The Pensacola journal., 1906-09-09
BY George Robert Aenews.

0y ScOT9c A9nSWSs
That this is the era of the young men is
strikingly shown in national affairs,
where young men are steadily displacing
their elders In legislation and administra-
ton. This is most apparent at this time,
when the absence of Cabinet officials
leaves the task of active supervision of
the great departments to the assistant
secretaries. Most Of these are young men,
yet they take the helm with steadiness
and assurance, and during the present
summer have handled the mighty craft
intrusted to them with all the skill of
ancient marieners.
During Secretary Roots absence the
Department of State has been in charge
of Assistant Secretary Bacon, man still
in the ranks of youth, although not in
the vealy class. Mr.. Bacon is one of
President Roosevelt's queer finds. He
has had no diplomatic training whatever,
except such as might have been picked
up in the office Of ]. p. Morgan & Co., In
New York. He was a fnancier, pure and
simple, up to the time Of his retirement
from the Morgan firm. Just why he re-
tired Is his own secret-perhaps he had
made money enough, although that is not
common experience Of New York
money makers. At any rate, Mr.. Bacon
was living In dignified and luxurious ease
when President Roosevelt called upon
him to assist Secretary Root in handling
the foreign relations Of the United States.
Bacon Has Made Good.
Roosevelts luck was with him, as
usual. Ordinarily, the choice would have
been condemned as foolish, II not dis
astrous. There was some apprehension
when Mr.. Bacon's antecedants became
known. He was confirmed by the Sen
ate, however. without hesitation, and he
entered upon his duties under Secre-
tary Roots skillful tutelage. Within q
qew months the Secretary Of State was
perfectly convinced Of Mr.. Bacon's ability
to handle the department Mr.. Root
went to South America early in July, and
Mr.. Bacon has been looking after the
State Department ever since. During
this interval a few Japanese seal poach-
ers were killed in Alaskan waters, and
there was much anxiety as to the effect
this incident would have upon the rela-
tions Of Japan and the United States.
Mr.. Bacon was himself greatly worried.
inasmuch as he. was without experience
of his wise old colleague, Assistant Sec
retary Adee, he managed the situation
with skill, and the possibility of an awk-
ward clash with Japan was removed.
Truman III. Newberry. Assistant Secre-
tary of the Navy, is another young man
who was discovered by the president. He
is Detroit business man. He has man
! aged the Navy Department most of the
summer. while Secretary Bonaparte has
been lashing anarchists and otherwise
enjoying his vacation. Mr.. Newberry
is a rotund. jolly fellow, highly educated
with polished manners, but business to
the core. He looks upon the department
as a business institution, and expedites
its affairs as he would those OF a railroad
or a big department store. He plays no
favorites, and squelches all cliques. AS a
consequence, he is very popular among
navy officers, who know they are sure to
get a square deal from him. He is more
popular, in fact, than Secretary Bona
parte, who Is too much of q lawyer to
be q good executive.
Muks Cows In Vacation.
During Secretary Metcalf's absence the
Department Of Commerce and Labor has
been .'run" by Larry Murray. more
formally known as the Hon. Lawrence
o. Murray. Larry Is a broth of boy.
keen as trap. quiet, smiling, always on
deck, fertile In resource and prompt In
decision. He Is one Of the Presidents
favorites. and Is often seen playing a