The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-04-13
A JOB FOR KERENS
ST. LOUIS MAN MAY m SENT TO
 q. AUSTRIA.
After Many Y<ars of waiting Mfs-
 scuri RepubIican May Ds Re- warded For Royalty to His

Washington, April 1z.--tSpecial)-- Col. Richard E. Kerens. of St. Louis. seems at last slatei for good ap- pointment. There are mighty few publican would take. but 1t Is now said that he is anxious and willing tc serve his country as anbassador to Austria Hungary, and the knowing ones look for the announcement of his appointment to that high and honor able post almost any day.
 For . great many years Coioner Kerens was the backbone of Inc Re- publican party in Missouri. He led foriorn hopes in that State for his party when Missouri was so over whelmingly Democratic that 1t seemed ridiculous for any one to ever hope that its electoral vote would be cast for any but the Democratic ticket. For years and yearse Kerens was national committeeman for his State. Several times he got the empty honor nomina- ton for United States Senator at the hands of he Republican legislative caucus at Jefferson City Indeed. 1t appeared that he wAs the first man to be picked out when there was no chance for an election.
 It will be remembered that In 1so4 when Roosevelt carried Missouri at the presidential election the Legisia- ture also went with that victory for the Republicans. At last everybody said the time had come when the ann bition of Kerens would be realized. 1t was generally supposed that he would De sent to Washington as the success sor to Senator Francis Marion Cock rell, who like Benton of old, managed to round out thirty years as Sem ator from the State But fate was against Colonel Kerens. A young fel- low and a novice in politics. Tom Niedringhaus. was that year chairman of the Republican State committee. Through the help of the brewers and other big corporations of St. Louis, Nfedringhaus fixed up the pins for himself and got the Republican eau GUS nomination for Senator. The game. and William Warner of Kansas City was selected as compromise candidate and is in the Senate today from Missouri
 If Coloner Kerens is selected as afn- passador 1t will doubtless be specially pleasing to the court of Emperor Francis Joseph, for Austria is~a Cath. olic county. and Colonel Kerens Is an ardent devotee of that church. He Is 2 man of large wealth and Is noted for his great charity through the
 
 purse has always been open to other charities having no relation whatever to his own religious faith
 kerens is native of county Mayo Ireland. and worked as a youth in humble positions after landing in tho United States. He first settled in Louisiana, and then went into Arkan, sas. and 1t was in the latter State f,s got his start practically, which re- suited In his accommodating millions. Upwards of twenty-five years ago he established his residence in St. Louis. where he has large property interests. strange to relate Mrs Kerens. who comes of an ardent Democratic family has always hoped for the success of that party, provided. of course, Dem. ocratic victories did not cut out her energetic husband from all nrosnect Of being recognized. In other words. Mrs. Kerens from a national stand. point has most generally hoped that The Democrats would win. for the Dem. ocratic feeling was born in her,
 Alfred ]. atofer.