The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-06-21
JOSEPH D. BAKER
IS "FAVORITE SOM
Held In Esteem BY Fred
erick'S Citizens of All
Classes.
By RALEIGH c. SMITH.

FREDERICK, Md, June 2l.-Every
Sometimes he is a public official and
often a factor in politics, the head and
front Of an Organization, Democratic
or Republican, as the case may be. But
Frederick's big man" is from his very
simplicity a private in The ranks. He
has no titles and enjoys no emoluments
Of Office. He is Joseph D. Baker.
Mr.. Baker occupies not only an en-
viable but a unique position in the bust
ness. civic. and social life Of Frederick
He is not a politician. although his
friends doomed him for the Democratic
grbernatoriaI nomination in 1907. and
his name was placed before the conven-
ton with Frederick and Washington
counties solidly back OF him.
It was DO great disappointment to him
that he was not nominated and elected
governor Of Maryland He would havc
appreciated the honor and would have
served the people faithfully and Wen.
but that was all. His position was clear
y defined and he was a part or parcel
Of - manipularions or combinations"
Generally when a man is mentioned
for governor the feminine members Of
his family see in the realization of his
dreams an attractive picture of social
life and prestige at the executive man
sion at Annapolis This was not the
case with Mrs Baker and Miss Char
lOtte Baker. the only daughter Of the
house. 1t was not the case with the
only son, Holmes Baker. stalwart
young fellow now associated with his
father in the Citizens National Bank.
Mr.. Baker s wife and children did not
want 70 cross him in any ambition. but
nr a 4 in
the great, big family mansion on
Church street where the most gener-
Gus and cordial hospitality is dispensed
10 al Corners whenever they will drOp
around. This refers not only 10 the
neighbOrs, but is even more marked in
its application TO the stranger within
the gates
Everybody Knows Him.
There is not a man, woman or child
IN Frederick county and the famous
MiddletOwn Valley who. does not either
know personally or by hearsay every
thing about Joe" Baker. There is not
a man. woman or child who does not
say, in substance. He is our big man"
Mr. Baker has been since its Organi-
cation president of the Citizens Ma
tionaI Bank, recognized as one Of the
strongest financial institutions in the
State, and the stock Of which is in
great demand at five times its par val
ne. The banking business is his chosen
vocation. and the Citizens Bank, with
its splendid new building, is his special
pride. but, with his brothers, he is in
terested in other big enterprises, and
spends several days month a the
Baltimore Offices in charge of Daniel
Baker.
When a man in Frederick wants to
put up a new building he goes 10 see
Joe Baker-possiply to have the prof
eCt financed by the Citizens Bank-but
in any event to secure the moral CO.
operation and interest of Mr. Baker. Of
which he feels assured. When q church,
q school. an association Of some sort or
an individual gets up against it. the
same tactics are pursued Joe Baker
is sympathetic. And II 10 Is advice or
the judgment OF another that is needed
about something, no matter how in
tricate or delicate in nature, again IL is
Mr.. Baker 10 be seen.
Leading Church Layman.
Mr.. Baker is a leading layman in All
Saints Protestant Episcopal Church, but
his acts Of kindness and charity are
not governed BY creed or color He no
more. stops 10 reflect whether one is a
Methodist. a Baptist or a Catholic than
he bothers about the political affiliations
Of a man-whether he is a Democrat or
81
10 him and that is his doctrine
When Mr.. Baker leaves the bank in
the middle Of the day with his son,
Holmes, for dinner at the family
home. on Church street, he gathers
in everybody who viii go along with
him. When he starts in his autOmO-
bile for a spin over the hills and to
the mountain overlooking the pic
turesdue Braddock Heights he finds
seats from unknown recesses for all
those who viii take a ride And on
the return trip to town If the pasSen-
ger does not eat supper in the Church
street mansion il is his own fault and
he is also a person who can resist per-
suaSiOu.
Frederick is a charming little city
with much that is modern and pro-
gressive TO recommend IL. II is the
center of a pOpulOus and prosperous
country. It has a fine water supply,
invigOratiug air. a display OF wide
awake business enterprises and
warmth Of hospitality that is not sur
passed in more southern climes. And
Frederick has its real big man He
is plain Joe" Baker"