a I ELLERY ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF HIS ARCHITECT W. D. Coates Quits $4,800 Position Because of Trouble With Engineer W. D. Coates, State Architect, upon the arrival State Engineer Nat Ellery from the south yesterday afternoon, presented his resignation to Ellery--upon request, it is said. It was accepted on the spot and now the State Engineering Department is without a State Architect. Coates presented the resignation to take effect on May 10th --the day it was presented--and Ellery lost no time in writing across the sheet, "Accepted." Coates' resignation ends the differtences between the head of the State Engineering Department and the State Architect. For months past as related in The Bee Tuesday there has been friction between the State En• gineer and his subordinate, and this friction became so heated that it was a case of "resign or be fired," so the architect "beat the engineer to it." Not Polities, Says Ellery. Seen to-day State Engineer Ellery declared that politics had nothing whatever to do with Coates' resigna• tion, nothing whatever to do with what differences they might have had Further than saying that the resignation had been presented and accepted, Ellery would not go. But in the Capitol corridors--those corridors are and have always been the heart of the political war zonea different explanation is being dispensed. Polities plays a great partin the corridors -in everything done concerning the office plums, such as State Architect at $4,800 per year. It is said that during the primary campaign, Coates did not get out and sing Ellery hosannahs and that Ellery has never forgiven him. Frequent Clashes. That there have been clashes between the chief and the architect none has denied. There has been a big breech between the officials and that breech widened constantly until Coates fell into it with his resignation. Ellery announced that he has no plans for the appointment of a successor to Coates. "We are doing the work without a State Architect at present," said Ellery, "and SO long as we are able to do so there is no need of appointing a man for the place. No, I do not think I will name his suc- cessor." Ellery's Term Expires. Ellery's term as State Engineer ex• pired to-day, he having served the four years to which he was appointed by former Governor Gillett. As announced in The Bee several days ago it is thought that he will remain in the office until the new State highway act, known as the Chandler bill, goes into effect next month, when the Governor will appoint a State Highway Engineer and a State Engineer, together with other important officers of the departments. WIll Remain at Post. According to rumor Ellery will be succeeded by some engineer of Gov. ernor Johnson's choice. Ellery said today he would remain at his post and conduct the business of the department in the Interest of the State until his successor is named and has qualified. Ag is natural in such cases, the en• tire office force, consisting of en• gineers, architects, draughtsmen, ex• perts in several lines, clerks, book• keepers and stenographers are on the anxious seat. Things are quiet in the State Engineering Department, and as one attache -day: "It is the lull before the cyclone."