The Washington times., 1920-08-24
GETS POST IN
PETERSBURG
Will Become City Manager OF
Virginia Town at Salary OF
p $4,000 a Year.
ACTION is BIG SURPRISE
Friends Expected He Would
Continue in Office at Least
Until Term Expired.

LOUIS BroWnioW, president OF INC
Board of District Commissioners,
today sent his resignation to Presi-
dent Wilson, requesting that it be-
come effective September Is.
Commissioner Brownlow resigns
to become city manager of Peters
burg, Va, a city one-tenth the size
of Washington, where he will get
salary of $4,000, or double what he
receives in his present position.
RESIGNATION SENT TODAY.
The resignation was sent to the
President shortly after 0 o'clock this
morning, but up to a late hour today
no statement was forthcoming from
the White House OF the Presidents
acceptance.
Il feel that | no longer can afford
the sacrifice entailed by retaining my
present position" Mr.. Brownlow told
the President. 'In Petersburg I am
convinced / will find an exceptional
opportunity to be of service and to do
work of a constructive character
Commissioner Brownlow's resigna-
tion hits Washington like a bomb
she'll. While it was known he was
not desirous OF continuing in the po-
sition after his term expired in jan
uary, his--friends~ thou ut he would
not quit at this time.
FOLLOWED McADoO LEAD.
The Commissioner announced his
resignation somewhat in the same
manner William G.. McAdoo. former
Secretary of the Treasury, made
known his intention to leave the Cab
met. He callel newspapermen intS
his office and said
fN.
today's paper, If you think you can
use it. | have resigned as District
Commissioner"
Commissioner Brownlow issued
statement to the public announcing
his resignation and expressing his
regret at leaving the District service
TEXT OF HIS STATEMENT.
The statement follows:
at is with deep regret that I leave
the service OF the people Of the Dis
trict of Columbia after more than
five and half years in the Commits
sionership. The people have been help
full and kindly at all times, and have
been appreciative when L was able
to accomplish a little. 1t is difficult
for me adequately to express my
gratitude to the public for the sup
| port l have received.
| L
the greatest pleasure the associations
| that centered about my work in the
Commissionership and always I shall
| be proud of the way in which the men
and women of Washington responded
| to every call for service that / and
my fellow Commissioners made upon
| them during the trying period of the
world war.
But most of all I regret taking
| leave of my fellow workers in the
District Government, a group of faith
| full and able men and women who
have worked increasingly under the
most disadvantageous circumstances
| to keep for Washington what Wash
ington long has had-a municipal
government of the highest standard
of efficiency"
LETTER TO PRESIDENT.
Commissioner Brownlow's letter Of
| resignation to the President follows:
"It is with great reluctance that |
tender and ask you to accept my res
| ignation as ommssioner of the Dis
| trict of Columbia. 1t has been a high
privilege to serve under you and
am deeply grateful for the generous
support and wise counsel you have
given me. l have been offered the
position OF city manager of Peters
burg, Va. and after careful thought
have decided that it is my duty to
| accept.
I Much as I regret leaving Wash
ington, for whose people l have such
genuine affection and in whose future
| | have an interest that can never
fail, feel that no longer can afford
the sacrifice entailed by retaining my
| present position. In Petersburg l
am convinced l will find an excep-
tional opportunity to be. OF service
and TO do work of constructive
| character
"The authorities in Petersburg
| asked me 10 come to them as soon
as practicable, and therefore I trust
you will accept my resignation to
take effect on September 10
May | again thank you for your
unfailing support and considers
tion?"
ONLY CIVILIAN COMMISSIONER.
II the President accepts Mr. Brown
lows resignation he must appoint a
successor Immediately or the District
government cannot function. Mr..
Rrownlow is the only civilian commits
sioner in the District, the other com
missionership being vacant by the
resignation last summer of w. Gwynn
IGardiner.
| 1t Is possible the President win an
! Continued on Page 0, Column a.