The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-17
Oscar Straus Becomes Secretary
of Commerce and Labor.
MetcaIf Is Transferred to the
Head of the Navy.
BONAPARTE MOVES UP.
He Succeeds Moody as Attorney
General of e. s.
Best of Feeling Is Manifested on
All Sides.

Washington, Dec 17.-Oscar s.
Straus Of New York, today was induct-
ed into the office Of secretary of the
department of commerce and labor in
pursuance of the rearrangement of the
cabinet recently made by President
Roosevelt
The ceremony incident to the retire
ment of Secretary Metcalf, who has
been at the head of the department
since July 1, 1905, and the induction
into Office of Secretary Straus took
place shortly after o'clock this morn
ing in the secretary's offices at the de-
partment. The oath of Office was ad-
ninistered to Mr.. Straus by Frank H
Larned, chief clerk of the bureau of
immigration.
Secretary Metcalf. in relinquishing
the duties of the office, formally ex-
pressed to those about him his great
personal regret at the severance of
relations which always had been so
pleasant. He assured them, however,
that Mr.. Straus would maintain similar
cordial relations with the people Of the
department.
Secretary Straus in a brief address
expressed the desire to continue the
pleasant relations between Secretary
Metcalf and the officials of the depart
ment and said that it would be his
purpose so far as might be possible to
continue the policies of his predecessor.
He said he would take his cue from the
president. one feature of whose great
strength lies i'll the fact that he could
depend upon and enlist the hearty CO.
operation of those about him.
At the conclusion of the address
Secretary Straus and Secretary Metcalf
held an informal reception of the bu-
reau heads.
Theodore Derived. one of the clerks
of the, department, has been selected
by Secretary Straus to be his private
secretary. Leon A. Clark, who has
been private secretary to Secretary
Metcalf will continue with Mr.. Met
calf in a like character in the navy
department.
Secretary Metcalf arrived at the
navy department with Secretary Bona
parte at 10:15 The oaths of Office
were administered by Solicitor Hannah
of the navy department in the pres
ence of Assistant Secretary New berry,
Rear Admiral Rixey. surgeon general
of the navy: Assistant Secretary Muir
ray of the department of commerce
and labor. and the bureau chiefs of that
department, who went to the navy de-
partment IN a body after Mr. Straus
had been inducted into office
Secretary Bonaparte in a brief ad-
dress congratulated the new secretary
upon the compliment implied upon his
character by his appointments to the
office of secretary of the navy. No
once, ne SAID GAlSlS OIL SI0dtSl AHO-
ment to the honor, the vital interest
and even the natural life of our COM
mon country.
Secretary Metcalf briefly responded,
declaring that he always had taken an
interest in the American navy His
first assignment as member OF the
house of representatives, he said, was
to the naval committee, and that in
terest became intensified. The secre-
tary then received the officers and en-
ployes of the navy department..
at II O'Clock Charles ]. Bonaparte
the retiring secretary of the navy. took
the prescribed oath as attorney general
and entered upon his new duties. The
obligation was administered by Mr
Sornbcrg, the appointment clerk in the
department of Justice, in the presence
of Mr.. Ronaparte's predecessor, VIII
liam H Moody. he assistant attorneys
general, the solicitor general and the
other principal officers of the depart
nent of justice. Mr.. Moody was the
first to offer congratulations. Mr.
Bonaparte declared he would be guided
in the performance of his duties by the
example and counsel of his predeces-
SOr