The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-12
(By Robert q. wilson.l

Washington, April 12.-Routine mat
ters had been conducted in the same
old routine way for a good many years
in the war department prior to the
coming of the new secretary, Lindley
NJ. Garrison. They started off in the
same routine way with him until they
were abruptly halted during his sec
ond day in office. His secretary had
brought him a batch of mail to be
signed.
whats this?" he demanded, read
ing over a letter. The missive inform
ed the inquirer that such and such a
procedure at a certain army post is
followed because the department has
adopted such a policy.
''But this man asked for a reason
an explanation-and we have merely
told him it was a departmental
policy" said Garrison.
This man is an awful nuisance,
explained the private secretary. HE
is continually Fostering us with ques-
tions.''
know" said the new secretary of war.
white paper is cheap, and suggest
we use another page of it and explain
to him why the department adopted
the policy"
Garrison has come into the war de-
partment afflicted with the strange
notion that the army and the army
officers are servants of the public and
that the public is entitled to know all
that is done in the war department
and why it is done.
Two Big Problems.
Garrison will need all of his tact
and the full use of his great mental
powers to steer through the troubled
waters of the next four years. Two OF
the greatest problems confronting the
administration will come before MIN
for solution. One is the Philippine
question-whether we are to grant in
dependence to the island people. And
the other is a problem which fars1ght-
ed men are predicting will be the most
burning issue since the slavery con-
tention-the old states rights ques-
tion-whether we are to have federal
control of the great resource of water
power or whether that control is to
be given to the individual states.
1t is said that President Wilson,
realizing the gravity of these ques-
tions-problems which are likely to
dwarf the Importance of such issues
as the tariff and currency REFORM
spent more time selecting secretary
of war than any other cabinet OFFICER
He chose Garrison, chancellor OF New
Jersey. possessor of one OF the most
eminent legal minds in the Onlteo
States. but a man who had never be-
fore held executive office, and po-
litical unknown.
But no member of the new cabinet |
attra cted the instant admiration that
Garrison has during his first days in |
office Almost everyone who visits |
the war department Immediately be- |
comes a Garrison enthusiast. The new !
secretary is continually being likened |
to Roosevelt when he came to Wash |
ington as an unknown. Garrison mas
the same instantaneous grasp of big |
affairs, the same originality and in !
ventiveness, and the same crisp man
ner of speech and action in putting |
his Judgment into effect. All sorts of |
predictions are being made for him.
He is heralded as one of the coming |
big men of America, perhaps fu-
ture president
Has Teddy's Strenuousness.
The new war secretary is man
slightly above medium height, sturd-
ily built but alert in bodily move
ments, suggesting the strenuousness
of Roosevelt. His smooth shaver, |
rounded, oblong face gives his eyes
the appearance of being set rather
close together. His eyes are not large.
but are clear. brown, short-sighted
and very inquisitive. His head is
crowned with stone gray hair.
Garrison is one of the most easily
public men now at the
helm Of the government. He in
stantly sets a visitor at ease. His
mind works with lightning rapidity.
His busy brain has been absorbing
and cataloging information during
most of the As years of his life. He
comprehendS a question in flash
and answers with the flowing, un-
hating utterance of a man whose
logged as an April morning after a
shower. He is like the president in
that he never hesitates for the right
word.
Secretary Garrison's one passion is
for outdoor athletics. He plays golf
and tennis, and is yearning for the
time when he can spare an afternoon
and get out to the tennis court or
golf course.
Tells EN- Where to Head In.
In his equity court in New Jersey
Chancellor Garrison gained the repu-
tation of being a martinez. He ex-
planned to me that rigid court pune
tilio made speed in the transaction of
the public business. And it is whis-
pered that Secretary of War Garrison |
has already demonstrated that he is
the boss of the war department. AL |
ready in plain words he has told some
of the brigadier generals where to
head in, but he has done it so decently
that no one has taken offense. But |
there is a mighty, growing respect for