The Washington herald., 1921-03-02

TO MAKE PLACE
FOR TlJMULTY
Administration Accepts
Resignation of Joint
Commission Head.
COLBY CALLS ON
OFFICIAL TO QUIT
Chairman's Protest on
Precipitate Action Fails
To Gain Hearing.

joint COfnfnissiOn, hdo pSSh
pelIed to relinquish his Office to
make possible the appointment by
the President of retiring Official
of the present administration.
This became known yesterday
through correspondence between
Mr.. Gardner and the Secretary oil
state. which reveals a demand for
Chairman Gardner's resignation. q
reply, from him, and a statement
that he has not resigned from ONCE
followed by the acceptance OF MS
resignation" as of February Is.
rendered to Tumulty.
It was sannounced on February q
that Joseph p. Tumulty, secretary to
President Wilson. had been tender
ed appointment to the commission
and that he had II under considera-
tion.
The first move toward the dis
missal of Mr.. Gardner was made by
Secretary Colby. on February 16
when he wrote Mr.. Gardner, himself
a Democrat and chairman of the
commission since his appointment
by President Wilson in October
1913. requesting his resignation or
the grounds that the President de-
sired to make an appointment te
.Gardner's post.
Letter From Colby.
The text of Secretary colby's let.
ter follows:
My dear sir:
LAS you are aware, the position
which you have filled now for more
than seven years as a member oi
the International Joint Commission
is under the law one that Is held
subject to the pleasure of the Exec
utive.
The President desires to make al
appointment to this position and
assume, Of course. that. knowing
his wishes. yot will be very glad t
place yssE sisPa.isa Atsts- dis
7 hasten 70 ada that there is no
the slightest reflection or displeas
ure Indicated in this request.
" am. my dear. Mr.. Gardner. you
obedient servant,
-BAINBRIDGE COLBY"
Favors AOraeriy" Course.
Receipt OF the communication wa
delayed. and Il was not until Feb
ruary "a that the chairman receive,
the letter. He acknowledged receip
by wire. and sent a confirming let
ter. In this he pointed out ina
'precipitate abandonment" of hi.
duties by the chairman of eithe
the American or Canadian sections
of the commission would occasion
detriment to the public interest o.
both the United States and the Do
minion. "as well as to the Interest,"
of individual inhabitants of boil
countries"
He declared that unless Presiden
Wilson requested otherwise. h,
would proceed at once to confe
with his colleagues on the commits
sion and with all diligence arrangI
to be relieved in an orderly manner
of the duties which have come I,
him as chairman"
Resignation Ii Announeed.
This letter, from RockIand. Me.
whittier Mr.. Gardner had returned
latter three-weeks' trip in the in
terests of the commission, was de
livered to the State Department yes
terday. The department, also yes
terday, notified william H. Smith
secretary to and disbursing office
of the commissions American sec.
tion. that Mr.. Gardner's "resigna
tion" had been accepted as of Feb
ruary 2s.
That there were no grounds fol
such action was made clear by Mr.
Gardner in a telegram to The Herak
from Ottawa, Ont. yesterday as fol
lows: --.
Have not rendered my resigna
tion. You have my permission {,
publish my letter to Secretary o
State, Gath inst"
Mr.. Gardner's Letter.
The text of Mr.. Gareners lette,
follows:
Dear Mr.. Secretary: Confirmint
my telegram to you, as follows
Upon my return here today 1 fint
your letter Of February 1s, which
has been forwarded to this point
Have been absent since February
attending to business of the interna
tional joint commission which Is tn,
cause Of delay in 1t being received
Letter follows:
"And in further reply I have tn,
honor to state that feel IL to he m,
dry as an American. citizen to sug
gest for your consideration the in
ternational character Of the dutie,
imposed upon the chairman Of tn,
American and Canadian sections o,
the international joint Commission
Those duties, involving, amons
others, the direction and superyi
sion Of commission procedure re
quired by the treaty and now un.
der way. cannot precipitately b,
abandoned by either chairman with
ont detriment to the public interes
of both the United States and Can,
ada, as well as to the interests a
Individual inhabitants OF both coun
tries.
Formal Action Imperative,
1T is imperative that matter,
and duties placed In my hands a,
chairman Of the American section
by formal action of the commissiop \
at earlier meetings as wen as tn,
executive session of the commissio,
held In New York last week. shal
be transferred in an orderely man
ner.
ut is likewise imperative, in or
der that the American section of tn,
commission may function withou
interruption. that some other mem
non+rsu.n on pAes-rrr.
-