Omaha daily bee., 1911-12-16
TROUBLE In THE BEAR PIT
Russia's Excuse for Seeking a Meal
Of Persian Lamb.
SINISTER. AND HIS YANKEE AIDS
Busy Lives of the Americans who
Have Revealed Old world Greed
I'm Shrunkcn Empire OF
Darius.
sHUsTER AND HIS YANKEE AIDS

/ 'SSiiSS1 ulpioIldls OF europe ana ANA
at their own game He Is William Nor.
gan Shuster aged "a. His official title
Is treasurer-g general of the Persian en-
pire. He is practically the receiver for
that almost bankrupt country. He has
four other young Americans as his aids
The situation which has made Sinister
world figure is one OF the most dra-
matte of modern times. Russia, England.
Germany, Turkey-protty nearly every
country OF Europe-wants a slice of Per
sia Russia and England especially have
been intriguing there for years. More
than once Russia and England have been
on the verge of war. In 1907 their open
enmity was brought to an end. it was
thought, by an agreement limiting their
respective spheres of interest. Russia
took the Persian provinces along her own
frontier and Great Britain those along
the Afghan border. The Russians con-
troll valuable trade routes to the Cas-
plan sea and the English those to the
Persian gulf. EnEland's acquisition
forms buffer between Russia and the
vast empire OF India, which Russia has
coveted ever since England won it.
The financial control of Persia means
It's political control. Neither Russia nor
England would consent to the other hay-
Ing the key to Persia's somewhat de-
pleted treasure chest. So Persia was
advised to look for financial advisers
from some neutral state, like Switzer-
land. The Persian Parliament were AL
most unanimous IN the opinion that the
lreconstructlve talent should come from
the United States. Last April the State
department and the Persian charge
Id'affaires at Washington picked Mr..
Shuster and his four assistants TO reor-
Iganize the finances of that ancient en-
pire. Shuster and his men have had
trouble ever since. One reason for the
Persians feeling that he is not altogether
a foreigner is that there is a CITY In
Persia called Shuster.
College Training.
This youngster. who has one OF the
biggest contracts in the world on his
hands, was born in Washington, D. c., in
1871 His parents live there still. AS
boy he went to the Central High school
and was colonel OF the schools cadet
regiment. After graduation Shuster
spent two years at Columbia university,
taking special courses in law, political
economy, higher mathematics, languages.
etc. He did not seem to have any par
ticular course in life mapped out, but
studied those things that he liked the
best. He took his degree in law. While
In school he studied stenography and be-
came an expert.
After Shuster had finished his course
at Columbia he went back to his home at
the federal capital. His first job was
as a stenographer in the War department.
When the Spanish-American war broke
outfhe was pecking away at typewriter,
like hundreds of other government en-
ployes. Unlike his fellows, however, he
was displaying, even at 90 such marked
abinty that his superiors were taking
notice of him. When the commission that
had charge Of the evacuation of Cuba by
the, Spanish government and troops was
appointed Shuster was made assistant
secretary. He was then a little more
than Il.
The evacuation co commission finished it's
work and went its way. Shuster remained
in the Cuban customs service. He stuck
there three years and when he got
through was special deputy collector
of customs for Cuba. Elihu Root was
then secretary Of war. This was in 1901,
Of customs for the Philippines was
needed. 1t was one of the big administra-
tive bureaus of the governments colo
NAL possessions. Shuster was chosen
through Mr.. Roots influence Shuster's
work there was not the easy job it is in
the United States. He had to revise the
Philippine tariff laws, reorganize the
customs service and enforce the immigra-
tion, navigation and registration laws
in all the Philippine islands.
Five Years in the Philippines.
This was a big job for a man of "a, OF
one of any age, but Shuster succeeded
just as well in that, He was at it five
years. and it is said his department was
the best administered in the islands.
Even today there is hardly a newspaper
that comes from the Philippines that does
not contain some admiring reference to
the work that he finished eight years
ago. Mr.. Taft was secretary of war in
1906, and by his recommendation Shuster
was put in charge of the organization OF
the educational system of the islands,
with the title of secretary of public in
struction. He was also a member of the
Philippines commission, which was then
the sole legislative body OF the islands.
Mr.. Shuster had charge of the bureau
of education and the employing of nearly
5000 American and Filipino teachers; he
was the responsible head of the entire
prison system he managed the bureau
through which all the supplies for the
government of the islands were pur-
chased; he had charge Of the bureau OF
printing and the Philippine Medical col
lege; he organized the Government uni
versity in the islands. 1t is now known
as the Philippine university, All this
work seemed just pie" for young
shuster. He had some spare time on his
hands, and became largely responsible fOI
the codification Of all the American leg.
islation affecting the Philippines, cover
ing a period of ten years, He was chair
man OF the code committee of the Philip
pine commission. He finished the most
OF his work in 1907.
After Shuster had cleaned up every
thing in the way OF work in his line il
the Philippines he decided 10 return tC
Washington and practice law. He gave
up a lucrative practice to take his place
as treasurer general OF Persia last May
The four young men who were chosen
10 accompany Mr. Shuster to Persia anC