The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-04-17
CABINET MEMBERS
AND Their HABITS
Democratic Body of Men Who
Pay Strict Attention to
Business.
SOME OF THEM VERY RICH
NOT "STUcK UP" ON ACCOUNT
OF WEALTH OR POSITION.

Washington, April 1e.-Notwith-
standing that earnest efforts have been
made in government departments TO
cut down" expenses in order that
more economical system may be es-
tablished In the management of the
government business, some cabinet
members spend the public money in
ways that have caused widespread com
ment. The secretary of the treasury
and the secretary of the interior have
spent several thousand dollars fixing
up their offices to make them conform
more to the dignity of cabinet mem
bers.
Contrary to these officials are Secre-
tary Nagel of the department of COM
merce and labor and Secretary Wilson,
of the department of agriculture. IN
der the present administration not one
cent of the governments money has
been expended by either of these Off
cials in fixing up sUmptuous quarters.
Attorney General Wickersham Secre-
tary of War Dickinson, Postmaster Gen
eral Hitchcock and Secretary of the
Navy Meyer have fine offices in their
respective buildings, but since the pres
ent regime they have not been reno
waited or touched.
Secretaries Meyer, MacVeagh and At
torney General Wickersham, all excep-
tionaHy rich men, have been alluded
to as the 'aristOcrats" of the present
administration, and yet an inner per-
some degree refutes the statement.
Mr.. Won Meyer by reason of his long
association abroad as minister of the
United States to Italy and also Russia,
gives one the impression that he is OF
foreign extraction and imbued with the
idea of aristocracy. When in personal
touch with newspaper men and his
everyday associates q different impress
sion is obtained. In fact he is one of the
most democratic members Of President
Tafts cabinet.
Not an Aristoerat.
Mr.. Macveagh although possessed of
great wealth, is very genial and cordial
in manner. He has spent about $4,000
in furnishing his new office quarters
in the treasury building, installing
private elevator, etc, but these facts
are not held TO be proof Of a feeling of
superiority of eXclusiveness. To show
his democracy a fact pointed out by his
secretary, r. 0. Bailey, stamps him as
typical American.
On Tuesday after cabinet meeting,
Rfr. MacVeagh usually lunches at a
nearby oyster house, sitting in little
room with number OF other persons,
and perhaps touching elbows with his
poorest paid clerk. At other times,
when q strenuous days work cOnfronts
him, he may visit a dairy lunch room
directly opposite his office, and elbow
ing his way to the pie counter, orders
in the same manner as anyone else
Mr.. Won Meyer is not quite as demo-
= =
characteristics are discernible in con
versation and upon first meeting. While
not cordial to the breaking point, he is
easily approached and hOspitable. In
general however, he rather holds aloOf
from the public, yet does not hesitate
to mix with them when he desires.
Mr.. Wickersham is. perhaps, more of
an aristocrat than any Of the others.
Socially his associates are cabinet mem
bers and the best society in Washing
ton. Some legal friends made since
serving here as attorney general are
numbered among his personal friends.
He is in much demand at social func-
tions in the ultra fashionable set of
the national capital and to great eX-
tent in New York, Philadelphia and Bal
timOre, where he spends much leisure
time, frequently going to New York
for the week ends.
Must Make Appointments.
While in his office at the department
of Justice he is one of the most ap-
proachable men in President Taft's cab
met. Sometimes 1t haCDens that an old
acquaintance or caller Will be recog-
nized by the attorney general in the
ante room to his office. He will stop,
shake hands with his caller and sitting
on the edge of the table, with his feet
in a chair, hold his interview. This,
however, is the exception to the rule,
for the attorney general usually makes
all callers, even representatives and
senator's, arrange for interviews in ad-
vance Al the beginning OF MS lcEtis
members OF Congress were wont to
drop in on him without having first
made an appointment After sitting in
the ante room for several minutes they
would become restless and, accosting
Mr.. Wickersham's secretary, demand an
audience with the attorney general In
variably they were turned down. The
same treatment was accorded to news
paper men pntil the attorney general
developed the name of hermit"
I Gradually however, he became ed
ucated" to Washington ways and adopt
ed the appointment plan, Senators,
representatives and legal callers now
arrange their appointments with him
several days beforehand, while others
who seek to gain an interview with
out making an appointment take their
chances? They are often disappointed
Since his residence in this city he has
not discarded the judicial mien that
surrounds him. He does nothing that
does not cOmport with the formal ju-
dicial atmosphere" Coming to his Of
| flee in the morning. he drives to the
| private entrance. When leaving for the
| White House on cabinet days, he de-
parts from the department Of justice
| by the private entrance
"Farmer Jim" Wilson.
Contrary to other members of Presi-
| dent Tafts cabinet is Uncle" James
| Wilson, secretary of the department Of
agriculture. He is known in Washing
ton as Farmer jim" and throughout
I the country IS perhaps Tie U6St S6CfS-
tary of agriculture that has ever been
| in the cabinet. Although rumors of
| Mr.. Wilson's resignation have received
| publicity from time to time, he has
no present idea of resgning. He per-
| haps controls more votes than any
other man in the cabinet and is con-
sidered a strong man with the rural
population.
Mr.. Wilson usually wears plain bus
| mess suit. Only on special occasions
does he appear in a frock coat and silk
hat or in evening dress. He has no ex-
pensive tastes such as an automobile or
handsome carriage, to carry him around
the city. or to and from the department
or on social calls. He uses a govern
ment carriage a very democratic fnstf-
tuition, using it for his departmental du-
ties as well as for social purposes.
Secretary Dickinson and Postmaster
General Hitchcock are both types of prog
ressive Americans. They ask numerous
questions and run their departments ac-
cording to their personal views Social
obligations do not interfere with their pub
lie business. They are tactful, resource
full and at the same time conserva tive in
administering their respective depart
ments While not as apprOachable as
are not described either as aristocrats or
democrats. but are in the intermediate
class
Secretary Hitchcock.
Postmaster General Hitchcock is known
as the "gumshoe man." by reason of his
reticence in discussing politics or the af
fairs of his department. He usually ar
rives at his office early in the morning