The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-14
John Shelton Williams
Assistant Secretary
of Treasury.
FINANCIER AND
RAILROAD BUILDER
Appointee, Whose Selection Took
Political Forecasters by Sur
prise, Widely Known in Con-
nection With Big Business.
Will Resign From Direc-
torates to Accept Post.

Another Virginian was called to
serve in the high councils OF the ma
tion yesterday when President wilson
sent 10 the Senate the name OF John
ohelton Williams. OF Richmond, for
as Assistant Secretary OF
the treasury in charge of Fiscal
Bureaus, to succeed Robert O RaiIsv
or liiinois. The ratification is n mere
matter OF form. and Mr. Williams win
.ake charge of'his new post in the next
few daya .ie
me appointment took seasoned poll
.ieians by surprise. a measure of pre-
e'oh mas SO far preceded every one
OF PRESIDENT Wilson'S appointments.
out In the case OF Mr.. Williams Dame
nuinor n slnmbered. Outside OF the
resident Secretary of tho Treasury
"iiiiam q. McAdoo and a few others
admitted to intimate council no one
VAS aware OF the movement.
richmond the announcement was
$500 $500 win like degree OF surprise
tempered with universal appreciation.
All day long continuous lin ,t
.fiehos Med into Mr.. Williams's offices
20 express their qualification and good
"ishes. A stream OF messenger bows
plicd his desk high with yellow sltps
Hl cohsra tulatton from friends. bus
''ess aSsociates and MEN in public life.
az, amen oy surprise.
may say that this Is "a good de,i
OF surprise to me-" said Mr. vii
iiah's' have never been a candidate
LOT appointment, and the first intima-
uoh mat L was wanted. for the posi-
uon came to me several days nro In
telephone message from Washing
ION was offered the post bv Prea-
tueht wilson and told him that would
consider accepting it when it was of
ferod to me formally.
since that conversation I had re-
ceived no further intimation or my
appointment. Tho report that nv
name was sent 10 the Senate to-day
was was complete surprise. shall accent
tne position OF Assistant Sccretarv OF
.ne ileasurS IL the Senate confirms my
appointment. consider 1t high
nonor to be called to this important
post In the government service,
Widely Known Bnnker.
mo new Assistant Secretary of tha
Ireasury brings to his position an ex-
pert knowledge OF finance ana bir
business gained through life spent
~ nS fnancial and railroad en-
terprises in Virginia and th. South
ne is director in score of com
pahies and corporations president ot
inc richmond Trust and Savings Com
pany' and since 1856 a member of th,
nrm OF John L. Williams & sons
oankers OF this city
Mr. Williams has gained IA nationaI:
aspu.auon as builder and developers
OF railroads. He was active in Tho con.
solidation OF the Seaboard Air Tins
sNstcm and was from 1859 TO 1905
president of that road lie is stiI, !,
nen'oer OF the board Of directors. His
Msht before the General Assembly, or
virginia FOR a franchise to parallei the
t,anhs or the Richmond, Fredericks-
ourg aud Potomac from Richmond IN
Mashinst ton resulting in the granting
OF track privileges to his road is rail.
road history
VIII ILcsiEn Offices.
viii resign from ali directing aud
executive offices that nov hold in
hltcen or twenty corporations" said
MT. Williams. yestcrdav Nj, l.g.t
residence will, or course. remain II,
hichmond will probably return to
'ne c'tS Tor the week-cnds. During the
summer months my family will live at
the country place near Blue Ridge
Summit, Pa"
among the more important Offices
which Mr.. Williams will resign are
president and director Richmond Trust
ana Savings Company. director Mary
land Casualty Company, Baltimore:
vice president and director Interstate
Chemical Corporations: chairman and
.
director Southern Investment Com
pany; director Freeport and Tampico
fuel Oil Company; director National
Bank OF Virginia. and director First
National Bank of Richmond
Telegram From Martin.
Prominent Nirginans as we'll as
friends from other sections OF the coun-
try stacked Mr., Williams's desk high
with kilograms OF concentrations
Among the number was Senator
Thomas 5. Martin, who telegraphed
that ne and Senator Swanson had con-
ferred with President Wilson with re-
gard to his appointment. Messages
were received also from Congressman
Montague, former Corporation Com
missioner Henry Fairfax and Henry
G. Stuart.
From the banks and corporations in
which Mr.. Williams holds offices, and
from leading financial institutions in
the country, came similar messages OF
congratulations The president OF the
largest bank in Baltimore telegraphed:
The officers OF this bank unite in
congratulating the government and
yourself I'm making and receiving such
a splendid appointment"
Friend of sIcAdoo.
Mr.. Williams is a close friend OF
Secretary OF the Treasury William q
with whom he has been as
sociated in number Of enterprises
His appointment Is without doubt due y
to the strong Endorsement OF the sec
retary. who holds a high opinion OF
the assistant secretary's abilities
The appointment OF Mr. Williams III
to other aspirants Is Inter-
preted by politicians who pretend to
be able to read the signs, as a blow
for Thomas Fortune Ryan, whose AL
lance with the so-callnd Virginia ma
chine Is. weli-kpown, and who fought !.