The Washington herald., 1910-06-19
By Ex-ATTACHE.

Among the very first hoDOrs OF the new
reign in England has been the bestowal
by King George of memberships of the
privy council upon Col. Sir Arthur
Bigge. who has been his private secre-
tary for the past nine years, and upon
Lord Knollys, who served Edward VII IN
a similar capacity for more than forty
years.
The grant Of these distinctions, which
has met with universal approval in
England, has conceded with the appoint
ment OF Charles Dyer Norton, the As
sistant Secretary OF the Treasury, TO be
the private secretary to the President Of
the United States All three nominations
may be regarded as recognition OF the
enormous Importance OF the role Of pri-
vate secretary, an office which receives
In this country, as a general rule, far
less consideration than abroad.
Americans are for the most part con-
tent with the services OF a mere stenog-
rapher and typewriter, without attach
ing any weight to any other qualities
beyond those Of ordinary honesty and
discretion. They do not seem to appre-
ciate the advantage OF selecting their
education. and bringing up as them
selves. Consequently. he is rarely in full
sympathy and understanding with the
views, the prejudices, the tastes. and the
ethics of his chief Moreover. he cannot
be expected to possess the same SAVIOR
faire, the graces OF manner. and the tact,
OF his principal, and is therefore unable
! 10 relieve his chief OF much that the pri-
vate secretary abroad is able 10 take
upon himself.
That President Taft has become alive
to this, has been taught II indeed by
experience, is shown by his selection OF
man OF the caliber of the former As
sistant Secretary Of the United States
Treasury, in lieu OF the very worthy
Fred Carpenter. who has served him for
| so many years as stenographer and clerk.
but who could not boast of the requisite
equipment for the task Of private secre-
tary to the Chief Magistrate Of one OF the
great powers OF the world.
Were other Americans Of less exalted
spheres OF activity 10 seek their private
secretaries from among men OF their own
breeding and standing, Of whom they can
make a confidential associate rather than
a confidential clerk. men. in one word,
who could become their alter ego. they
would save themselves no end OF worry.
mental strain, and unnecessary work.
Indeed, a good private secretary. who
is able t. appreciate men and things from
the same standpoint and from the same
| social level as his employer, not only re-
lieYes the latter Of the necessity Of giving
specific instruction. except in matters Of
great Importance but is able. naturally.
to do his thinking for him. and 10 act
as a species Of living and perambulating
memorandum book. The private secre-
| tary, indeed. should constitute the men,
DRY of his chief.
So fully is this recognized abroad,
that almost every public man in England,
as well as on the continent Of Europe,
may be said to have worked at some
time of his career as private secretary.
and were 10 be asked 10 indicate the
surest road to fame. future. and emf
nence In Great Britain, I should unhesl-
tatingly declare that II was 10 be found
| in the fuifllment OF the very delicate and
multifarious duties OF private secretary
| 10 some statesman.
Thus, Lord Cromer first won hts spurs,
/ and laid the foundations OF his so bril-
/ liant career. as private secretary TO his
cousin, Lord Northbrook, when the latter
was viceroy of India. So great was the
| influence which he exercised IN that ca
| pacity, that he came 10 be known as
/ the deputy governor general" and ]
| have known him 10 give a most amusing
/ account of the extraordinary range OF
! his duties in those days. when at one
moment he would be consulting with
ministers, or giving directions TO admin
istrators of provinces, while at another
moment he would be boiling from his seat
at Yiceregal banquet at Calcutta Just IN
| time to bar the entrance into the hall
! of servants bearing some boiled ham. or
roast pork, the appearance OF which would
/ have given mortal offense to the great
native rulers and potentates present.
! Lord Currie, who rose to receive a peer
| age, the Grand Cross Of the Order OF
| the Bath, and the Office Of English am
/ bassador 70 Rome. was for years and
years the private secretary OF the late
Lord Salisbury. Another former private