The daily tribune., 1908-06-24
POSTMASTER GENERAL
IS FIFTY YEARS OLD

Washington, June 24-George Won
Lsngerke Meyer. who as postmaster
general has become known az the
big new man Of President Roosevels's
cabinet, Is today receiving the con-
gratulations Of his friends in this and
other lands upon the occasion of his
birthday. Mr.. Meyer is today so
years Of age. having been born IN
Boston on June "a. 1858 He will
celebrate another anniversary to.
morrow-that Of his marriage on
June go 1885, to beautiful Alice Az
| pleton. at that time one of the bellies
Of New England society, and now an
admitted leader in the social circles
of the national capital. Tho Meyers
will spend the summer at their beau.
tiful country home at Hamilton.
Mass. a mansion of colonial architec-
ture. set in the midst of large park
and surrounded by terrace and gar.
dens. The postmaster general Ia a
conspicuous example Of that class Of
men. unhappily few. who are born to
great wealth and who spend their
| lives and their fortunes In the sery-
ice of the state.
When Mr. Meyer was recalled from
st. Petersburg, where lie had sue
cessfully played the difficult part of
American ambassador during a part of
the eventful period of the Russo Jap
anese war, 1t WAS predicted by many
that he would be an ornamental
rather than an especially useful
member of the administration. 1t
was conceded that lie would mako
valuable member of the "tennis cab
met" for he is an adept at tennis,
and many other open air sports, and
it was admitted that with his large
means aud his charming wife and
daughters he would perhaps become
the social leader of the administra-
tion. That he would become one of
tho first men of the presidents board
on hand WAS scarcely credited at first.
But the fact that Mr.. Meyer has been
consulted by the president in re-
spect to the problems of the financial
situation, and that his advice has
been given weight along with that of
Secretary Cortelyou and Secretary
Root, and the furthe fact that the
new postmaster general has grasped
the needs of his own special depart
ment and come to the front at once
with ideas as to Its betterment, show.
his friends believe, that he is not go.
ing to be mere 6gurshead. He
wants the postofiices placed on an up
to date business basis. he wants
parcels post system established, and
he wants the postal savings banks.
Mr.. Meyer is Il man after the pres.
ident's own heart In personality and
achievements. He is strenuous phys
ically. and few athletic stunts are too
difficult for him. He Is Harvard
man, and he has all the polish and
social graces that education, wealth,
travel and association with leaders
IN the public life OF two hemis.
pheres could give. Though in his
fiftieth year, he is II young man in
appearance aud does things with
only young blood usually attempts.
In riding to the hounds he thinks
nothing OF jumping his horse over
five barred gate, and, as for tennis,
they say that he can q i've the president
nett us hard work TO hold the pace
ms the bishop OF London did in the
now historic International match ON
the White House courts. He is
crack shot and in the matter Of hunt.
ing has had experiences that even
Mr.. Roosevelt might envy. One Of
his exploits was shooting a wild boar
when on hunt with the King of
Italy while he WAS ambassador Mt
Rome.
The postmaster general is n close
personal friend OF William II. Taft
and will probably give him invalua.
Al a a H..