Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-26
THE NEW SECRETARY IN OFFICE.
Mr.. Foster Goes TO the Treasury and Mssts
the OfIiciais.
SWORN IN AT TIE WHITE Housr LAST NroEr-
HIS APPEARANCE AT THK DEPARTMENT roDAY-
GEN. NKrTLEros STILL ACTING sEcRrrAKY-
FEW CHANGES ExPEcrEp

-Four weeks ago today Secretary William
Window died in New York Of heart disease. To-
day his successor, ex-Gov. Charles Foster Of
Ohio, took his seat AZ the head Of the Treasury
Department and began his service by making
the acquaintance of his chief assistants.
He reached the city last night between 8 and
3 O'Clock and drove at once 10 the Riggs
House. In . few minutes he went over 10 the
White House. where, in the presence Of the
President Mrs. Harrison and Mr. Halford, he
took the oath Of Office, administered by Col
Crook.
AT THE DEPARTMENT.
he went to the department quite early this
morning and had . long chat with Gen.
Nettleton, the acting secretary, in re-
gard to matters of financial admin
istratiou. Word was sent quietly around
to the bureau chiefs that il would be a good
plan for them to drop in one at q time to see
the new Secretary, who would devote two hours
to this duty of making their acquaintance.
The Secretary thus saw his co-workers and
cnatted a few minutes with each one. He
avoided a general reception because he realized
that he could learn nothing of the men from q
long procession Of hand shaking automatons-
BY means Of his three or four minutes of
conversation he managed to get each one liked
firmly in his mind, and thus he begins his
career with very fair acquaintance with the
folks with whom he will be thrown in contact.
His private secretary, Mr.. Kendley, steered
the incomers up TO the desk and performed
the introductions. The Secretary told each
officer as he shook his hand that il was not
his intention to talk finance or administrative
policies with them at that time SO he told them
stories Instead, drawing them out and making
them laugh and feel quite at home.
WANTS TO MAKE A SQUARE START
To a STAR reporter, who gained his ear for
about sixty seconds, he said that he ap-
preciated the value of square start with the
press and he would see to it that the newspaper
men should have no cause to make
unfavorable comparisons on the ground that
they did not have the fullest facilities for get
ting legitimate news. just as the reporter was
about TO ask him a leading question old
friend entered and caught his eve, so that the
STAR man was out of the field OF vision.
BETTER THAN HIS PICTURES.
The new Secretary is not quite like the pic
lures that have lately been printed of him. His
face is fuller and more good humored. his eye
has the snap of a man of quick in
tellect. his beard only half shades q
sensitive, nervous mouth, and his hand, which
no picture can portray, has warrath of CLASP
that makes his new acquaintance a friend al
once. He has an easy, conversational style OF
talking and his manner is that Of an attractive
man Of the world, rather than that of a re-
served observer of things round about hum.
HIS PLANS NOT SETTLED.
He will stop at the hotel for the present, and
may not take a house for some time. He is un-
decided today as to whether he will 60 at once
home to Ohio to arrange his private affairs or
remain here until Congress has adjourned
Gen. Nettleton il still acting Secretary in
order to enable his chief 10 get thoroughly in
harness.
FEW CHANGES EXPECTED.
It is being generally accepted that the new
Secretary viii make few, if any. changes in the
personnel Of the department. He is under.
stood to be quite in accord with the IDEAS tina,
prevail at present and we'll satisfied with the
men whom he finds in the subordinate offices.
There may be a change here and there, but the
great bulk of the officials will remain.
NEW ASSISTANT SECRETARY.
The appointment of a new assistant secretary
to fill the long-standing vacancy is expected in
a few days. Ex-Assistant Secretary Coon Of
New York has been prominently mentioned in
this connection, but only vaguely, and no one
can tell just who will get the plum.
THE sEcRETARY's BIRTHDAY.
As further coincidence of the day beyond
that of Secretary WINDOWS death four week.
ago the Secretary mentioned this morning tina,
today is his siKty-second birthday.