New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
Other Reasons
For Removal.
Says Redfield
President Never Expressed
Disapproval of Cabinet
Meetings to His Knowl-
edge, Asserts ex-Secretarv

William c. Redfeld, Secretary of
Commerce in the Wilson Cabinet until
September last, when he resigned for
pecuniary reasons, discussing the resig-
nation of Secretary Lansing last night,
said that President Wilson knew of the
meetings of his Cabinet months ago,
when they were first called, and had
never openly expressed disapproval.
Mr.. Redfield added that he believed the
Presidents reasons for asking Mr. Lam
sings resignation were not based on
the informal Cabinet gatherings. .
The request for Secretary Lansing's
resignation was a great surprise and
shock to me-" said Mr.. Redfeld. ~
was present at the first meeting of the
Cabinet under Mr.. Lansing. The mem
bers present sent word to Mr.. Wilson
through DR.. Grayson that they were
meeting, and expressed hope that the
President would have speedy re-
covery. Admiral Grayson brought back
an inquiry from Mr.. Wilson as to what
business was in hand, and the Cabinet
members replied that they had met in
conference to determine their duty in
view of his disability.
"No word of disapproval of our meet
lngs ever came from the White House,
to the best of my knowledge. 1t is
astonishing to learn now of the Presi-
dents disapproval. The Cabinet gath
crings were voluntary, informal and, to
my mind. necessary, if the nations
business was to proceed regularly and
with intelligent knowledge of progress
made.
Il believed then, and still do, that it
was our duty. nothing more nor less, to
meet as we did. ! accept my share of
responsibility for what was done. To
my knowledge there was never the
faintest suggestion in word or spirit
| that tho Cabinet members were trying
to do anything except help President
Wilson during his illness as far as we
were able.
"Of course, can speak only of what
happened up to the time of my with
iished correspondence brings out, | am
forced to believe that other causes than
the requests by Secretary Lansing to
his colleagues to meet for consultation
lay behind the Presidents request for
his resignation"
William Gibbs McAdoo, son-in-law of
President Wilson, when asked yester-
day what was his opinion in regard to
the resignation Of Secretary Lansing,
uecNned TO comment. Mr.. nj cAdOo, who
was a member Of the Cabinet as Secre-
tary of the Treasury until November
23, 1918, when he resigned for pecuniary
reasons, said at his office, 12O Broad
way, that he did not care to make a
statement.
''ln view of my relationship to the
PRESIDENT said he, "and because |
have always had friendly and cordial
relations with Secretary Lansing, |
should not like TO discuss the latt.r's
resignation. In fact, | should prefer
to have it said that l have not com
mented in any way upon it,
Colonel f. ii. House, speaking on
the circum stances leading to the resig-
nation of the Secretary of State, made
the following statement:
Il do not care to make any comment,
since both have been my friends. I
nave never had disagreeable differ-
ence with the Pres don't or with Mr..
Lansing during the many years we
have worried toge ther; both have
shown me az al times and in all cr
cum stances much considerst nd
friendship
A few months ago, when So rela.y
Lansing y.s en- ro4.e 60 w aington
te si'ag a, ong an