The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-12
TREASURY JOBS AS STEPPING
STONES FOR THE AMBITIOUS

he usually wanted his messenger to an
swer quickly.
The most responsible work he had TO
do in those days was to change the ink
in his well. and keep him supplied with
blOtters. This was eighteen years ago.
One day Commissioner Chesley was
walking by Allies desk when he saw him
struggling with a great calf bound vol
ume. Chesley leaned over the young
fellows shoulder and said:
Blackstone. Ell? Well. stick to It, my
boy. and you won't be a messenger very
long"
Allies did stick to II and Chesley dis
covered that he was attending the night
sessions OF the National University. Tho
Commissioner saw that his messenger
had seat inside his office and more OPP
portunity 10 study his Blackstone. The
messenger took the civil service and wns
assigned to a place at $1,000 a year.
While occupied with his new duties he
took the examination for law clerk and
successfully passed It. He received an
appointment at 81 800 a year.
Tho stories Of how the young man in
dustrious advanced are legion, but mono
is more interesting than that of how
Allies entered the office of the Secre-
tary of the Treasury. He was known to
be the first man at his desk OF morn
ing and the last TO leave it. Late one
afternoon. when almost every Office had
been emptied and the long-nagged cor
ridors were deserted. a message came to
the Office of Assistant Secretary OF the
Treasury Scott Wike. It announced the
arrival of a shirload of Japanese immi-
grants, and the conditions under which
they came were such as TO demand i'm
mediate attention.
There was a scurrying about the office
to find some one to advise with Secre-
tary Wike. Allies was found at his desk
completing the details of his days work
He was hurried to the office OF the AS
sistant Secretary and the telegram laid
before him. without hesitation Allies
told Wike what was customary, what
was the law, and what was in accord
ance with the Treasury regulations.
Secretary Wike needed just such
man as this about him Allies suited
him to perfection and was taken into
the office as private secretary.
When Secretary Gage found himself
without private secretary he wanted a
man who knew the department, every
division and bureau in It: a man who
held his position on merit; a man who
had a record without blemish. When
he asked the heads of the different
bureaus who had these qualifications
they declared without a moments hest
tation, allies" Rapidly following his
appointment TO be private secretary 20
Gage came the resignation OF Frank
Vanderlip from the position of Assist
ant Secretary of the Treasury. Allies
was given the position by Secretary
Gage. and. had he wished. he might have
retained the post to this day.
But his career had attracted the at
tention of certain New York flnanciers,
and when they acquired Riggs Bank
Allies was chosen as their representative
Vanderlip's rise IN the Treasury De-
partment was almost as swift and brill
liant as that of Allies. He sold papers
and attended school at odd times in his
native town Of Aurora, Ill. When old
enough he obtained employment in
railroad shop and seemed TO gain health
and increased strength from the din and
unhealthy heated air of the workshop.
Finally he went TO Chicago and became
the financial editor of a great Chicago
daily. When Mr.. Gage cast about for a
private secretary Vanderbilt was sug-
gested for the post. He proved a man
OF such executive ability and capacity
for desk work that he was rapidly ad-
vanced to the position of Assistant Sec
rotary Of the Treasury. Thence his rise
to the position he now holds as the vice
president OF a New York bank was al
most equally quick.