Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-28
CLEAVES' Def
(Continued from PAGE One)

ly before Governor Parkhurst'S death.
however, one newspaper published the
fact that I was to resign, and there
upon I wrote to Governor Parkhurst.
explaining the situation to him, and
asked him not to have any feeling of
sensitiveness over the fact that the
news Of my proposed resignation
came to him first by the newspapers.
and gave him an outline of my attempt
to see him and Immediately put him
, in touch with matters as soon as
found that I was to resign. Governor
Parkhurst did not recover.
All this told you at our interview.
7 further told you that I should put
my resignation in your hands immedi-
ateIy if it was not for the fact that
felt I had a right to be interested
and was interested in the type Of man
who might be chosen as my success
sor; and if it would not be offensive
to you I would prefer to have you
understand that my resignation would
be handed to you at such time as you
had decided upon the right type OF
| man to be my successor. Your state
| ment was that you were pleased to
know that I was sufficiently interest
| ed in the future Of the commission to
| desire its head to be Of the highest
type, and that this was in exact ac-,
cord with your own desire, and you
would be glad to have the benefit of
my advice with reference to the ap-
pointment.
You further stated that your duties
as governor had come upon you very
J suddenly. that the Legislature was in
session, and that there would necessa-
rity be very heavy burden resting
upon you during The session, and that
If / could find a way Of doing so you
preferred that would remain as chair
man ofthe commission until the Leg
islature had adjourned. 1 said to you
that while not entirely convenient I
would do this for your accommods ton
but that you must protect me at all
times, because of the fact that as
executive secretary of the Associated
industries I would necessarily have to
be publicly appearing before commit
tee OF the Legislature, and that I de-
sired more than anything else that
there should be no misunderstanding.
10 this you assented, and you fully
understood at that time I had then
become the executive secretary to this
association and that at all times I
should be engaged in looking after it's
interests, and that from time to time
L would necessarily appear publicly in
my capacity as executive secretary. T
publicly registered as legislative coun-
sci Tor the association, have appeared
before committee upon at least four
occasions prior to last Friday, and it
has been very generally known that I
was acting in this capacity. l have
not hesitated to say to a considerable
number of people what my understand
ing was with you.
so lar as the performance by me
since l became secretary of the Assoc
ciated Industries of my duties as
chairman of the Public Utilities Com
mission, l have only this to saw. 7
nave attended to the business of the
compassion first. and have given to
the performance of those duties all the
ABILITY which I have and all the time
when is necessary. Such work as T
nave done for the Associated Indus
tries has been done upon Saturday
afternoons, Sunday and evenings. IT
mas neen my custom during the six
years that L have been chairman of
thls commission to devote all of the
tlme necessary to the performance of
my duties, and L have often worked
Lar INTO the night and upon Saturday
'~ilelhoohs and Sundays. 1 feel very
sure that if / have during the pres
eht winter taken an occasional half
hour to appear before a legislative
committee and an occasional half dav
IKE last Friday, 1 have given to the
state IN actual hours of service be-
yond the hours when the offices here
are supposed TO close more than 10
lifnes as many hours as 1 have taken
from that part of the day when this
once is supposed to be open.
| If at any time during the last cav
eral weeks you had indicated to me
that you had decided upon a proper
successor as chairman of the Utilities
commission, l should have Immediate
~, IN accordance with my understand
ing with yop. have written nv resip-
nation and placed it in your hands. he
cause, as you know, it has been NV
ueslre since early in January to be re-
AieVeu' out, under the circumstances
Whlch now exist, and in view of what T
particularly object to, viz: Your evil
dent misunders landing or mis-recoIlec-
ton OF the true situation as indicated
by your letter, am unable to corn,v
with your suggestion that I hand Won
my resignation, and indicate to Won
my absolute refusal so to do.
This creates, need not saw. an ON.
barrassing situation, more embarra 81
ing to me than it probably will be to
you because of the fact that under
proper circums tances should genuine
~ desire to be relieved, and heinz
under the circumstances as see than
Obliged to remain for a time anvwav
places burdens upon me which I would
willingly place upon other shoulders
onder the statute you have a right to
attempt my removal. If you propose
to adopt this course, I ask that va,
40 thls as promptly as possible.
Will accommodate myself to tho
convenience Of Your Excellencv and
the Council if any hearing is deemed
necessary. I shall resist removal, and
DO not believe any cause for removal
exists. If You do not see fit to nress
.he matter or removal. or if it is de-
| layed for anv conc;daroh,. ,.,