Evening star., 1936-04-16
HAGOOD REPORTED.
URGED TO REMAIN
Authoritative Source Says
Roosevelt Asked General
Not to Resign.
BY CARLISLE BARGERoN.

Maj. Gen. johnson Hagood, whose re-
moval from his post in Texas after his
criticism of w. P. A. brought on wide
spread reign of terror" charge, was
not only reinstateo by President
Roosevelt, but he was urged to accept
reinstatement. This Is learned authori-
tatively.
Considerable speculation arose over
the generals announcement upon
reaching his new post as commander
Of the Sixth Corps Area at Chicago
that he had accepted a position with
Sears He said he was to
act only in an advisory capacity and
that 1t would not interfere with his
military duties at all. At the War
Department it was admitted this was
unusual" but there was the ex-
planation that such outside work as
the general contemplated was not out
OF order so long as 1t did not inter-
fere with his military service. The
practice Of some officers In writing
magazine articles was stretched for
an analogy.
Came Prepared to Resign.
Another version, however, Is begin
ming to spread over Army and Naval
circles. That is that the general came
here, on the occasion of his recent
visit, fully prepared to resign from the
Army to accept the offer from his old
friend, Robert E. Wood, head of the
mail order company. He requested
the interview with the President, but
the latter was most surprised at the
announcement Of his intention. Ha-
good had conferred with Mr.. Roosevelt
on the Presidents trip South several
weeks ago. and 1t is said he got no
very great satisfaction from the Presi-
dent at that time.
In the meantime the New Deal op-
ponentS we're making the most of his
being relieved from his command of
the 9Th Corps Area, and Mr.. Roose-
welt was being importuned by Demo-
Gratis to reinstate him, not only be-
cause of their regard for him, but be-
cause Of what they considered the bad
political reaction his dismissal was
getting. The Presidents problem was
not helped in the slightest by the dis
closure that Hagood's dismissal had
followed complaint by Aubrey Will
liams, Hopkins right -hand man in
w. p. A. 1t developed, too, that there
were two vacancies for corps COM
manders, one for the 9Th Corps Area,
at Chicago, and another for New York
area. There was conjecture as to
whether Hagood might not get one of
these posts.
Will Resign Shortly.
Then the offer, understood to be
quite attractive, came to Hagood from
Wood, with whom he served in France.
1t was with view to acquainting the
President of this offer and of his in
tention to resign that brought him to
Washington the last time.
Mr.. Roosevelt is reported to have
sized up the situation instantly and
asked him to accept the command of
the 9Th Corps Area and at the same
time go ahead and work for the mail
order house.
The understanding is that in a short
while he will resign, giving as his rea-
son that the commercial job is calling
for more Of his time than he antici-
pated. He is anxious to begin drawing
the salary attached to the job. 1t is
illegal for him to accept any money
from the mail order firm while still on
the Army's active list.
Through his reinstatement and sub
sequent resignation. however, the
reign Of terror" charge about him will
be disSipated. Some high Army Off
GERS are burning up over the way the
matter has turned out.