The Washington herald., 1911-12-05

Eugene Noble ross, Democratic SON0
ernor OF Massachusetts,. Joined his big
Republican brother. George Edmund
Foss, member OF Congress from Illinois,
In Washington yesterday, and they were
much pointed out both in the New VII
lard and at the Capitol Gov. FOss was
given a very cordial greeting by Demo
cratic members. lie is a big business
man at home. but has been in politics
long enough TO be cautious in cOnversa-
tIon, and he carefully refrained from any
predictions as to the Democratic candi-
date for President next year.
There has been considerable coupling
OF the Harmon and Foss names as a
Presidential ticket that might allure the
East. but Gov. Foss himself makes no
reply when asked about his own inclna-
tiOns. save to say that it is A bit early
TO talk OF such things. Anyhow, he is
an interesting figure in present-day poll
tics and is moving mighty cautiously.
He is fifty-three years old, and is a
manufacturer. president OF many big
concerns. director in stock yards. street
railways, and coal companies. and also
in banks. He is by long odds the richest
man yet suggested for either first or
second place on the Democratic ticket,
although Gov. Harmon IS considered
very weIl-to-dO for a lawyer. Some years
back FOss tried TO Join his Illinois
brother in Congress as a Republican. and
was nominated. He was at variance.
however with Republican tariff ideas.
While his Chicago brother was Loyalty
Championing protection. the Bay State
FOss was crying out for free wool, free
coal. free hides reciprocity, and such.
He didn't reach Congress with such poll
cies. lie tried ii again, and again was
beaten. Senator Lodge told him once,
"Foss. you are a Democrat" and FOss
pondered good and long over that re-
mark. and finally went into the Demo-
cratic party as the candidate for lieu
tenant governor. only to be defeated.
making three defeats in six years.
Finally, he came TO Congress when
Lowering died. but served a small part
of a term. This led the way to the
Democratic nomination for governor and
he has twice been elected. He is de-
vOut member OF the Baptist Church, has
no vices, but is fond Of horses and auto
mobiles He has twin daughters, as has
the Chicago brother.
There promises to be much pushing
forward Of the Boston Foss after the
Democratic National Committee meets
in Washington next month. and it is
apparent that the Harmon managers
N~o'iA - ''ii'iiN W. ''Ni' VI i4iili'
Claude Meeker. who WAS secretary to
Gov. Campbell, OF Ohio. later consul at
Bradford. England. under the second
Cleveland term, and who is now a CO.
lumhus banker. spent yesterday In Wash
ingtOn en- route home after Il recupera-
tiCn spell at Old Point. Col. Meeker was
mu n more eager to exult over the
achievements OF his old schoOlmate. Billy
Burns. the detective. than to discuss the
Ohio political muddle. although admitting
much muddle' as the actual condition.
Let us speak of Billy Burns" said
Col. Meeker, to his old Ohio friends, who
gathered to greet him at the Willard.
Il have known Burns since we were
lads together in F. X. Bryan's business
college in Columbus. Oddly enough.
while Burns was acquiring a business
education. bookkeeping and such, he
was noted among his classmates as a
lover of detective tales and as much
more interested in studying mystery
cases than in learning how 20 keep a set
Of bOOks.t We called him Old Sleuth,
Hawkshaw the detective and few
other nlcknames Of the sort. Then mis-
father. the leading tailor OF the Town,
was made police commissioner. and this
stimulated the lads ambition to become
an actual detective and accomplish
something to make him famous.
Il can look back now and recall that
Billy Burns had the real detective in
stinct. and 1t has been wonderfully de-
VeIoped. In that same busiBess college
We had James Joyce. later a Demo-
cratic leader: Sam kinnear. who was
county treasurer, and others who
achieved local fame in the political line.
II was evident from the start that Billy
Burns did not care much or politics, but
preferred the ferreting ont OF mysteries
and crimes. We always kept track of
him. remembering his youthful inCIina-
tions, and We all rejoise he has made
good.
He had to take up work in his |
fathers store fory tine, but he never |
lost his one great desire to be a real de- |
tective. His personal friend. John f. |
Murphy. was for years chief OF police in |
Columbus, and Billy was much with 1
Murphy taking a hand in detective work
at odd times. When Murphy came 10
the United States Secret Service ~
found an opening rN- " ~.. $50, .
ian g.. ataESu. al usa .-.. .a... rGd.
anc GE1w jhat usue M Burns Hg. aI a
rem sEystilr career. Ets continued e. r..
ser, ca eflsr HazeR rstirod, and th't ,una