THREE RESIGN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25211, 25 May 1945, Page 7

THREE RESIGN

AMERICAN CABINET IMPORTANT POSTS SUCCESSORS CHOSEN NEW DEAL SUPPORTERS (Reed 0.80 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 23 At his press conference today President Truman announced the resignations of the Attorney-Gen-eral, Mr Francis Biddle, the Secretary of Labour, Miss Franoes Perkins, the Seoretary of Agriculture, Mr Claude Wickard, and the War Food Administrator, Mr Marvin Jonee. Mr Biddle will be on June 30 by Mr Thomas Clark, at present Assistant Attorney-General, Miss Perkins by Judge Lewis Sch wellenbach. of the Federal Court, and Mr Wickaid by Mr Clinton Anderson, of the House of Representatives, who will also act as War Food Administrator. Mr Wlckard's New Post .ttr Wickard will become administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration. Mr Truman said he had not requested the resignations, but pointed out that all members of the Cabinet submitted their resignations when he became President on April 12. He added that he did not contemplate changes in the Department of State, and said he would not accept the resignation of Mr H. L. Morgenthau, Secretary of the Treasury.

Mr Truman released a letter which he had received from Mr Biddle dated May 21, saying: "The relation of the Attorney-General to the President is a particularly personal one and I think the time has come when you will wish to choose your own Attorney-General. 1 have nothing but admiration and praise for the courageous and wise manner in which you have undertaken your great responsibilities." Mr Truman said he had replied with an appreciation of Mr Riddle s services and had expressed the hope that be might have the privilege of consulting him in future whenever the occasion should arise. Congress HaiU Changes The Cabinet changes were applauded in Congress, says the New York Times Washington correspondent. The new Attorney-General is described as conservative and is supported by Senator Tom Connnlly (Democrat Texas). Judge Schwellenbach's appointment was made outside the ranks of labour, apparently in view of the division within the ranks of organised labour. Mr Williai Green, president of the American Federation of Labour, praised Mr Schwellenbach's selection. He added that labour sis a whole was believed to have endorsed him. The Herald-Tribune's Washington correspondent says that all three me are Democrats who ardently supported the late President Roosevelt's New Deal programme. All of them are Westerners. Tne consolidation of the War Pood Administration with the Department of Agriculture is regarded as the first major step to streamline the Administration and trim the departments created in the exigencies of the war . period.