The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-04-17
Notwithstanding Earnest Ef-
fort to Shave Department
Expenses Some Ministers
Spend With Ease.
PERSONAL HABITS OF
MEMBERS OF CABINET
Won Meyer, Macveagh and
Wickersham Have Been
Called the "Aristocrats, !"
But They Are Really Not.

(ey Jonathan Winfield)
Washington. April 16.-Notwith- |
standing that earnest efforts have been
made in government departments to
'cut down" expenses In order that q
more economical system may be estab-
lished in the management Of the gov
ernment business, some Cabinet men, |
bers spend the public money in ways
that have caused widespread comment.
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 men,
bers.
Contrary to those officials are Secre-
tary Nagel, of the department OF
Commerce and Labor, and Secretary
Wilson. of the departmnt of Agricul-
ture. Under the present administra-
tion not one cent Of the governments
money has been expended by either of
these officials In fixing up supmptuous
quarters. Attorney General Wicker
sham, Secretary OF War Dickinson,
Postmaster General Hitchcock and Sec
retary Of the Navy Meyer, have fine Of
fices In their respective buildings, but
since the present regime they have not
been renovated or touched.
Secretaries Meyer, Macveagh and
Attorney General Wickersham all ex-
eeptionally rich men. haxa heen allnd-
"a 10 % the "aristocrats" of the pres
ent administration, and vet an inner
personal knowledge Of their characters,
Ii some degree refutes the statement.
Almost Foreigner.
Mr.. Won Meyer. by reason Of his long
association abroad as Minister Of the
United States to Italy and also to Rus
sia gives one the impression that he
IL Of foreign extraction and imbued
with the idea Of aristocracy. When
In personal touch with newspaper men
and his every day. associates . differ
emit impression Is obtained. In fact
he 10 one OF the most democratic men,
bers OF President Taft's cabinet.
Mr.. Macveagh although possessed Of
great wealth. 10 very genial and cordi-
al in manner. He has spent about
$1,000 In furnishing his new office
quarters In the treasury building, in
stalling = private elevator. ETC.. but
these facts are not held to be proof OF
. feeling Of superiority or exclusive
ness. To show his democracy fact
pointed out by his secretary. r. O. Bal
10y, stamps him as . typical American.
On Tuesday after cabinet meeting.
MT. Macveagh usually lunches at :
nearby oyster house. sitting in . little
room with q number Of other persons,
and perhaps touching elbows with his
uoorest paid clerk. At other times,
Whea strenuous days work confronfs
himyAe may visit . dairy lunch room
directly opposite his office and elbow
ing Ms way TO the pie counter. orders
u th4 same manner ~ anyone else.
10 Not Too Cordial.
~. Won Meyer, II not quite % dem-
eeraeic IN seeking his midday meals.
- ,ehAFacteristics are discernible In
G6aveesation and upon first meeting.
NAile not cordial TO tho breaking
p6lnt. NJ - easily approached and hos
nifaA1e. Il In general, however. he rath-
: 6Ssholds a1ocf sfrDn The public, yet does
= b hesitate to mix: With tAem~When he
GSoares.
1r. Wlckersham II. perhaps. more Of
an aristocrat than any Of the others.
Socially his associates are cabinet
membero and the best society in WASH
ington. Some legal friends made since
serving here - Attorney General are
numbered among his personal friends.
He 10 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
Baltimore. where he spends much leis-
ure time frequently going to New York
for the week ends.
VAile In his office at the department
81 1nstice he n one OF the most APP
proachable men In President Taft's
cabinet. Sometimes Il happens that
a old acQuaintance or . caller will be
recognized BY the attorney general In
the ante room to his office. He VIII
stop. shake hands with his caller and,
slttlng on the edge OF the table. with
hle foot In chair holds his interview.
This, however. II the exception to the
rulo. for the attorney general usually
makes an callers even representatives
A ana senators. arrange for interviews IN
advance. At the beginning OF his
tsrm members Of congress- were wont
g drop IN ON him without having ffrst
nlade m appointment.
Finally oss Rsstlsss.
Altar sitting In the ante room fol
nueornl minutes they would become
lceNllaslsd On Paas ehsl.