The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-06-20
Of the Taft Campaign
Makes the Politicians
Take Notice.

Traditio nhas Il that preachers
sons turn out badly-that they take
to drink and gambling or get coa-
nected up with some other form Of
evil Frank II Hitchcock the son of
a congregatlonallst minister. escaped
the drinking and gambling, but late
into life got into politics. II was more
Of an accident though than deliberate
intent. so he must not be Judged too
harshly. His career is one Of those
instances Of rapid rise that are some
times pointed out to American youth
as something to emulate.
Hitchcock is Yankee via. Ohio,
where he was born while his father
had charge of church there. lie
went to Massachusetts, as a child and
has made his home there ever since.
His early years gave no Inkllng to his
later debut as manager in the field
of national politics At first he turn
ed strongly to athletics. and for three
seasons was first baseman on the
summerviIle High School team
which was the crack aggregation Of
Its kind among amateurs in that To-
cnlity Hitchcock was fashioned by
nature for that job. being six feet
tall and with fine reach Of arm.
When he went to Harvard he was
offered the same position on the COLI
lego team. but he had decided that he
had living to. make so he declined
this tempting invitation. He did,
however, 80 in for boxing and be-
came an expert in this line. With
great breadth of shoulders, his long
reach and science, he easily became
the leader among the college boxers,
and there were few professionals
around Boston with whom he could
not divide honors,
Hitchcock had 4 liking for the
sciences. especially biology, aud spent
most Of his time in study of this
character. Ills going to Washington
followed close upon his graduation
from Harvard A relative In the
treasury department obtained for. him
small clerical position in connec-
ton with the work Of construction Of
the new postotiicc department build
ing, then under way. Later he went
to the agricultural department He
showed himself to be a quiet, earnest
worker with an exceptional capacity
for organization and a master Of de-
tails. He organized the bureau of
Foreign Markets and spent consldera-
bic time abroad making an investiga-
ton having for its object the devel-
opmcnt of American commerce The
results Of these Investigations were
published in the form OF bulletins by
the Department
The beginning Of Hitchcock's de-
vclopmcnt as a national figure may
be traced to the night on which he
was graduated from George Wash
ington University Law School. George
Bruce Cortelyou. then secretary to
President Roosevelt. happened to be
present ana was attracted to Hitch
cock by the applause bestowed upon
him by his class when the diplomas
we're handed out. On learning that
Hitchcock held place in the Depart
mcnt Of Agriculture, Mr.. Cortelyou
made It his business to inquire as 10
the class OF work he was doing and
received flattcrus reports.
When Mr. Cortclyou was made
chairman OF the Republican National
Committee he Immediately appointed
Mr. Hitchcock assistant secretary Of
that organization and later put him
in charge az the detail work in con
ncction with the inauguration Of
President Roosevelt When the De-
partment Of Commerce and Labor
was created ana Mr. Cortclynu made
lls fret .ncrnlnrr Iltrhrnck hnrnme