Evening star., 1940-03-20
Allen Resigns
AS District
Commissioner
Returns to Insurance
Concern; No Hint
OF Successor
BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG.

George E. Allen will give up his
position as a member of the Board
of Commissioners of the District on
April Is to resume his duties as vice
president of the Home Insurance Co.
of New York, with Offices in this city.
This was announced at the White
House today. The President was
represented as being reluctant to
lose Mr.. Aliens services but as real
izing that circumstances make it
necessary for him to return to his
private interests.
In announcing Mr.. Aliens retire.
ment as Commissioner, the White
House made public his recent letter
asking the President to relieve him,
and the Presidents response in
which he reluctantly accepted the
resignation and praised him for the
work he has done as Commissioner.
In the fall of 1898 the President
drafted" Mr.. Allen from his in
surance work to take charge of the
Presidents plans for reorganization
of the government of the District
of Columbia. Commissioner Aliens
work is virtually cmpleted and the
time has arrived when he feels it is
imperative to return to his duties
as an executive of the insurance
company.
No Hint of Successor.
The White House said today the
President has no one in mind for
appointment to fill Mr.. Aliens
vacancy on the Board of Commits
sioners and has actually given the
matter no consideration.
Commissioner Aliens resignation
under date of March 10 follows:
Dear Mr.. President:
1T is with sincere reluctance that
I again submit my resignation as
| one of the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia, effective April
Is, 1910.
You have been aware of my de-
sire to return to the Home Insurance
Co., and it is only this considera-
ton which moves me to submit this
resignation.
i have greatly enjoyed working
for you and for the people of the
| District of Columbia Even after I
leave public Office, I shall always
retain a keen interest in public af-
fairs, and gladly assist whenever
my services might be considered of
value.
With deep appreciation of your
confidence, and many kindnesses, I
remain,
Respectfully yours,
GEORGE E. ALLEN"
The Presidents Reply.
In accepting the resignation, the
President wrote as follows in let
ter dated today:
dear George:
MY feelings are not different
than they were somewhat less than
two years ago when the urge to
return to private business prompted
you to tender your resignation as
a Commissioner of the District Of
Columbia. Although I can UNDER
stand your desire to return to pri-
vate business, 1 accepted your res
ignation with sincere regret.
Afterwards situation arose in
which I needed your active COOP
Grafton in plans involving reorgani-
zatlon of the government of the Dis
trlct of Columbia and our mutual
friend. Harold Smith, agreed--in
banking parlance-to a short term
loan
You have about completed the
work I had in mind and it remains
only for me again to assure you of
my appreciation of what you have
done and especially of the personal
sacrifice you made in order to return
to the service of the District gov
ernnent temporarily.
"As have no alternative, accept
your resignation rendered under date
of March 10 and effective April Is
next.
with all good wishes
Every sincerely yours,
"FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
From President to President.
| The Mr.. Smith referred to by the
President is the president of the
Home Insurance Co. When the Pres
ident wrote to him in 1888 asking
him for the short term loan" of
Mr. Allen, he said in that letter, 81
address you as one president to an
other
If District Building chatter during
recent months means anything, the
names of the following District
officials have been suggested as
possible successors of Mr.. Allen:
Richmond B. Keech, who has served
some years as vice chairman of the
lSee ALLEN Page Az