The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-20
I YOUNG MANS ADMINISTRATION
Our Youthful President Is Gathering About Him Of ve
Young Men Who Seem in No Way Lacking in Administrative
Abilty-How They Have Worked Up From the Bottom

sistant secretary to the president at a less
salary, is likewise young man and one
who, prior to the dawn Of the present mil
lenn1um for the young man in official life,
was merely clerk in the office where he
Is now an important factor.
The young man has even invaded the
sacred precincts Of that citadel Of dignity
and conservatism and experience. the
state department. Francis B. Loomis,
who has Jest been elevated to the impor-
tant post of first assistant secretary of
state, was, when William Mckinley was a
candidate for the presidency, working
newspaper man. However, the qualities
which made him a good reporter stood him
in good stead when his friend, the late
president, opened to him a gateway to the
consular and diplomatic service. He adj
vanced rapidly and won his spurs" most
which he upheld American interests in
Venezuela during a trying period when
the government and public sentiment at
Caracas were far less favorable to the
United States than at present.
Finally, in the treasury department we
find young men the most conspicuous
figures just at present. Milton e. Ailes
who, absolutely unknown to the financial
world. stepped almost from clerkship to
the important position of assistant sec
rotary of the treasury upon the retirement
of Frank A. Vanderlip, has far sup
u,
that hattering offer has come to him
to leave public life for the more profitable
| banking field. flnanciers in all parts of
| the country are, virtually in chorus, urg-
| ing him to remain.
However, the most prominent place in
the public eye is occupied by the yet
younger man, Robert B. Armstrong, who
has just been made assistant secretary
and whose jurisdiction covers that impor-
tant branch Of governmental activities
| the customs service. Mr.. Arms trong is
just 80 years of age, and it was less than
a decade ago that he, green country
boy, entered newspaper office in small
town in Iowa, and, working as printer S
devil" started upon the career which led
him eventually to high place in metro
pOlitan journalism then to the berth of
secretary to the secretary Of the treasury
and finally to his present enviable posi-
ton.
There are many notable circumstances
| connected with the rise of these young
men, who have lately come into the sphere
of public life-aside from the marvel of
their youth. For one thing, almost all OF
them have worked their way up from the
ranks, starting as stenographers or gov
eminent clerks and plodding along without
the pull supposed to be Indispensable to
advancement at the national capital. Not
only have they, by their advancement
shattered the old theory regarding the ne
cessity Of influence, but also they are going
to disllusion that portion of the public
which has long been wont to believe that
no man can accept high position under
| the government unless he be independent
ly rich and thus able to meet excessive
social requirements in Washington. Few
Of these new appointees have private in
comes; they are in most instances depend
ent solely on their salaries from the gov
ernment-which In no case, save that OF
Secretary Cortelyou, exceed Sc, 900 a veal
and yet they appear to be dischargine
their social obligations to the entire sat
isfaction of themselves and of everybody
concerned. ',. r. ... III