Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-17
GORGE Won LENGERKE MEYER,

knows all about the United States navy.
This is a necessary statement When he was
made Secretary of the Navy two years ago,
all the maritime sharks, salt water experts,
and storm prophets voiced long howl that
echoed down the wind like the wall of a dy-
ing soul.
aHe's banker" they yelled in despair,
and then yelled it several times more. "Hcs
a banker, and he knows nothing about bat
tleships and guns
Now, however. they all admit that he is
recognized authority on naval affairs, a
reforrner Of note among those who top the
flying foam, and doer of deeds for the good
of the service. When he took the job that
was offered him by President Taft, his ex
perience regarding ocean affairs had been
gained from pleasure cruises on richly up
holstered yachts owned by himself or some
of his millionaire friends in Boston. He real
lied that he had to get busy. And he did.
He sat up nights studying, and he ripped off
an order every day or two appointing special
boards of inquiry to report on why things
were as they were and what could be done
to improve matters.
At the end of year he was full OF lntor-
nation Taking his stand in the middle OF
the deck, he gave orders that made a battery
of twelve-pounders sound like the harmless
cracking of cheap fireworks on the Fourth
of Julv He changed the whole system OF
bookkeeping and accounting throughout the
department: he shot the old navy yard adj
ministraton system full of large and gaping
holes. he paraclutcd al the wornout officers
and dead wood from the service, and land
ed them with gentle thud on the retired
list: and ne conveyed the emphatic i'm
preston To all observers that what he wanted
under, near and beside him was lot OF
"DeD ginger and snap.
And ne got what ne wanted.
Movers training as an executive has been
wonderful. wide. and wooly. Born with a
gold spoon in his mouth. he threw the vel
low baublc out Of his crib when he was ex-
ceedinglv young. Ever since then he has
been a worker. Thin and wiry, he is pos
sessed. governed, and operated by great
store OF nervous energy. They say OF HIM
that he can battle, shave, and dress IN
twelve minutes He makes no movements,
his daily progress through the press OF at
fairs being 4 picturesque series OF rear1ngs,
plungings, and buckings. In his early youth
somebody wound him up like top, and he S
been spinning ever since.
If YOU don't believe it, take a look at his
record.
He was graduated from Harvard in 1879.
He is now a trustee of the Provident lnstl-
tuition for Savings, Boston, and director
ct the Old Colony rust company, boStoli,
the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company,
Manchester New Hampshire), and the
United Electric Securities Company Bos-
ton He has been at various times member
Of the city government Of Boston, Speaker
Of the Massachusetts House Of Representa-
tivcs, Republican national committeeman
from his State, and Ambassador to Italy
and Russia. Under Roosevelt he was Post
master General and Taft kept him IN the
Cabinet in his present position.
As !, sailor on the high seas of finance, he
got up about as high as the rank OF Admiral
for money is no object to him. He carries 1T
around with him, rubs it into his hair and
treats it as if it grew in some grove whittier
he could go at any time and shake down
plentiful crop OF it. As man of society
Society-he learned all the tricks requisite
BY his extensive connections in this country
and his service in foreign countries where all
the men can balance cup OF tea and a slice
of cake gracefully in one hand and walk
across a polished floor without acting as if
they were in a skating rink.
But the thing he likes is work. When
Congress is in session, he is up and out of the
house every morning at seven O'Clock. He
rides horseback until eight, has his break
fast and then hurricdly beats it to his Office,
where he remains until late in the afternoon.
And he is not mouthpicce. Most OF the
members OF the Cabinet are sent round the
l. ~. 81.