The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-03
WILLIAMS RETIRES AS COMPTROLLER
 OF THE CURRENCY
Done Gross Injustice by Senate Banking Committee, Presi- dent Declares in Accept
 ing Resignation
By Associated Press

Washington, March 2.-John Skel- ton Williams retired tonight as comp troller of the currency. In accepting his resignation with deep and genu- inc reluctance" President Wilson wrote Mr. Williams that he had been done "gross injustice" by the way in which the Senate banking commit tee had handled the question of his reconfirmation.
 T can only believer, however" said the President, that tine will disclose the injustice to everybody and that the right verdict will be ren iered by opin- ion, if not by one of the houses of Con- gress.
 T have had the pleasure upon more than one occasion of expressing to you the approval not only. but the admira- ton with which I have followed the administration of your office. You can carry away with you into private life the satisfaction of having performed the duties of comptroller of the cur rency in way which has redounded rot only to the credit of this admins tration, but to the material benefit of the financial interests of the country"
 TAKES PARTING SHOT
 The Presiden was writing in reply to letter from MT. Williams on Feb ruary 2s, rendering his resignation, ef- fective tonight, and fn which he took a parting shot at some of his critics in Congress. The retiring comptroller charged that certain senators" who had the power to bring his nomination bafore the Senate had "dodsed and eyaded ignominiously"
 MT. Williams also wrote that since the expressed opposition" to his con firmation and prolonged hearings be- fore two Senate banking committees virtually had put him by implication under charges he had felt that he was entitled to verdict
 'T have urged and pleaded in vain" he said, discussion in the open Senate on legislative session 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. not a member of the Senate. that he would not report it.
 SENATOR IS RELEASED
 Unfortunately. I was compelled to put in the record of the hearings an in icdent seriously involving the man whose favor Senator Mclean sought to obtain at the cost of justice and fai dealing. I am informed. however. that the person to whom the promise was made recently consented to release Senator Mclean from the obligations referred to, but the senator refused to submit the matter of my confirmation to Senate containing majority of his own party.
 He had probably learned that a con- siderable number of fair-minded re- publican senators had been disapproy- ing the rank injustice of his course and his petty politics. and would have voted to confirm my nomination even though he had reported adversely. But as chairman, Senator Mclean chose to smother the confirmation in the com mititee. l am compelled to conclude that this senator lacks both the moral and mental caliber to uphold the duties and dignities of his office. and that the consideration due to those, as well as the most sacred rights. must. therefore, be subordinated to his sordid and small political and personal purposes"
 STATEMENT FALSE
 Mir. Williams said the wire publica- tion of statement that the banking committee reported against his nomi- nation was "false," and that he would have welcomed such a report if 1t had resulted in securing for me a hearing before the Senate or the public" He added that If there was a will to make it. the nerve was lacking
 The retiring comptroller told the President that his resignation, under the circumstances and berore expira- tion of the time might have occupied this office, under my present tenure. and pending action by the Senate on my nomination" required him to pre- sent this very brief compilation of the facts and of the reasons for my ac- tipn."
 The Prfsident, in replying said he had read the letter with the greatest sympAthy"