you
| that it never for a moment entered my
mind that was acting unconstitutionally
| or contrary to your wishes and there GER
| sumo powers and exercise functions which
under the constitution are exclusively con-
| fided to the president.
"Tried to Carry Out Policies
| I'm ri h. times
| difficult and vexatious questions have
\ arisen and when, in the circumstances, ]
! have been deprived of your guidance and
direction 1t has been my constant en-
derstood them and to act in all matters
| ms 1 believed you would wish me to act
| If, however. you think that have failed
! in my loyalty to you and If you no longer
have confidence in me and prefer to have
another conduct our foreign affairs, l am
of couse, ready, Mr.. President, to relieve
| my resignation in your hands
4 am always faithfully yours.
"ROBERT LANSING
The White House, Washington, Feb, II
1920.
My Dear Mr.. Secretary:
II am very much disappointed by your
| letter of Frebruary 0, in reply to mine
asking about the so-called cabinet meet
| ings. You kindly explain the motives oil
! letter which justifies your assumption OF
| presidential authority in such a matter
! You say you felt that, in view of the fact
| you were denied communication with me- Il
! was wise to confer informally together OIL
| inter departmental matters, and matters as
| to which action could not be postponed
+! be seen and consulted, but l have to- re-
/ mind you. Mr.. Secretary. that no actor
/ could be taken without me by the cabinet
| and, therefore. there could have been nC
1 disadvantage in awaiting action with re
Il gard to matters concerning which actor
could not have been taken without me.