Evening star., 1933-10-08
Copyright, 1888 by the Associated Press)

tSoPyFIths, 1900, py tne Assoclateo fHeSoJ
Following are some excerpts from
the correspondence between President
Roosevelt and Commissioner William E.
Humphrey leading up to yesterdays
removal" of the trade commissioner:
Late in July Humphrey wrote the
President saying he had heard his
resignation would be asked for. He
asked for a personal interview, and con-
tinued:
For the greater part Of 40 years I
have been in the public service. am
not aware of anything discreditable in
my record or any act act that I would
blot out. If that long service Is ended
by forced resignation, 1t would be to
some extent a reflection on my career
and would greatly injure me in my pro-
fession If I should again take up the
practice Of law"
Roosevelt Replies.
"My dear commissioner:
"In reply to your letter of last week,
I rekret that the present demands on
nv time make 1t impossible at the mo-
ment to grant your request for per-
sonal interview.
without any reflection at all upon
VOL personally or upon the service you
have rendered in your present capaclty'
I find 1t necessary to ask for your reslg-
nation as q member Of the Federal
Trade Commission. do so because 1
feel that the aims and purposes OF the
administration with respect 10 tne "oih
of the commission can be carried OUT
most effectively with personnel OF my
own selection. .ou
NAV l take this opportunity to tell
ator Dill I have been Withholding thls
action for some time, but have now
reached a definite decision to proceed
along the lines have in mind.
Il congratulate you upon your long
and active service.
Sincerely yours, "
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT"
"My dear Mr.. President:
your letter dated July 25 and de-
livered on July 20, has been received
Thanks for Confidence"
IT thank you for your expressions OF
confidence and consideration. and they
are received in the same spirit In when
they are given.
LAS YOU we'll understand, I have lost
all professional and business connec-
tions after being out of practice for
nine years. Naturally I should ike TO
consult my friends as to my future ac-
tions. Some of these friends, as you
probably know. live in Seattle-my
home. Such matters cannot be dis
cussed satisfactorily by correspondence
May add that do not feel that l
90 beyond right or courtesy when
suggest a reasonable time in which to
consult my friends in regard to future
actions.
Wv E. HUMPHREY"
Roosevelt Grants Respite.
The President replied by telegram
from Hyde Park on August 4:
Il have your letter and fully ap-
preciate your desire to have little time
to make arrangements. Therefore am
accepting your resignation, but not to
take effect until August Is. Please &C
knowledge receipt.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT"
On August 10. Humphrey wrote:
my Dear Mr.. President;
In acknowledging your telegram OF
August 4. thank you for the courtesy
and consideration shown. You say, i
am accepting your resignation. -. In
this YOU are in error, as I have not
rendered my resignation as member
of the Federal Trade Commission, and
cannot do so. If any document pur-
porting to be my resignation has been
presented to you, it was without my au-
thority. consent or knowledge.
LAS all of my requests for per
sonal interview have been denied, feel
that it is a duty owe to the public and
alf 70 hrin OF yr-h
comply with your request.
Quotes Statute.
"The statute creating the Federal
Trade Commission says. any commits
sioner may be removed by the President
for inefficiency. neglect of duty or mall
feasance in Office 1 must assume that
the President and the public know the
language of this statute '''
Congress intended that the Federal
Trade Commission should be an inde-
pendent. mi-judicial, continuing body,
at all times qualified to deal fairly and
intelligently with matters that come be-
fore it. The statute provides for rota-
ton in office of its members. The vital
purpose of these provisions was that
the business of the country might at
all times have, in the often quoted Ian
W
bunal appointed by law and informed
by experience The very purpose of
the statute, it seems to me, is destroyed
by the power of the President to remove
a member of that body because he
wants in his place member of his own
selection =
Il am we'll aware of the decision that
holds that the President has the unre-
strained power to remove postmaSterS.
There is no such decision made involv-
ing statute similar to that creating
the Federal Trade Commission. -"
Respectfully yours,
wv. E. HUMPHREY"
President Insists.
The Presidents next letter was dated
August 81, from Hyde Park:
My dear Commissioner Humphrey:
Il am sure that I do not need to tell
you that would not wish to hurt you
in any way if it can possibly be avoided,
and that IS why I still hope that you
will be willing to let me have your
resignation as member of the Federal
Trade Commission.
You will, know, realize that I do
not feel that your mind and my mind
go along together on either the policies
or the administering of the Federal
Trade Commission, and frankly, think
it is best for the people Of this country
that I should have full confidence.
Il have. as you know, delayed pre-
senting this matter for many weeks. I
am leaving today to return to Wash
ington by water, and I shall not get
there until next Tuesday morning. I
feel that for your sake and for mine.
it would be much better if you could