New Britain herald., 1924-03-28

Washington. March 2S.-At the request of President Cool idge, Attorney General Daugh- erty today submitted his resig- nation, effective at once.
 The presidents decision was based on a conviction that Mr. Daugherty could not give dis interested attention to his of ticial duties while under the stress of the senate inquiry into his conduct.
 Presence An Embarrassment
 While disclaiming any inten- tion to "prejudge" the issues raised in the investigation, the president wrote MT. Daugherty that his continuance in office must inevitably be source of "cver-increasing embarrass- ment."
 Three Sentences to Resignation
 In a letter of three terse sen- tences, the attorney general re- piled that he was resigning solely out of difference to your request"
 The correspondence was made public at the White House with out comment, but at the depart ment of justice Mir. DaugheIty immediately prepared a state ment setting forth again his side of the question.
 Presidents Letter.
 President Coolidge's letter 10 the Attorney General rcqu, sting his rDsig- nation was written under date or March 27. Ii follows;--
 My Dear Mir. Attorney General:
 Since my conference with you. | have examined the proposed reply you suggest making to the demand that you furnish the committee inves- tigating the Department of Justice with files from that department, re. lating 10 litigation and to the Bureau of Investigation. You represent fo me and to tho committee in your letter that it would not be compatible with the public interest to comply with the demand. and conclude your lot t- ter with a statement that ! approve that position.
 Couldn't Personall, investigate. Certainly approve the well estab- lished principle that departments should not give ont information or documents where such course would be detrimental 10 the public interest and this principle is always peculiar ly applicable 10 your department. which las such an intimate relation to tho administration Of justice. But you will readily perceive that I am unable 10 form an Independent Judgment in this instance without a long and intricate investigation Of 'oiuminOus papers. which cannot personally make. and SD l siuald he compelled to follow tne usual urac- tic" m such cases and rely upon your advice as Attorney General and head of inc Department Uf Justice.
 ''Bnt you will srp at 0nct. that tHc committee is Investigating your per sonal conduct. and hence you have become an interested paity. and tho committee wants thes" papers because Of a claim that they disClUsc -our per zoral conduct of the department. As- suming that inc request of the com mittee is appropriately limited to designated files. still the question will always be iilc same. In view or thc fact that fine inquiry relates to your personal rUnduct. you ate uUt iu position 10 give Go inp or ihe rom mittee what would ba ,lisinfarafted advice as Co tl5n public interest.
 Not Question uf IntpgIity
 ''You have q personal interest iH fhis investigation which is ieine made oi the conduct of yourself and your office. Uhich may be in conflict with Huur oiilcial tHtert st. as tHp attorney E7 neral. arn not questioning vour fairness or integrity. am nrrpir re- citing tfe faci tbat you arc p1a~rd in tso positions. one t0ur personal iu- trrcSt. the other your ndi0p of attur- uey general. whirh may ue in con HiCt.
 How can ] satisfy q request for action in matters Of this nature on the ground that you. as attorney gem erai. adtise against t. when you as the individual against whom the iu- 1uiTy is directed necessarily have personal interest in II. do not see how you can be acting for yourself in your oWn defense iu this matter. and at the same time and or the same question acting as my aItiser as at- .prusy general.