The record-union., 1899-08-02
Elihu Root Assumes the Office
Formerly Held by AIgeI.
The Oath Administered by Judge Cole Of
District Of Columbia Court.
A1ger's Last Act as the War Secre-
tary the Signing Of a Requisi-
ton for the Allotment OF
Twenty Thousand Dollars for
Transports.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-Elihu Root
took the oath of office as Secretary Of
War at 1915 a. m. to-day. The cere-
mony occurred in the large office OF
the Secretary of War in the presence
of Secretaries Gage and Hitchcock, AS
sistant Secretary Meiklejohn, a large
number of army officers in uniform and
other employees and officials. The oath
was administered by Judge Cole of the
Supreme Court of the District of Co
lumbia.
Secretary Alger arrived at the War
Department at 1910, accompanied by
Mr. Root, for whom he had called in
his carriage. They went Immediately
to the Secretary's private office, where
We're Secretaries Gage and Hitchcock
and We're soon joined by Adjutant Cen
eral Corbin and Major Hopkins, the
latter being the military secretary OF
Secretary Alger. A moment later AS
sistant Secretary Meiklejohn and Judge
Cole entered and were formally pre-
sented to the new Secretary. The lat
ter's commission, bearing date to-day,
was in possession of Adjutant General
Corbin.
By this time a number of army Off
GERS had gathered in the main Office
and Mr.. Root and Secretary Alger
and other members of the party had
entered the room 1t was 1913 when
Mr.. Root stood up and took the oath
of office. Judge Cole then addressed
him as Mr.. Secretary, and shook
hands and congratulated him.. Cen
eral Alger next advanced and shook his
hand most cordially, saying with evil
dent feeling:
with all my heart I congratulate
you and the Administration. You Will
find around you here men who viii
help in the arduous duties of your po-
sition. May God bless you, and give
you strength
Secretary Gage then stepped forward
and congratulated Secretary Root. He
was followed by Secretary Hitchcock,
Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn. Adju-
tant General Corbin and Chief Clerk
Schofied.
General Alger picked up the commits
sion signed by the President and at
tested by the Secretary of State. APP
pointing Mr.. Root Secretary of War.
Here is your commission" he said
with a smile. handing it. to Mr.. Root.
'in which you lose your identity ana
become Mr. Secretary l go back to
become a sovereign citizen of the
United States and become Mr.. Alger. y
II sincerely wish it We're the other
way" said Mr. Root, as he accepted
the parchment.
Then the officers We're presented to
Secretary Root by Victor L. Mason
the confidential secretary of the Sec
rotary of War. AS soon as they were
introduced they passed on and shook
hands with General Alger Nearly all
stopped to express their regrets upon
his retirement and wish him success IN
the future They also thanked him
for his consideration and many acts
of kindness and for his uniform cour-
tesy during the time they had peeh
associated with him.
General Miles appeared with his stall
in the full dress uniform of the Major
General commanding the army He
stopped to talk with Secretary Root for
some time longer than any of the
others.
Following. the presentation of the
officers, the civilian officials and clerks
of the department came in and shook
hands with Secretary Root and saio
farewell to the retiring Secretary.
Secretary Gage before leaving the
room went up to General Alger. shook
him cordially by the hand. bidding
him good-by General Alger left at
12:45 O'Clock to-day for his home in
Detroit.
The last official act of Secretary Al
ger was to sign a requisition for the al
lotment of 500 600 for transports. Sec
rotary Alger intended that his last act
should be the signing of the order de-
recting Major Charles Bird Assistant
Ouartermaster. to accompany the
transport Thomas to Manila when she
was ready. He signed such an order,
but the other business was presenter
a few minutes later.
Secretary Root did not perform any
official business to-day. AS General
Aleer is Secretary and draws the sal
ary for to-day. it was thought best to
avoid any legal complications by hav-
ing the business of the department
performed by Mr.. Meiklejohn as AS