South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-14

that Rear Admiral Grayson. Mr. vii
sons physician, was present. and
suggested that only urgent matters
be brought TO" the presidents attcn-
ton.
Thereafter until this week the
cabinet met more or less regularly.
During the coal strike it met twice
a week in an effort TO avert the
walkout Of the miners, and several
weeks ago il was decided to have
meetings every Tuesday and Friday.
During the coal wage controversy
the president was said at the white
house TO have been advised OF the
meetings and 10 have been kept i'm
formed as 10 the progress his ad-
visers were making toward a settle
ment Of the controversy. He finally
took the matter out of the cabinets
hands and suggested a settlement.
which the miners accepted.
The correspondence between the
president and Mr.. Lansing which re-
suited in Mr.. Lansiug's resignation.
was made public at the state depart
ment an hour after under-Secy
Polk had conferred at the white
house with Sec'y Tumulty.
Polk Is Secretary.
Frank L. Polk. under-secretary of
state. VIII be made secretary ad in
terim Saturday 20 act until Prcst
Wilson appoints a successor 10
Robert Lansing. This is expected 90
be in the very near future.
Following is the correspondence
between the president and secretary
Lansing:
The white house. WashingtoG.
'eb z. 1920.
My Dear Mr.. secretary:
''Is 1t true. az ] have been told.
that during my illness you have fire.
quently called the heads of the exc
cCtive departments OF the govern
ment into conference. II it. is. feel
II my duty 10 call your attention TO
considerations which do not care 70
dwell upon until 1 learn from you
yourself that this is the fact. Under
our constitutional law and practice,
as developed hitherto. no one but the
president has the rgut 10 summon
the heads OF the executive depart
ments into conference. and no one
bat the president ard the cOugrcSs
has the RIGHT 20 ask their views or
The views of any OF them on any
public question.
Il take this matter up with you
because in the development Of every
constitutional system. custom and
precedent are OF the most serious
consequence and ] think we will al
agree in desiring not 20 lead in any
wrong direction have therefore
taken the liberty Of writing you TO
ask You this question, and am sure
you viii be glad 10 answer.
L am happy 10 learn from your
recent note 10 Mrs Wilson that your
strength is returning
Cordially and sincerely yours.
WOODROW WILSON"
"Hon. Robert Lansing,
Secretary Of state.
The secretary Of state. Washing
ton Feb. Q. 1920.
NY Dear Mr. President.
ut is true that frequently during
your illness 1 requested the heads of
the executive departments OF the
government 10 meet for Informal
conference.
Discuss Conferences
Shortly after you were taken 10
in October certain members or the
cabinet. or which was one. rclt
that in view OF the fact that Ne
were denied communication with
YOU, il was wise for Us 90 confer in
formally together on inter-depa.t-
mental matters and matters as 10
whicn action could not be post
poned until your medical advisers
permitted you 10 pass upon them.
Accordingly l. as the ranking mcm-
ber requested the members ot the
cabinet 70 assemble for sucn Inrorm-
al conference. and I'm view or The
mutual benefit derived the practice
was continued. I can assure YOU that
10 never for a moment entered my
mind that I was acting unconstit1I-
tionally or contrary 20 your wishes
and there certainly was no intention
on my part 20 assume powers and
exercise functions which urder the
constitution are exclusively confided
20 the president. During these troub-
lous tires when many difficult and
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