Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-06-11
Lewis Relates His Interview with
Coolidge.

Commissioner David j. Lewis. of Maryland,
related 10 detail the story Of his interview
with President Coolidge in September,
1924, during which the President gave him
a temporary re- appointment. but asked that
Lewis sign in advance an undated resis-
nation. to be accepted at the pleasure Of
the Executive.
The former commissioner declared he
refused to sign the undated resignation
and suggested the President tear up his
Mr.. Coolidge halted in his signature of the
commission TO inquire il Mr.. Lewis had
brought along his resignation was tersely
told by the witness.
William S. Culbertson. now American
Minister to Rumania. at that time a mem
Der of the Tariff Commission, had informed
him of the Presidents desire. Mr.. Lewis
said. Soon after Mr.. Lewis himself went
to the White House. Mr.. Culbertson, in
recent testimony. had given part Of the
story. but former Commissioner Lewis was
the star Witness TUESDAY.
Tuesdays session also brought back Com
missioner Edward p. Costigan to explain
why he made public through Senator
Norris. of Nebraska. and the Senate Com
mittee the now famous memorandum Of
Mr.. Culbertson regarding the internal dis
sensions in the commission and criticizing
President Coolidge because of certain ap-
pointments and his alleged attempt to in
terfere with the commissions investiga-
tons.
Commissioner Costigan denied these
documents had been confidential. They
had been made public, he said. in the
public interest after Mr.. Culbertson, hav-
ing received a diplomatic appointment,
INDUCED in self qualification" by defend.
ing President Coolidge and recanting on
the views he. Culbertson. had held as COM
missioner Costigan said 1t was difficult to
reconcile Culbertson the tariff commissioner
with Culbertson, the American Minister to
Rumania.
Mr.. Lewis supported the Costigan state
ment that the Culbertson documents read
into record were never labeled confidential.
Mr.. Lewis recalled there was an understand
ing between Culbertson. Lewis and COST
gan that the story Of their experiences in
the Tariff Commission should be made
public some day. According to Mr.. Lewis,
Commissioner Culbertson was anxious to
get the whole affair into the newspapers
right away. while Lewis and Costigan pre-
ferred to wait an official investigation.
such as 10 now on.
why" said Mr.. Lewis, this investiga-
ton is more Culbertson's than Costigan's.
II was CulbertsOn who got me to make a
memorandum Of my interview with the
President on September 8. 1924"
Mr.. Lewis said he wanted to take his
full share Of the responsibility of making
the Culbertson memoranda public, particu-
larly the letter written from Bucharest last
July, wherein Minister Culbertson wrote
Costiean criticizing President Coolidge fol
appointing Edward B. Broussard to the
commission and referring to Broussard al
belonging to the sugar interests.
"Mr. Culbertson." explained Mr.. Lewis
had made complete turn about-face anC
felt that any legal and truthful method
might be properly used to answer the mis-
conduct on his part"
Mr.. Culbertson told me on the mOrninl
of September 8, 1924" Mr.. Lewis testified
"that he had just returned from the Whit
House, where the President had called hin
TO discuss my appointment. He said tn
President would re-appoint me. but h
wanted me to file an undated letter O
resignation. to be accepted at his pleasure
u was almost dumfounded and talke
with Culbertson about the request to &c
an accurate account Of the matter. Nj
Culbertson handed me a paper. which
learned was the form of paper was
sign. He said, Well, Lewis. this is wha
he wants you to write.
Mr.. Lewis added that indignation fo
lowed his surprise and then turning towar
Senator Robinson. of Arkansas. the con
mittee chairman. the witness said:
Frankly, sir. the President knew wante
the re-appointment badly | thought at tn
time he might have the idea that tn
resignation was being demanded Of on
who. perhaps, would be unwilling to sa
no. After indicating my feelings to M
Culbertson. left his Office"
did Commissioner Culbertson EXPIRE:
himself ?" inquired Senator LaFollette, j
Il thought he seemed sympathetic" r,
sponded Lewis. But he also expresse
the fear that If did not sign the resient
tion paper my place would be vacant an
might 60 to some undesirable person.
Il gave the matter careful considerable
and that afternoon went to the Whit
House. made a memorandum of wht
took place that day. 1t was made at M
Culbertson's suggestion. As entered ii
Presidents office he greeted me cordial
and said:
"'Mr. Lewis, am going to re-appoiI
you
HE reached over on his desk for lars
paper. which was the commission. and va
soon proceeding to sign it, When he ha
gotten half through his signature he turne
and asked me if had brought the lett,
(of resignation), ! said
mo. Mr.. President, do not feel free
sign such letter.
THE President stopped signing momer
tarily and seemed much displeased.
then went on with his signature. saying ::
alt doesn't matter you will hold offic
at my pleasure in any event
Noting his displeasure. suggested this
II he would hear my reason for not sier
ing he might agree with me. He replied
"'Oh, no wouldn't
Then he pushed the signed paper owe
TO me.