The Pensacola journal., 1906-09-09
Began as a Waterman.

A notable example of pluck and energy
crowned with success is furnished by
George F. Pollock, assistant commission
er OF the General Land Office, and one of
the best young executives In the govern
ment. A few years ago he was q night
watchman at the Capitol grounds. He
had grown to manhood in poverty and
was handicapped by lack Of education.
He studied nights, and took a civil SER
vice examination. This brought him an
appointment in the War Department at
$1,000 year when he was twenty-five
years old. He worked hard, was pro-
NOTED, and finally transferred to the In
terror Department, where he was made
assistant attorney, having been admitted
to the bar as the result of assiduous night
study. Then he was made chief of the
special service division in the General
Land office, having charge of seventy five
special agents engaged in the detection
of land frauds. 1t was largely through
Mr.. Pollock's good work that the recent
gigantic frauds in the West were un-.
earthed. He is now receiving $4,000 a
year, and is marked for rapid advance
ment Yet he has been without infiu-
ence, and what he has done might have
been done by any other ambitious young
man in Washington.
Still another young man who has
'made good" is Maurice c. Latta, as
sistant secretary to the president. Mr..
Latta lived in Kansas and went to Okla
homa in 1892 to seek a fortune. He studied
stenography and got a job as reporter
in the land office at Perry. He secured
transfer to Washington, and worked
in the General Land ONCE. awhile. There
he showed such good ability that when
call Same from the White House for
a rapid and accurate stenographer Latta
was recommended.
Roosevelt Worked Him Hard.
Once in the White House. he proceeded
to make the best of his opportunities by
working overtime and keeping up with
the strenuous correspondence Of the
hardest working president who ever
filled the chair. Latta made himself in
dispensable to President Roosevelt. At
midnight or at dawn, in Washington or
on hunting trip In the Rockies, he was
always on hand, with his pencil sharpered.
Assistant Secretary Barnes had made
good in his job and was rewarded at the
age Of thirty-seven by being made post
master at Washington at a salary of
$4,000 "a year. Then Latta, who was al
ways ready, was promoted to Barnes
place, which pays $500 year. Latta is
the same age as Barnes. There is no
reason why he should not follow in the
footsteps of George B. Cortelyou and
eventually become a member of the Cab
met.
/ Among the young men who have come
to the front in politics is Norris Brown
who will succeed Joseph Fl. Milliard as
United States Senator from Nebraska.
He is forty two years of age and will
rank with the youngsters of the great
law making body. He is native Of Iowa
who went to Kansas some years ago,
practicing law, and became warm
friend of Senator Burkett, who Is him
self a young man.
Runs the Consular Service.
Huntington Wilson. Assistant Secretary
OF State. is still another young man who
has attracted attention. He served as a
diplomatic attache in the Orient, and
when Assistant Secretary Pierce was ap-
pointed Minister TO Norway, on the crea-
ton of that kingdom, the president sent
for Wilson and Installed him in the
State Department. Mr.. Wilson has juris-
, (Continued on Seventh Pacel