Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-12-30
Iowa Man rendered Position Of Second As
sistant Secretary of Treasury.
HERMANN STEPS OUT OF LAND OFFICE
william A. Richards of wyoming
Looked Upon as Likely TO Sue
ceed to the Position Made
Vacant.
From a stan Correspondent)

in the air to follow. General o. L. Spauld-
ing Of Michigan, who has held the position
Of second assistant secretary Of the treas
ury for a number OF years, has resigned
and, 1t is understood, will be succeeded by
Robert S. Armstrong, private secretary OF
Secretary Shaw. It has been known for
some time that General Spaulding would
retire. In fact he presented his resignation
to Secretary Gage before the appointment
OF Governor Shaw to his present position
Owing, however, TO his knowledge Of Gus
toms and tariff matters, which fell to his
Office, he was prevailed upon to withhold
his resignation until such time as the SER
vice would permit Of his withdrawal There
is no desk In the Treasury department
which receives more intricate questions for
decision than that Of the second assistant
secretary of the treasury.
Since last July Secretary Shaw has been
looking around for someone to take Cen
eral Spaulding's place. few days ago he
looked over to his private secretary and
said:
Bob guess you will have to 60 on that
assistant secretarys desk"
TITS a pretty hard job for a young fell
low" replied Mr.. Armstrong.
We'll, l did not expect that you were
especially trained in matters that the desk
will have to handle" replied the secretary,
but guess you will have to learn, the same
as the rest of US" and the matter of the
succession to General spaulding was set
tied, after the president told Secretary
Shaw that he could do as he saw 1T
Mr.. Armstrong is q years OF age. He
was born in Iowa. but went to Chicago in
1895. where he began work on the Record.
In 1898 he went to New York as eastern
representative of that paper. When Sec
retary Shaw was appointed to his present
position he offered the position Of private
secretary to Mr.. Armstrong, which was ac-
cepted, and he has filled it ever since.
Hermann and Hitchcock Clash.
But this change is by no means as vital
to the interests OF the west as the resig-
nation OF Binger Hermann as commissioner
or the general land ONCE, to take effect
February 1. For a long time there has
been friction between Mr. Hermann and
the secretary of the interior, largely grow
ing out OF differences OF opinion as to the
proper policy to be pursued regarding for
estry and other important branches of the
Interior department service. The climax,
however. was reached Just before the con-
vening OF the present congress and an
open breach resulted Two -weexs ako
for his resignation, which was presented
at once. Mr.. Hermann said tonight:
81 have intended withdrawing from my
present position for over a year. In fact
l stated to President Mckinley some time
before his death that l wished to resign
but he asked me to remain until another
place which might suit me could be pro-
yided. AS the present year is drawing to
close, decided to tender my resignation
to the president, so my successor could be
appointed and confirmed before the close Of
the present session OF congress. l have
held the place over six years, my term OF
office exceeding that of any of my predeces-
sors with two exceptions"
Coupled with the announcement Of Mr.
Hermann's resignation Washington papers
publish the fact that two clerks Of his
department are under investigation for ir-
regulsrities. Mr.. Hermann states that the
troubles OF these clerks are not in any
way connected with his resignation or the
administration OF his office.
These officials are Harry King, chief, ard
Fred p. MetEger, assistant chief of the
draughtsman's division OF the government
land ONCE. The former is charged with
neglect OF duty and the latter with misman-
agement and unsatisfactory administration
OF his duties. They have until tomorrow
to submit their answer to the charges
Mr.. Metzger was formerly from Kansas
and was once chief clerk OF the general
land ONCE.
Richards Slated for Place.
1t is believed here that William A Rich
ards. assistant commissioner OF the general
land ofiice. will be appointed Hermann's S
successor. Richards, who was surveyor
to the present governor. has held the as
sistant commissionership for four years
succeeding Congressman Frank W. Mon
dell. His conduct OF the once has been
exceptionally good. having during his term
Of once inauguarted reforms which have
brought him praise from all over the
country.
Governor Richards knows the west and
fits needs, and his appointment TO the post
tion will be welcomed not only by the
west, but by those who have business with
the general land ONCE.
Misses Ida and Gertrude Riner, daugh-
ters OF Judge Rirer Of Cheyenne, are
spending the holidays in Washington with
the family Of Senator Clark Of Wyoming
Horse Breeders Organize.
Horse breeders Of the middle west, par
ticularly in Iowa and Nebraska. have for
some years found that they are handi-
capped because OF lack Of organization.
Some six years ago IL became 80 very IN
profitable to raise blooded stock that horse
breeders practically went out OF business
and allowed the organization which then
existed 10 lapse until the herd book" on
which the breeder depends for reliable in
formation as 10 various strains OF horse
flesh. has fallen into the Lands OF one mar.
the secretary OF the former organization.
The new organization recently perfected
will be known as The Association OF Breed
ers OF American Percherons and has se-
lected as its resident n. C. MeMiIlan Of
Cedar Rapids, Ia. Il has prepared a herd
book which has been accepted BY secre-
tary Wilson as authority IN the matter OF
pedigrees. and Secretary shaw will recog-
niEe the book OF this organization Ia fnrInu-
! lating regulations relative 20 imports Of
/ horses for breeding purposes
Secretary Wilson said today that recently
great impetus had been giyen breeders oi
blooded horses In the northwest. attrib-
uted mainly 10 the uniform prosperity Of
the country. Another consideration 20 b
taken into account a. haylnE caused a boom
in horse nesh Is that a grtat number Of
American horses and mules ssro export a
duriug the Boer var The sturdy Amer
ican horse. used 20 largely b. ths Enslish
l lcoaslnGsd 0a sssoad PAssl