Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-22

ter, and in various other ways has de-
veloped irrigation facilities.
In addition to his duties Soverno- he
performs those of president of the Banco
Minero in the city of Chihuahua, in which
he resides. and of the Banco Central
MeXicano, in Mexico City Both of these
banks We're organized by Mr.. Creel and
are among the largest financial institu-
lions in the republic. A Mexican Who's
Who" would show that Mr.. Creel has
part in the management of the affairs of
nearly every railroad, bank and industrial
corporation in the republic.
Best Known as a Financier
Ably as he has discharged his duties rs
governor of the state of Chihuahua. It is
as a financier that Mr.. CreeI is best
known in Mexico, in the United States and
in other countries. The organization of the
Banco Central MeXcano was sufficient to
entitle him to high place as a financier.
This bank is sort of clearing house tor all
the local banks in republic.
In the fall of 1902. wnen it was decided
that the time had come for the Mexican
government to consider a modification of
its monetary system. Mr. Creel prepared
and published a pamphlet in which he de-
clared that Mexico should adopt the gold
standard. Through the dissemination of a
synopsis of that pamphlet in the United
States it first became generally known
here that the Mexican government was
seriously considering this highly important
question.
In due time President Diaz appointed
commission to come to the United States
and discuss the matter with our leading
financiers and with President Roosevelt
and his councillors with a view to OBJ
tanning the cooperation of this government
in the undertaking. President Roosevelt
sent a special message to Congress which
embodied ali that the members of the Ir.eXi-
can commission desired.
A few months later President Diaz, ir
,it,na d
pointed an internationa commission to
visit European countries having silver
using colonies and to study with their
leading fnanciers the monetary question
and to get If possible the cooperation
of those governments in general move
ment in the silver-using and producing
countries of the world for the esta blish-
ment of the gold standard. Mr. Creel was
appointed chairman of the Mexican rep.
resentation on the international commits
sion. Several months were spent abroad
by the body. and it's efforts were crowned
with practically universal success.
A Humble Beginning.
The beginning of Mr. Creels career was
as humble it has been distinguished
for some years back. He was born August
81, 1854, in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico.
His father was the late Ruben w. Creel
who was merchant. a man of liberal edu-
cation and highly regarded for his hon
esty. Mr.. Creels mother was Miss Pax
Guilty. She was niece Of the historian
Carlos Maria Bustamente Of Oaxaca.
Upon the death of the elder Creel his
family was left destitute The responsible
ity and future hope of the family was at
once centered on Enrique. who, although
very young and without any means other
than the adaptability he had shown for
business, willingly accepted the charge.
During the day this young man devoted
his time to his small mercantile pursuits
and in the evening taught school which
he himself established. oven then evincing
a keen interest in educational matters, for
the furtherance of which he has done much
as governor of the state in the capital of
which he had such a humble beginning
For several years young Creel worked dill
gently during the day and until late at
night. The people of the city of Chihuahua
Were surprised at his tenacity of purpose
his love for study and his capacity for
work. Step by step he advanced his repu-
tation in the business world, and gained
the esteem of his countrymen
Mr.. Creel has been one OF the most inter-
esting figures in the political, business and
social progress of the state of Chihuahua
In addition to organizing the Banco Minero
in the city of Chihuahua, he has organized
telephone companies in that state and also
in Durango. His name appears likewise as
one of the organizers of the Mexican Iron
| and Steel Company, the Mexican Life In
surance Company and several other pros
porous industrial corporations.
A Trained Newspaper Man.
His broad mindedness and patriotism have
carried him successfully through all the po-
litical campaigns in which he has taken
part and he has always defended his ideas
and the principles of his political party with
| his personal services during the campaign.
| Mr.. Creel is withal trained newspa per
! man, having at one time been the editor of
| five of the leading newspapers of the state
| of Chihuahua.
The new Mexican ambassador speaks sew
eral languages fiuently and is a student OF
affairs. He has a remarkable memory for
statistics. In the course of an interview