Arizona republican., 1920-02-14
Is What Made Lansing
 Quit His Job
lRepub.ican.A. p. Leased Wirel

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 WASHINGTON, Feb. 1s-Following is the correspondence between the president and Secretary Lansing:
 The White House, Washington 7th February 1920.
 My dear MT. Secretary:
 'Is is true as I have been told that during my illness you have frequently partnents of the government into con ference? If it is 1 feel it my duty to call your attention to consideration which do not care to dwell upon until learn from you yourself that this is the fact. a
 Under our constitutional law and practice as developed hitherto. no one but the president has the right to summon the heads of the executive de- partments 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 pub. lie question.
 T take this matter up with you be- cause, in the development Of every constitutional system. custom and pre- cedent are of the most serious con sequence. and I think we will all agree in desiring not to lead in any wrong direction. I have, therefore. taken the liberty of writing you to ask you this question and l am sure you will be glad to answer.
 Il am happy to learn from your re- cent note to Mrs. Wilson that your strength is returning.
 Cordially and sincerely yours,
 (Signed)
 WOODROW WILSON.
 Hon. Robert Lansing. Secretary of State
 The Secretary of State.
 Lansing Explains
 Washingt ton, Feb. 9, 1920.
 My dear Mr Pres sk1ent:
 Tt is true that frequently during your illness, I requested the heads of the executive departments Of the gov ernment to meet for informal confer ence.
 Shortly after you were taken i'll in October, certain members of the cab met of which 1 was one, felt that, in view of the fact that we were denied communication with you, it was wise for us to confer informally together on inter departmental matters and matters as to which action could not be postponed until your medical ad l'isers permitted you to pass upon them. Accordingly, I, as the ranking member, requested the members ot the cabinet to assemble, for such in formal conference, and in view of the mutual benefit derived. the practice W as continued. I can assure you that it never for moment entered my mind that I was acting unconStitutionally or contrary to your wishes and there cer- ta;nly was no intention my part to assume powers and exercise func- tions which, under the constitution, are exclusively confided to the pres ident.
 During these troubleous times when many difficult and vexatious questions have arisen and when, in the circum stances. I have been deprived of your guidance and direction, it has been my constant endeavor to carry out your policies as I understood them and to act in all matters as I believed you would wish me to act. If, however you think that I have failed in my loyalty to you and if you no longer have confidence in me and prefer to have another conduct our foreign. af- fairs. I am. of course, ready, MT. Pres ident to relieve you of any embarass- ment by placing my resignation in your hands.
 T am as always. faithfully yours.
 fSigned) ROBERT LANSING.
 .rm Disappointed d.r-WiIson
 "The White House,
 1920.
 My dear Secretary:
 'I am very much disappointed by your letter of February 9. in reply to mine asking about the so -called cabi- net meeting. You kindly explain the motives or these meeJlu2S ana l IlDu nothing in your letter which juStifies your assumption of presidential au thority in such a matter. You say you felt that, in view of the fact that you were denied communication with me, it was wise to confer informally to- gether on inter-departmental matters; and matters as to which action could not be postponed until my medical ad viSerS permitted me to be seen and consulted but I have to remind you, Mr. Secretary, that no action could be taken without me by the cabinet and therefore, there could have been no disadvantage in awaiting action with regard to matters concerning which action could not have been taken without me.
 Unwilling Subordinate Charge
 This affair, Mir. Secretary, orSS deepens q feeling that was growing upon me. While we were still in Paris, felt, and have felt increasingly ever since, that you accepted my guidance and direction on questions with regard to which I had to instruct
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