Arizona republican., 1921-03-03
WILLIAMS QUITS COMP MPTROLLER If
 CURRENCY POST; ASSA|LS SENATE IN PARTING SHOT
Williams Charges He Has Been Done "Gross Injus- tice" By Senate Banking Committees Silence
IRepubIican A. p. Leased WIreJ

WASHINGTON, March 2-John Skelton Williams retired tonight as comptroller of the currency. In ac- cepting his resignation, President Will son wrote Mir. Williams that he had been done a gross injustice" by the way in which the senate banking com mittee had handled the question of his reconfirmation.
 'I can only believe, however" said the president, that time will disclose the injustice to everybody and that the right verdict will be rendered by opin- ion, if not by one of the houses or congress.
 T have had the pleasure of express ing to you not only the approval Dut the admiration with which l have fol- lowed the administration of your or flee. You can carry away with you the satisfaction, of having performed the duties of comptroller in a way which has redounded not only to the credit of this administration, but to the financial interests of the country.
 The president was replying to a let ter from MT. Williams of February zs rendering his resignation, effective to- night, and in which he took a parting shot at some of his critics in congress. He charged that certain senators" who had the power to bring his nomination before tho senate had dodsed ana evaded ignominously.
 Mir. Williams also wrote that since "the expressed opposition" to his con- firmation had prolonged hearings De- fore two senate banking committees and virtually had put him by lmpn- cation" under charges, he had ie1t ne was "entitled to a verdict. :,
 'I have urged and pleaded Tn vain, he said. ''discussion of any objection to my confirmation. My information IS that Senator Mclean of Connecticut, chairman of the banking and currency committee, refused to report my case because he promised certain partisan politician that he would not report 1T.
 q was compelled to put in the record of the hearings an incident seriously involving the veracity of the man whose favor Senator Mclean sought to oDtain at the cost of justice and fair deallng' I am informed, however, that the per son to whom the promise was made recently consented to release Senator Mclean from, the obligations, put the senator refused to submit my confirma- ton.
 "He had probably learned a consider able number of fair minded Repubiicaf eenators had been disapprovlng tn' rank injustice of his course ana hl' petty politics and would have voted t' confirm my nomination. But as char man Senator Mclean chose to smother the confirmation in the committed
 am compelled to conclude that this sen ator lacks both the moral and menta caliber to uphold the duties and dlgm ties of his office"
 Mir. williams said the wide puollca tion of a statement that the banklns cornmittee reported against his nom tnafion was false" and that he woui' have welcomed such report or had resulted in securing for me hear ing" He added that If there was will to make it the nerve was lacking.
 The president, in replying, sald had read the letter, with the sreates sympathy" .L
 MT Williams is returning to Rlch nond to become chairman Of the boar of directors of the Richmond Irus company. He was first appolnte comptroller by President Wilson in Jan nary. 1914. after serving neSfly a yea as an assistant secretary or LII treasury. e,,4 oo,,
 The retiring comptroller first can, prominently before the country Tn l'l Sxben the Riggs National Bank washington. D. C., sought in1unctloI +o nrevent him from making what UT hank charged were unlaWfui denhahe for special reports. -.,,, Lo
 Since that time MT. Wliilams ha been engaged in controversies "i' s,,rious banks and individuals,
 Tn the last few days of his term M
 fcontinued on Page Two)