STATE WORK 



New York 



Commissioner Whipple Resigns 



The commissioners appointed by Gov- 

 ernor Hughes to investigate the Forest, 

 Fish and Game Commission of New York 

 have made their report. While recognizing 

 the value of much of the work done by Com- 

 missioner Whipple, they criticize severely 

 some of the methods of the office, particularly 

 of the legal department. As a result of 

 this, Commissioner Whipple submitted his 

 resignation to the Governor. This, and the 

 reply of the Governor^ follow : 



It is unfortunate that any questions of 

 this kind have arisen in connection with the 

 forestry work of New York, which has been 

 so creditable in many respects. Mr. Whip- 

 ple's service has been valuable not only in 

 his own state but through the example 

 which he has furnished for the forest work 

 of other states. 



October 3, 1910. 

 Hon. Charles E. Hughes, {jovernor, 

 Executive Chamber. 



Albany, N. Y. 



My dear Governor: 



I have read the report of the Commis- 

 sion appointed by you to investigate the 

 administration of the Forest, Fish and Game 

 Department. As a result of the criticisms 

 made of my department, I desire to tender 

 my resignation to take effect at once. 



This is not the time to discuss either 

 the facts or the conclusions set up in the 

 report, but I do emphatically deny the truth 

 of the facts stated and disagree from the 

 conclusions reached. I recognize, however, 

 that, as a result of this report, my useful- 

 ness to the State in this department has 

 been destroyed. 



I have held this position for six years. 

 I was not an applicant for the position. 

 I have come to appreciate the great impor- 

 tance of the work of this Department to the 

 people of the State. I have heard New 

 York State cited as an example in the con- 

 servation of its forests in many states of 

 the Union. The work of my Department 

 has increased many fold during my admin- 

 istration. It extends to all parts of the 

 State. The work of this Department has 

 extended along new lines, — some of it ex- 

 perimental. The field covered is so large 

 that much of it must be intrusted to sub- 

 ordinates. That a critical examination cov- 

 682 



ermg the six years of my administration 

 would disclose errors of judgment and mis- 

 takes made should be expected. I think a 

 similar examination would show errors and 

 mistakes in the management of any great 

 business organization of the country. I will 

 not attempt to offset these with the good 

 that has been accomplished during the same 

 time. I will only say that my conscience 

 acquits me on any intentional neglect or 

 dereliction of duty. I have given to the 

 work my entire time and my heart has been 

 in it. I have kept in touch with the friends 

 of conservation in the State. It is a thou- 

 sand times more important- that this great 

 work should go on and that it should not 

 become a subject of political contention than 

 that T should retain the office. 



For these reasons, to relieve you of any 

 embarrassment, and without solicitation on 

 the part of anyone, I respectfully tender my 

 resignation. 



Very truly yours. 



(Signed) J. S. Whipple. 



State of New York 

 Executive Chamber, Albany 



October 3, 1910. 

 Hon. James S. Whipple, 

 Albany, N. Y. 



Dear Sir : 



Your letter of this date resigning your 

 office as Forest, Fish and Game Commis- 

 sioner has been received. It is imposible 

 for me adequately to express the regret that 

 I feel at the conditions which the investi- 

 gation of your department has shown to 

 exist. 



Your work has been strongly commended 

 to me by those who are interested in the 

 protection of the forests and in the conserv- 

 ation of the State's interest in those im- 

 portant resources. You should have full 

 credit with respect to those matters in which 

 there has been increased efficiency; and I 

 desire to believe, and I accept your state- 

 ment, that you have not been guilty of 

 wrong intention. 



But the conditions which have been 

 shown to exist cannot be ignored and must 

 be immediately rectified. 



Your resignation is accepted and under 

 the statute took effect when it was received 

 and filed in this office. 



Very truly yours, 

 (Signed) Charles E. Hughes. 



