Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-25
North Dakotan to Be Assistant
Secretary of Commerce.
CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE
Won Distinction by Work in Presi'
Dental Campaign.
HE PREPARED CONTEST CASES
succeeds W. r. Wheeler, Who Re-
signs to Accept $15, 900 Position
in San Francisco.

Orfnsby McHarg of North Dakota
nominated today TO be assistant secre
tary of commerce and labor, was paid thu
unusual tribute of being confirmed by thu
Senate in the same session which re
ceived his appointment
Mr.. McHarg is native of North Dakota
and has been in close touch with affair:
at Washington for several years. HI
graduated from the law school of The
University Of Michigan in 1896, and re
turned to North Dakota to practice hi!
profession.
In 1899 he came to Washington and en-
tered George Washington University, TAX
ing several degrees. Later he became al
instructor of law at George Washington.
Prosecuted Indian Cases.
About two years ago Mr.. McHarg wal
engaged as special attorney by the De
partment Of Justice and assigned to the
prosecution of land fraud cases in New
Mexico. Later he represented the de
partment in litigation connected with In.
dian affairs in Oklahoma. While thus en-
gagged he was selected by Frank H. Hitch
cock. then in charge Of William H. Taft:
campaign for the presidential nomination
to prepare the cases of contesting delega.
tons for presentation to the republican
national committee, and the committee or
credentials at the Chicago convention.
The manner in which Mr.. McHarg han
died these cases attracted to him the at
tention Of the party leaders, who recog-
nized his ability at once. After the con-
vention he was actively engaged in cam
paisn matters under Mr.. Hitchcock.
Wheeler Goes to San Francisco.
Mr.. McHarg will succeed William R
Wheeler of California as assistant secre-
tary Of the Department of Commerce and
Labor. Mr.. Wheeler last December was
on the point Of rendering his resignation
to accept the position Of manager Of the
traffic bureau of the Merchants Exchang.
OF San Francisco, for which he has been
chosen at salary Of $1,000 a year. Al
the earnest request Of President ROose-
welt. however. he made arrangements
whereby his assumption Of the duties OF
his new position would be deferred unit
after the close Of the Roosevelt admins
tration.
cisco as early after his successor quail
fles as it is possible for him to make thu
necessary arrangements.
Labor leaders had hoped that the pos
OF assistant secretary of commerce ane
labor would go to representative work
ingman. or failing this, that a man woult
be appointed who is thoroughly familiar
with workingmen and their interests.
Il have not the honor Of the acquaint
ance of Mr. McHarg.' said Presiden
Samuel Gompers Of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor. and he indicated that tbs
appointee Is not generally known to tht
millions who comprise the labor unions o
this country.
Mr.. Gompers also said that in the pas
there has been a disposition to appoint
men to deal with workingmen and theil
affairs who know little or nothing Of the
matters to be considered. He had hoped
he said. the precedent will not be followed
by those now In authority.
Leading printers gave 1t as their opinion
that the naming of Mr. McHarg for tn.
position of assistant secretary of com
merce and labor means the bursting Of
the boom for the restoration of John s
Leech as head of the government printing
office. They base the opinion on the re
port current several days ago that follow
ing the reappointment Of Mr.. Leach the
appointment given to MIR. McHarg today
was to be rendered to Mr.. Donnelly.