Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-16

Announcement was made at the White
House today that President Wilson had
signed the appointment of Walker w.
Wick, who was secretary of the inaugural
committee last winter, as collector OF
customs for the Dominican republic. The
position pays $500 a year and Mr. Wick
will have to make his residence in San
Domingo. BY treaty with this country,
the United States selects the collector of
customs.
Mr.. Wick is known chiefly to Washing
ton as the secretary of the inaugural
committee of 1913, although he has had
lively and successful career in New
Jersey and national politics, and became
a national figure as a thoroughgoing-
Wilson man in the convention days. and
also in the campaign.
Entered Governorship Fight.
The real activity began when Woodrow
Wilson was nominated as Governor Of
New Jersey. Wick handled the Wilson
end of that campaign in Bergen county
as chairman of the Wilson and Hughes
committee. Bergen upset a republican
majority, turning it into democratic
victory by 5000 votes. inSuring the return
to Congress of Representative Hughes,
now senator from New Jersey.
Following that Wick became an ardent
supporter of Woodrow Wilson and was
made an active part of the campaign fo'
| the nomination at the suggestion of VII
liam F. McCombs later chairman of the
national democratic committee. His par
ticular field of endeavor at that time
was North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, Alabama and Florida He has
been especially commended for the re-
suits achieved in the Carolinas, and Is
credited with the plan which prevented
Alabama from turning to Clark when
urged to do SO by Georgia and Missis-
sippi.
1t was in February 1872 that McCombs
placed Wick in charge of the New York
Wilson headquarters, and it was in this
capacity that Wick attracted the attention
of the leaders to his executive ability
and broad foresight.
Opened Baltimore Headquarters.
President Wilson heard about Wick con-
stantly at this time, and the young man
was given the task of opening the Will
son headquarters in Baltimore. He work
ed day and night until Wilson was nomi
mated.
Following the convention Wick went
into the presidential campaign with a
vengeance and was made assistant Sec
rotary of the democratic national COM
mittee. He originated the system used
there through the hard days of the pre-
election fight. Democrats give him credit
for putting presidential campaign on
a business basis.
The headquarters spent more than d
million dollars in three months, and 1t
was on Vick's order that every penny
was authorized in writing, audited and
receipted for with as much care as IL it
were part of banks business. During
this time Wick let his own private affairs
dwindle to nothing, and in addition, he
contributed heavily to the Wilson cam
paign funds.
Wick was made secretary to the in
augural committee in December. 1872,
opened headquarters In the New Willard,
and put an office force to work. He be-
came widely known in Washington, and
was of great value to the members of
the committee. Following the inaugural
ceremonies Mr.. Wick was presented with
a testimonial by members of the commit
tee.
Mr. Wick is not much more than thirty
years of age, and is married and
has four children. He has been a news
paper man, a lawyer, and has had wide
experience in mining and engineering
schemes.