The Washington herald., 1912-09-15
Charles D. Hilles, Taft
Manager, Has Rapid Rise
From Superintendent of Asylum to Field Marshal
of Republican Forces in Less Than Four s
Years-Story of achievements.

IeaYS-StOry
C. d, Hilles. to-day field marshal OF
the Republican forces in their most crit
icai campaigR. was. less than four year,
ago. guarding the interests Of seyera
hundred orphans in a Juvenile asylum Of
which he was the superintendent. His
rapid rise In public life is dramatic
story and intensely American In its II.
lustration of the opportunity that. even
In these days, awaits the young man who
does his job well.
From the hour of his rehominaticn
President Taft steadily insisted that hit
secretary was the right man to head the
national committee, and after little con-
sideration OF the character of Mr.. Hilles
the seasoned politicians reached the same
decision.
Who is Mr. Hilles. and why has he
succeeded where his predecessors have
consistently failed? By what act does
he succeed as secretary to the President.
recognized as the most difficult ofiicial
billet In Washington? Why does the
President prefer him as leader in the
campaign? ~
The answer to these questions, direct
from the White House. Is Hilles has ''the
poise and the touch"
The word ratified" does not exist In fhe
Hilles vocabulary. The most perplexing
circumstances which confront him are
taken up without even momentary loss
Of self-ccntrol 1t is not a studied self
control. 1t comes naturally.
OF course, Senator who comes to the
White House to see the President about
the appointment of a postmaster at Far
away considers always that his business
is important enough to interrupt con-
ference between Mr.. Taft and a Cabinet
officer or to have the President throw out
OF his office all other callers or to inter-
rupt his luncheon. Mr. Hilles does not
agree with that Senator any more than
his predecessors in the White House. but
he knows how to make the Senator pa
tient and reasonable. which his predeces-
sors generally failed to do.
Tells the Truth.
No subterfuge or emergency prevaricat-
ing is ever employed by Mr.. Hilles in a
case like this. Perhaps his Quaker an
cestry has something to do with this. He
doesn't tell the Senator that the Presi-
dent Is sitting up nights thinking about
that PARKWAY job, that he would rather
please the Senator than eat his break
fast. but unfortunately IL would be i'm
possible for the President to be seen at
that particular time.
Instead he tells the Senator frankly why
he does not wish to disturb the President.
The President is perhaps very busy with
an accumulated mass OF work which he
has been trying to get rid of for several
days. Mr.. Hilles has taken upon himself
the responsibility of keeping callers away
that afternoon. He knew the President
would appreciate II and the Senator him
self would appreciate IT, or course he
would. But in the meantime Mr.. Hilles
is very glad that the Senator has called.
II gave excellent opportunity for an in
chat about matters of mutuS!
interest. And Mr.. Hilles will make
note and see that the PARKWAY post-office
And the Senator, in a case like this,
leaves the White House convinced that
the matter can rest until morning. Prob
ably ne will tell the first person he meets
that that man Hilles Is a mighty agree
able person to talk TO and just the kind
Df secretary the President needed for the
Job"
''Hilles," said the President on one oc-
casion, what a cheerful. pleasant dispo-
sition you have! No wonder you're a
politician"
The ability OF Mr.. Hilles as a politician
and a manager came out at the time Of
Mr. Taft's first nomination. Mr.. Hilles
lid active work IN New York, New Jer-
sey. and Connecticut. His work. clean
and above board. honest and fearless;
with the ring OF conviction in every
,unce of il, attracted the attention of
he Presidents political advisers, and OF
he President himself.
Organized Pre-convention Campaign
1t was the Chicago pre-convention cam
,aign, however, that made Mr.. Hilles
figure In politics. He. had quiet
Y organized the campaign in a thorough
Ind painstaking manner that permitted
Mckinley. the Presidents
political manager, to start with an efti-
,!ent organization.
At Chicago, where Mr.. Hilies was the
personal representative Of the President,
lie surprised friends and foes alike by
lis deep insight into every move OF the
opposition and his ready defense for
,ach attack. And through 1t all he never
urned a hair. During the days when
politicians we're running about like mad
With whiting collars and bedraggled ap-
,earance, Mr.. Hilles was faultlessly
lressed, as usual. with no outward sign
o show that he was more than a cas-
ial spectator.
His capacity for work kept him going
Until and o'clock in the morning
Without his feeling 1t. He went about
lis work in his orderly way. carrying
to his rooms with him in his suit
ases, as IL he were about to start on
long trip. Men liked to work with
lin in Chicago as well as at the White
House. Mr.. Hilles smoked his regular
me cigar a day and had hiss same sup
'ly of dry humor to keep those about
i'm amused instead of weary.
work on every day but Sunday" is
dr. Hilles' slogan. His habit of keep
ng the Sabbath is as regular as his habit |
4 one cigar a day. That he doesn't
Ike appointments on Sunday he has
made clear in that finished way OF his |
o every one VINO knows him well in |
Washington.
Born In Ohio. |
Charles Dewey Hilles was born In Bel |
mont County. Ohio. forty-five years ago. |
Though he looks younger than that An
ther thing that is deceptive about his |