The Washington herald., 1909-03-10
LOEB SWORN In AS.
COLLECTOR or PORT
Col. Fowler Thanks SubOrdi-
mates for Their Support.
OFFICE LIKE a CONSERVATORY
Friends of New Incumbent Send
Flowers - Former WashingtOnIan
Spends Most OF Afternoon Famil-
iarizinE Himself with New Duties.
Fowler to Resume Law Practice.

. New York, March 9.-William Loeb. fr..
former secretary TO President Roosevelt,
was sworn insto-day as collector Of the
port. succeeding Col z. S. Fowler. who
had served only fifteen months. Mr. Loeb
took the oath before Judge Holt in the
United States Circuit Court
The new collector. with two or three
Of his friends. went at once to the Gus
tom-house, where Col. Fowler was wait
ing to receive him On the surface, at
least the meeting between Mr.. Loeb and
HIS predecessor was most cordial
Col Fowler shook hands with the new
collector and then led him into the col
lector's private Office. The two were IN
conference about ten minutes, and when
they came out again absut 100 officers
who viii serve under Mr. Loeb were
gathered in the big reception room
Col Fowler read this speech:
Fowler Reads His Speech.
Gentlemen Of the Customs Service: We
have reached another step in the affairs
OF the port The collector is changed. but
the work Of good administration will go
on In retiring from the Office OF collec-
tor, look you in the eyes for the last
time. and while bidding you an affection
ate farewell, I wish 70 thank you for the
efficient, loyal, and faithful support you
have 50 cheerfully given me in the last
fifteen months. No more unselhsh and
capable officers ever rendered service to
the government The new collector Is a
man OF large experience, who began at
the bottom Of the ladder. I wish him
success in the Office, and ask you 10 give
him the same loyal support you have ac-
corded me"
Turning to Mr.. Loeb, the collector
shook hands with him again and wished
him ''the very best luck" Some officers
applauded. and ali OF them marched up
and shook hands with the new man. Mr.
Loeb, after he had passed down the line,
said:
Il am very much obliged 10 you, gen
tlemen, for coming here to meet me this
morning. expect to carry on the work
that Col. Fowler has been doing 50 well
but I cannot succeed without the loyaI
cooperation Of all of you. I shall Judge
each one on his merits I shall keep
open house here. and shall be glad to
see you at all times. Thank you very
much"
Studies Details of Work.
Mr.. Loeb spent most OF the afternoon
with Col. Fowler. familiarizing himself
with the details Of the Office. The new
collector said afterward he would make
no change In the force for the present:
that everything would go along just as
It has under Col. Fowler.
This means, OF course, that F. Y. Sher-
man, Col Fowler's private secretary. Is
going 10 stay for a time, II not for good.
Mr.. Sherman is a son Of Vice President
Sherman, and there has been a good
deal Of speculation as TO what the new
collectors attitude would be toward him
In the course Of the afternoon Mr..
Loeb received several boxes Of flowers
from friends When he quit for the dav
his private Office looked almost Ike the
corner Of a conservatory. One piece. a
horseshoe OF roses and carnations. was
fully four feet high Mr.. Loeb had moth
ing TO say In regard to the business OF
his new Office. except that he intended
20 buckle down and learn Il from the
ground floor I'D.
Col Fowler will probably resume the
practice OF the law. He is the first col
lector who has left Office without either
resigning or being dismissed.
Referring to this circumstance to-day
he said:
1T IS not necessary for me to resign
or to be dismissed I simply go OUT
Regards to Clarkson.
President Taft sent his kindliest regards
by Collector Loeb, who was sworn in
to-day as collector OF the port. to Gen
James s Clarkson. surveyor Of the porr
with the message that Gen. Clarkson is
to serve out his term.
President Taft has never had any idea
OF shortening Surveyor Clarkson's term.
and he has had little patience with New
York State Republicans who wanted Sur
veyor Clarkson's place at once. 1t NAV
turn out that Gen. Garrison, If he retireS
from the surveyorship at the end OF his
term, viii be requested TO remain in the
service OF the administration. either in
Washington OF in New York
Collector Loeb viii be one OF the guests
az the Hotel Astor tomorrow night at
the fourth annual dinner Of the Iowa
Society OF New York. OF which Cen
James s. Clarkson is president. One of
the toasts will be Welcome" by Gen.
Clarkson.