Evening star., 1933-10-09
Resolution Backing Presl-
dents Order Removing
Him Is Adopted.
LETTER CHALLENGING
LEGALITY GIVEN Meeting
Reply Refuses Further Recognition
Of Republican-Members Con-
slider Controversy Ended.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

The Federal Trade Commission 70.
day adopted a resolution recognising
the validity Of President Roosevelts
order removing william E. Humphrey
as member Of the Federal Trade Com.
mission.
The resolution was adopted after Mr.,
Humphrey had appeared at the regular
meeting Of the commission and pre-.
sented to it letter denying the Presi-
dents right under the law to remove
him and offering to continue his activt-
ties as member Of the commission.
I'VE hereby decline to further recog-
n1ze Mr.. Humphrey as member Of the
Federal Trade Commission" the reso-
lutioI Of the commission concluded.
This action Of the commission seems
to join finally the issue between Mr..
Humphrey on the one hand, the Presi-
dent and the commission on the other.
March Issues Statement.
At the conclusion of a two-hour
meeting of the commission this morn
ing, attended by Mr.. Humphrey, Chair
man Charles H. March Of the trade
commission, issued the following state
ment:
THE Federal Trade Commission to-
day received the following letter from
William E. Humphrey:
october 9, 1888
To the Federal Trade Commission:
'Gentlemen-You have probably re-
ceived copy Of the communication
issued by the President purporting to
be an order removing me from Office as
member of the Federal Trade Com
mission. I refuse to recognize such
order as valid or as being within the
Presidents rightful power.
l am convinced the order is without
warrant OF law and is Intellectual. I am
therefore notifying you that I am still
a member OF the Federal Trade Com
mission and am ready and willing to
exercise the powers and functions Of
my said office and to participate in all
the deliberations and Official actions of
! the commission.
:" Should the commission decide to
oeny my said rights, then I ask that
such action be made of record and a
statement of the reason for such action
be made. If the commission shall de-
, eide the matter in my favor. shall
continue to perform the duties Of my
said Office
Respectfully submitted.
WILLIAM e. HUMPHREY"
Commissions Reply.
The commissions reply to Mr.. Hum.
phrey's letter is as follows:
whereas We are advised that the
President has issued and Hon. William
E Humphrey has received the following
order. to wit:
I am in receipt of your letter of
September q. Effective as Of this date,
you are hereby removed from the office
OF the commissioner OF the Federal
Trade Commission.
AND whereas, the members Of the
Federal Trade Commission recognize
the validity of said executive order. re-
moving the Hon. William E. Humphrey,
therefore We hereby decline to further
recognize Mr.. Humphrey as a member
OF the Federal Trade Commission"
At the commission it was said Mr..
humphrey was not expected to attend
1urther meetings of the commission.
Mr.. Humphrey was expected to re-
turn to his Office this afternoon, how
ever. at the commission in order to
wind up certain affairs on his desk.
Members OF the commission expect
Mr.. Humphrey will carry his case to
the courts. He may take several ave-
nues OF attack against the Presidents
| order One would be to bring suit in
the Court Of Claims to compel the pay
ment Of his salary.
Political Battle Promised.
The Humphrey case promises to bring
a battle In the courts over the right of
the President to remove a Federal
Trade commissioner without alleging
incompetence, neglect Of duties or mall
feasance in Office.
1t also promises to raise a major DO
litical battle, with the Republicans at
tacking the President for ousting a
Republican member of the commission
who had still five years to serve, merely
because Mr.. Humphreys mind did not
run along with the Presidents.
Mr.. Humphrey said that he had not
the slightest intention of giving up his
! Office unless compelled to do 50 by the
courts. He asserted he would take steps
necessary to protect his legal rights In
the matter.
Mr.. Humphrey, 1t Is known, has con-
suited attorneys and Republicans high
In the party leadership regarding his
case
In the meantime, President Roosevelt
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