The Washington herald., 1921-03-02

tnat Sucn aCLlOn cannot De taken on
the instant Nor can /, without
bringing criticism upon myself per-
sonally, and perhaps, under the cir
cumstances, upon the executive
branch of my government, impul-
sively abandon the international
duties imposed upon me as chair
man of the American section Of the
commission.
Would Consult Colleagues
81 beg you to assure the Presi-
dent of my always earnest desire
to comply with any wish he may
express. Also, Mr.. Secretary, l beg
you to inform the President that,
unless he requests otherwise. / shall
proceed at once to confer with my
colleagues on the commission and
with all diligence arrange to be re-
lieved in an orderly manner of the
duties that have come to me as
chairman.
Should I be advised, however,
that the President requires my i'm
mediate resignation, in order that
he may make the appointment you
state in your letter he desires to
make I should feel absolved by the
record from all criticism, national
and international, that would be
aroused at this juncture over the
confusion of and inevitable delay
to certain work of the commission.
which drastic or impetuous action
would precipitate."
Request by T1muity.,
How far 1t is the active desire
of President Wilson to dispense
with the services of Mr.. Gardner
ii is hard to reckon.
Friends of Mr.. Gardner said yes
terday that Mr.. Tumulty on April
is, 1920, wrote the commission ask
ing an employe in the office of
Administration be named secretary
of the American section. The COM
mission. however. on May 13. elected
W. H. Smith as its secretary
Perhaps the most serious aspect
of Mr.. Gardner's enforced relin-
quishment of his post is the possible
effect upon the successful issue of
the st. Lawrence canal project. of
vital importance to the Middle West.
providing as it does for the con-
nection of the Great Lakes and the
Atlantic Ocean by a waterway navi-
gable by seagoing craft and afford
ing direct outlet to international
commerce for grain and other prod
ucts of that great section.
Two Unknown Quantities.
At present there are but two
members Of the American section
out Of the three provided for-Mr.
Gardner and Clarence D. Clark, for
mer Senator fom Wyoming Both are
strongly in favor of the st. Law
renee development.
On March 4, Marcus Aurelius
Smith, whose term as Senator from
Arizona then expires, will take
seat on the commission. His atti-
tude toward the development is not
definitely known, That of Mr.. Tu-
multy also Is problematical. He has
strong political ties In his home
State. New Jersey, which with New
York is .militantly adverse to the
construction of the canal.
The International Joint Commits
sion was created by treaty with
Great Britain and has jurisdiction
over all cases. Involving the use
or obstruction or diversion of wa
ters forming the international
boundary or crossing the boundary
between the United States and Can
ada"
The further important task is as
signed to the body. of reporting Oh
"any questions or matters of differ
ence arising between the high con-
tracing parties inovlving the rights,
obligations, or interests of the
United States or of the Dominion
Of Canada either in relation to each
other or to their respective inhabi-
tants" II officially requested
Though commissionership is not
a position demanding great activity
1t necessarily calls for an expert
knowledge of matters which are
before or likely to come before the
body for adjustment.
Mr.. Gardner for many years has
claimed as his home State Maine,
abutting the Dominion. He has
held various posts in the State De-
partment and filled out the unex-
pired term of William p. Frye as
United States Senator, 1911-lsi3..
Senator Smith was appointed by
President Wilson to filI commits
sionership vacated nearly a year
ago by the death OF Robert Brodnax
Gienn, former governor OF North