Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-06

and showed 1t to the Honest Money
League, which had been organized by
gold democrats in that city. Curiously
the particular officer of the league to
whom he talked was Thomas D. Jones.
not long ago nominated by President
Wilson-who subsequently withdrew the
nomination-for membership on the new
federal reserve board. The league re-
printed the work in great numbers and
scattered them broadcast throughout the
country. Later the republican national
committee also reprinted the work and
gave 1t wide circulation. Later in the
campaign Mr.. Roberts wrote another
book, Iowa and the Silver Issue" He
gained a reputation as master of the
subject.
All this brought Mr.. Roberts into close
contact with Mr.. Gage, who was one OF
the large figures in the fight for the single
gold standard. In 1897 Mr.. Gage came to
Washington as Secretary of the Treas
ury. Here he. found tremendous mass
of correspondence on monetary subjects,
the aftermath of the campaign. waiting
for him. A painstaking. thorough execu-
tive, Secretary Gage insisted that every
bit of this correspondence be dealt with
adequately, but he needed qualified as
sistance for the work. He thought of Mr.
Roberts wire was sent to the Fort
Dodge editor asking him if he would
come on and be director of the mint. Mr.
Roberts came. The appointment was
never regarded as a matter of patron
H.
didate for the position and no one ever
Endorsed him for the appointment. except
that the two senators from Iowa were
asked as a matter of courtesy, if they
had objection to his appointment and
they each replied in the negative.
AS director of the mint Mr. Roberts
was in a congenial position. Here he was
dealing in the concrete with the things
which. In the abstract, had formed his
mental diversion. For nine years he re-
manned in the Office, resigning in 1907 to
go to Chicago president OF the Com
mercial National Bank. In 1910 Franklin
MacVeagh, then Secretary of the Treas
ury, felt the need and called him back
to the old position. He has been occupy
ing it ever since.
As Mr.. Roberts name indicates. he Is OF
Welsh extraction. Lloyd-George looks no
more Welsh than he. sturdtly built
studious appearing man. his most notable
feature is pair of extraordinarily bright
and extraordinarily dark brown eyes. Set
In an unlined face. almost pallid in Its
healthy Wilderness. the contrast between
cheeks and eyes is remarkable.
I'VE have" said Mr.. Roberts recently
in reply to some questions on the sub
1ect. been living for something more
than a generation in golden era. For
more than thirty years and up to five
years ago the worlds gold production In
creased wonderfully each year. Five years
ago the rate Of increase began to sag.
and. during the last year, an actual fall
ing of was noted. Thus, while the world
produced about $466. 900 900 worth of gold
in 1912. 1t produced only about $455. OO0, 600
in 1913.
THE output Of gold in the United States
fell of approximately 5000, 900 during the
year our production being only about
5000 600 and the 1912 production also
was lower than the 1918 production"
as the golden age then at an end?"
mot at all The golden era may be
said to have had its beginning with the
development Of the cyanide process of