Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-06-06

connected with the treasury is enormous.
1t embraces the whole country, and with
giant hands reaches even across the oceans.
and puts its fingers even into the vaults Of
foreign nations. The work of this office in
the past has been so great that many
famous men who have tried to cope with 1t
have staggered at the start. struggled un-
der the load and fallen dead in the attempt.
You know how the pearls of sweat ran
down Carlisle's somber, sallow face, and
how the bankers of Wall street and Lon
don had to be called in to help him bear up
under II. You remember how Secretary
Folger, in Arthur's time. tried TO spread
himself out under the treasury load, so
that every bit of it might be supported
upon his back, and how it crushed him.
Then Daniel Manning, in the prime of his
manhood, took up the burden. and had his
life squeezed out by it. hen Secretary
WINDOW the task, only to drop
dead in the midst of his labors, and now,
when the duties Of the situation are even
greater than before, and the load, if any
thing, heavier than ever, we have a man
who appears to be carrying il with ease.
Why Is it that a business which proves tho
death of so many is so easily carried on by
some? 1t lies in the nature of the men,
their abilities and their experience.
Forty Yenrs n Banker.
Secretary Gage, for instance, is a born
banker. and his life has been spent in
handling money. Let me give you his BIZ
ography in a nutshell.
Born in New York about sixty-one years
ago during the last days OF President Jack
sui. bEklhlAAAk Ills NE DIS ii MESSENGER III
a bank when he was is years old at s. a
month. At % night Waterman in a lumber
yard OF Chicago, hunting in vain for an
keeper in the Merchants Saving and Loan
Company, of Chicago, at 500 a year. A
few months later paying teller in the same
institution at $1,000 a year, and at % the
cashier, with a salary of 5000. A little
later on we find him cashier of the First
National bank of Chicago, then its vice
president and general manager, and finally
some years since succeeding to its presi-
dency at a salary of $4,000 n year. He left
the presidency 10 be secretary Of the treas
ury. There is the story. For forty years
he has been a banker. For thirty years he
has been handling large sums Of money,
and for more than a score, millions have
been constantly under his eyes, His work
In the United States treasury is not new
TO him. and as far as | can sac II seems to
be easy. When 1 called upon him to-day
IL was at the close of business hours. He
from his morning bath. His eyes of that
clear pale blue found upon fine old china
were free from worry, and although their
owner Is past three score 1 saw but little
sign of crows feet at their corners
A Chat With Mr.. Gage.
I said to Mr.. Gage that he did not look
like an overworked. or overworried man.
He replied that he did not feel so, and my
question as TO whether it was a hard job
20 be secretary of the treasury naturally
followed. To this the secretary replied:
i know that this office is generally con-
sidered a very difficult one and that IL Is
said to have been the death OF former sec
retaries. The treasury department is a
great machine. 1t is well built. and 1t is
now In good running order. The wheels
seem to fit perfectly one into the other.
The parts are good. and the machinery is
well oiled. 1t has been running for years.
and II seems TO me to work very smoothly
and we'll"
How about the safety valves, Mr.. Sec
retary?' said ]. Are there enough of
them to prevent loss or to avoid the danger
of wrecking the Institution"
Yes" replied Secretary Gage, 1.-THE
treasury has its checks and safety guards
everywhere. These are well arranged and
effective. though TO a practical business
man II may sometimes seem that there are
too many of them"
Uncle Sans Big Cash Account.
How much money have you on hand
now. Mr.. Gage?"
Here is to-day's statement" said the
secretary of the treasury, as he picked up
a sheet Of figures and looked IT over. I'VE
have In round numbers more than SOS. OOO,-
600 on hand, or setting aside 500. 900. 900 as
n gold reserve, We nave "A cash balance of
S12S.00.00. The fact Is. that we have S45.-
100000 IN gold. S25.0O0.0 900 in silver certificates
and little more than $33.O00,00 In treasury
notes"
"Can you tell. Mr.. Secretary. Just now
much money you take in every day?'
Certainly we cam was the reply. w
know 70 q cent Just b we are spending