Evening star., 1924-03-28
STAND
UNTENAbLE, SAYS
DAUGHERTY REPLY
Twice Offered to Resign, He
States-LeaveS D. c. for
Atlantic City.

Declaring that while he was aware
that the argument of party expe-
diency" had been used to secure his
retirement but that "cowardice and
surrender of principle are never ex-
pedient," Attorney General Daugherty
ampiified his formal letter of resig-
nation today with a lengthy letter to
the President, replying to the Chief
Executives communication request
ing his resignation.
The retiring Attorney General de-
clared that the grounds upon which the
President had forced his retirement
seemed to him "untenable.''
Sees Crisis in Country.
Declaring the attack on him was
| only a part of definite program to
discredit the administration as a
whole, Mr.. Daugherty declared the
country was confronting q grave
crisis, which must determine whether
the country is to be governed by law
! and order or by Islander. terrorism
and fear"
Any suggestion that he could not
function as Attorney General and
defend myself against these charges
at the same time" the letter said. was
hardly warranted by the facts"
Twice Wanted to Quit.
Mr.. Daugherty recalled that he
twice had offered since Mr.. Coolidge
became President to retire, but had
! been requested to remain.
Immediately after signing the last
letter to the President. Mr.. Daugh-
erty left Washington for a brief rest
at Atlantic City.
The text of the letter follows:
My Dear Mr.. President:
Under separate cover / have just
handed you my formal resignation
as Attorney General of the United
States to take effect forthwith. Now
that / am no longer a member of
your cabinet i feel constrained, as
a private citizen. in all kindness. 10
call certain matters to your attention.
Your request, Mr.. President, for my
resignation is based on grounds
which seem to me untenable. AS you
will perhaps remember. 1 did not
intend to seek your advice with re-
gard to compliance with the demands
of the Senate committee for the in
discriminate delivery of the conflden-
tial files of the Department of Jus
to you, my duty was clear, for 1 had
frequently been called upon to de-
termine this question. My answer
was ready, as L informed you, and
furnished you a copy thereof.
Reveals Sole Purpose.
My sole purpose in taking the mat
ter up with you was to let you know
the position 1 was compelled to take
in the interest of the public business
and for the protection of the govern
ment, that you might be in position
to advise other departments, If SIM
liar requests were made, what course
they should pursue.
Your suggestion that 1 cannot func-
tion as Attorney General and defend
myself against these charges at the
same time, / believe, is hardly war
ranted by the facts. You know that
have employed counsel. at my own
expense, to take the responsibility Of
representing me at the hearings be-
fore the Senate committee in order
that 1 could devote my time to the
public business, which / have been
doing continuously.
Holds Methods Emcienf.
Those employed in the department
have given no time belonging to the
gatfoni except to furnish data re-
quired by the various congressional
committees. The business of the de-
partnent is at it's peak in efficiency
and accomplishment. and ! am pre-
pared to demonstrate this fact before
forded.
Your suggestion that an attack upon
cabinet officer disqualifies him for
further official service is a dangerous
doctrine. Mr.. President, all the pre-
tended charges against me are false.
But whether true or false. il a MEM
ber of the cabinet Is to be incapaci-
tated or disqualified by the prefer
ment of charges against him. no mat
ter how malicious and. groundless, and
he is compelled to give up his re-
sponsible position and sacrifice his
honor for the time being because of
such attack, no man in any official
position is safe, and the most hon.
orable, upright and efficient public
servant could be swept from office
and stable government destroyed by
clamor.I
Calls Himself Victim.
I have often advised you that my
elimination is part of the program
now being carried out. The origin Of
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