San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-28
SAYS REASONS NOGOOD
Declares Coolidge's State.
ments "Unwarranted /;
by Facts." !
WARNS OF "CRISIS"
Says Republican Enemies
Seek to Deulrone Law
and Order.

Washington. ID. c., March 2S.-
Attorney General Daugherty stepped
out of the cabinet today at the re-
quest of President Coolidge and then.
once more a private citizen. made a
sizzling attack on those who forced
him out.
"Cowardice" and surrender of
principle" he declared in an open
letter to the President, never should
be permitted to dictate policies based
on party expediency."
In asking for the resignation, Mr..
Coolidge declared his decision was
based on a deep conviction that Mr..
Daugherty could not adequately per-
form his duties as a disinterested
public servant while defending HIM
self before the Senate committee
These reasons the attorney general
swept aside in his reply as "unwar-
ranted by the facts"
The real purpose of the assault on
him, he said, was to dethrone law and
order and by a constantly extending
attack on the administration general
ly TO set up an inquisition of scandal
and terrorism
The White House made no COM
ment, and as soon as he had dis
patched his rejoinder TO the President,
Mr.. Daugnerty boarded a train for
Atlantic City.
While disclaiming any intention to
"pre-judge" the issues raised in the
investigation, the President wrote Mr..
Daugherty that his continuance in of
flee must inevitably be a source OF
"ever-increasing embarrassment"
In letter of three terse sentences,
the attorney general replied that he
was reSigning "solely out of Difference
to your request"
The correspondence was. made pub
lie at the White House without CONF
ment, but at the Department Of JUS
tice, Mr.. Daugherty Immediately pre-
pared a statement setting forth again
his side of the question.
Says Action Unwarranted.
This statement took the form OF
second letter to the President in which
the retiring attorney general declared
the grounds on which his retirement
had been forced, seemed to him -un-
tenable."
Mr.. Daugherty recalled that he
! twice had offered, since Mr.. Coolidge
became President, TO retire but had
been requested TO remain.
Surrounded by an ever-growing
storm of criticism, and under the
pressure of many of his ranking party
leaders, Daugherty consented to follow
Secretary DENLY into retirement.
Coolidge Accepts at Once.
His resignation, promptly accepted
by President Coolidge, clears the adj
ministration of the last of those
cabinet members who have become
storm centers in the oil scandal.
The factor which had greatest
weight in bringing the question of
Mr.. Daugherty's status to an acute
issue was a conviction on the part
Of the President that under present
conditions public business is not re-
ceiving the attention merited by il in
the Department of Justice.
Since the Senate's investigation OF
the department began on March II,
Mr.. Coolidge has seen plain indica-
tons that some department officials
were giving a large part Of their at
tention to the defense of Mr.. Daugh-
erty to the apparent detriment OF
their regular pursuits.
There is no doubt also, that the
repeated charges made before the Sem
ate committee. leading directly TO the
door of the attorney generals offic.
although not involving him directly.
have had their influence in finally
determining his fate.
Wanted 10 Stay in.
Mr.. Daugherty had insisted that he
be permitted to remain in office until
he had been given opportunity 20 an
Swer fully all the charges made be-
fore the investigating committee. As
the testimony has developed. however.
it has become apparent that II he
were to vindicate his department II
would become necessary for him 20
diSprove also the charges against
jess Smith and Others closely associate
ed with him.
President COolidge's letter request
ing the resignation based the request
on the attorney generals refusal 70
comply with the.!spmmons by the Sem
ate investigating -umittee for GER
a