William G. McAdoo to Woodrow Wilson

.PERSONAL.

I am really deeply distressed about the attitude of the Attorney General concerning the Secret Service. I have refrained from troubling you with a large amount of detail which would, I know, convince you that the attitude of the Secret Service of this Department has been generally scrupulously correct and that it has not intentionally encroached upon any other jurisdiction, nor does jealousy play the least part in its work. We have been eager only to help, and I believe that the Secretary of State, Colonel House and others will bear me out in the claim that some of the most important services rendered since the war broke out have been by the Secret Service.

I should like you to know how anxious I am to relieve all friction, and especially to spare you annoyance or trouble in this and every other direction. If you prefer to have me withdraw the Secret Service altogether from the work it is now doing for the State Department, the Food Commission, and the War Trade Board, I shall be glad to do so, although I believe that it would be very hurtful to the public interest. If, on the other hand, you would like me to try to devise some plan for getting a more effective cooperation between the various services, I shall be glad to undertake that. What I should like you to understand is that I shall be most happy to accept whatever decision you may make in the matter.