New-York tribune., 1906-05-13
GARFIELD,S HABITS.
DeUoted to Work, but Finds Time
for Recreation.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau ]

oficeholder i'm Washington. True he laughs
and smiles much any man, but he goes at
the problems of life more earnestly than most
public and pitches into his work with so
much vim that many of his acquaintances have
adopted the belief that the Commissioner will
not and can not joke. The fact that he carries
one two books under his arm to and from his
office adds to the dignity of his men in the eyes
Of some and the Out-Of-date bicycle he rides
and the manner in which he strides the steel
steed lends further appearance of stiffness to
his personality. Garfeld's bicycle was probably
built four five years ago, and he rides with
the handle bars high up and his back as vertical
the Washington Monument. He was never
known to 'scorch," and probably could not if he
wanted to- on account of his position on the
wheel. When he glides sedately from place to
place the guides of the capital have ample time |
to point him out and expatiate on his CLOSE
to the President" for the benefit of eager
tourist ears before he passes by.
1t is said that not long ago a wealthy man,
who is greatly interested in automobiles and |
owns number of fine cars, asked Mr. Garfield |
If he would not try of his latest acquisitions
Il want you to take that machine and ride it
around for a while just to test it's merits
haven't time to attend to the matter myself and
you may consider the chauffeur and machine
yours just as long you to bother with
them. l have promised the manufactures of the
car that would give him my opinion of GER
tain improvements that he has just installed
and as I'd rather have your judgment on the
matter than my own, you will be doing me
real favor if you will take it and use it"
Il much prefer to ride my bicycle" repliad
Mr.. Garfield, that gives me the exercise need
when 1 do not have time to walk"
The exercise that Mr. Garfield likes most is
tennis. He can be found two or three after
moons week hard at the game either on the
White House court a lawn in the north
western part Of town, and those who have occa-
sion to try conclusions with him declare him |
first class player. President Roosevelt likes him
either as a partner an opponent at tennis /
and they often discuss the most important mat
ters relating to the business of the bureau
which Mr.. Garfield has managed with so much
success since its foundation as a branch of the
Department of Commerce and Labor. AS sew
eral other bureau chiefs and high officials of the
department are also devOtees of the same game
THE Tennis Club" as it is called wields a great
deal of influence in national affairs Lawrence
o. Murray, the Assistant Secretary of the De-
paTtment of Commerce and Labor, and Herbert
Knox Smith. Deputy Commissioner OF CORPORA
tOns under Mr.. Garfield, are the other tennis
experts Of the department Dividing honors
with these ought to be mentioned Clifford Pin
chOt. chief of the Bureau of Forestry and Alfred
w. Cooley, Civil Service Commissioner who are
frequently seen in tournaments at the White
House. Once in a while the President and his
friends hoist the balls high over the great green
screen which has been erected for the purpose
of hiding the players from the gaze of curiosity
seekers. Sometimes the balls fall into the White
House yard, and sometimes out in the street
which separates the White House grounds from
the War, State and Navy Building One day Mr.
Garfield lifted ball into the yard right on
young Cuentins head. The little fellow laugh
lngly brought it into the tennis court and asked
II there was any reward offered for it's return.
THAT was one of the shots that hit and the
Shots that count which your father so often
talks about" observed Mr. Garfield
You'll never know what the strenuous life |
really is until you familiar with Mr. Car
fields play" retOrted the President
AT home Mr.. Garfield frequently Dlavs basebou
with bis boys, and recently Mrs Garfield has /
become most enthusiastic advocate of the /
game. Both Mr.. and Mrs Garfield devote n |
great deal of attention to the athletic training
Of their children, and enter with them into au /
thelr outdoor spotrs. They frequently take eight
and ten mile walks in the afternoon and v,bor /
they reach hone they as fresh and buovant !
as though they had been only around the block 4
Commissioner Garfield comes honestly, h,, bis |
love for athletics for his father the late T,resi
dent Garfield, quicker on his feet and os