New-York tribune., 1920-02-14
Letters Precipitating
Lansir1g's Retirement

ernment into conference? my duty call
attention to considerations which do dwell until
learn from yourself that this is the fact.
Under constitutional law and practice developed
hitherto but the President has the right the heads
of the departments conference
President and the Congress has the right
views Of of them public question.
81 take this matter with because development
constitutional system and
serious consequence think agree desiring
lead direction the liberty
writing to ask this question: and will
to
81 happy your Mrs Wilson
that strength returning.
CORDIALLY and sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON,"
Lansing Denies Usurping Posoers
1.-THE Secretary of State, Washington, February
"11y Mr. President
1T that frequently during requested
heads of the executive departments of the
informal conference.
"shortly you ill., in October certain members
of the Cabinet of which that
denied you, confer
informally together
which action could
mited you to them Accordingly the ranking
for such in
formal conference and in of the mutual benefit
practice continued
you that for moment entered my mind
acting unconsttutionay wishes
there certainly intention powers
functions which, under the Constitution exclusively
During tes many vexaous
questions have arisen and when the have been
deprived guidance direction
policies understood them
all I believed you would wish o
however, you my loyalty you
and longer have confidence and prefer to have another
affairs ready President,
relieve embarrassment by placing resignation
your hands. I am, always, faithfully yours,
ROBERT LANSING.
President Calls for Resignation
"The White House, Washington, February II, 1890
"My Dear Mr.. Secretary.
am very much disappointed by your letter of February
asking about the socaed Cabinet meetings
kindly explain the motives of these meetings and find nothing
letter which uhes assumption of Presidential author
ity in such matter
"You say you felt that of you
denied communication with confer informally
together ner-departmental matters and matters
which action could postponed my
permitted me- be consulted but have
you, Mr. Secretary that action could be without by
the Cabinet and therefore there could have disadvantage
in awaiting action with regard which
could not have been taken without
affair." Secretary only deepens feeling that was
growing upon While still in l felt and have
increasingly snce you accepted my guidance and
questions with which you
only with increasing reluctance and since Washing
ton have been struck by the number Of matters in which @
apparently my judgment by formulating
action and merely asking approval when impossible
me to form an judgment because had not had an
opportunity the
independence
a. therefore, feel frankly take advantage of your
suggestion should another to conduct
man bv nlacing vonr resignation in INV hd % ~ u + s @ h. ~
relieve Of embarrass
of feeling reluctance and divergence Judgment
would give office and opportunity
select whose mind would willingly with NINE
81 need not tell with what advantage of
your suggestion that with feeling In mat
perfect cando where feeling possible
left out of the reckoning. Very sincerely yours,
"WOODROW WILSON"
Lansing Long Contemplated Resigning
"The Secretary of State Washington February IT, $780,
"Afy Nv President
II wish to thank sincerely your letter of the
11h which state that resignation be accepabe
since relieves the responsibility which
contemplating, take without hesita
tion, it wishes.
II have the honor therefore, you my resignation as
Secretary Of State the to take effect
In thus severing official President
that should make the following statement which
recently and which will show
that the continuance OF relations impossible
that realized that clearly duty bring an end
at the earliest moment compatible public interest
ever since January 1919 been conscious Of the fact