Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-03-07
" ison Names
Newt d. Baker
War Secretary
Former Cleveland Mayor
Chosen for Cabinet Vacancy
Created by Resignation OF
LindIey NJ. Garrison
CBy Associated Press.)

WASHINGTON. March 6.-Newton d.
Baker. former mayor of Cleveland, has
been selected by President Wilson for
secretary of war.
Mr.. Baker has accepted the position
and is now arranging his affairs IN
Cleveland preparatory TO coming to
Washington to take up his duties.
The Selection of Mr. Baker is under
stood to have been discussed by Presi-
cent Wilson with Colonel House today.
When President Wilson was making
Up his cabinet in 1918 he offered the
place of secretary of interior to Mr.. Ba-
ker twice Mr.. Baker then was mayor OF
Cleveland and declined for that reason.
The president and Mr.. Baker have been
close friends for some time and have
corresponded frequently.
Mr. Baker Is said by his friends to
be in close sympathy with the presi-
dents policies and is known to have
had the support of some members of the
cabinet for the war office. When Pres
ident Wilson recently was touring the
middle west on his preparedness pro
gram he saw Mr.. Baker in Cleveland
and had a long talk with him.
Mr. Baker has been in Washington fire.
quently OF late and on his last visit here
said he had not been offered the post
of secretary of war and did not believe
ne would be.
Ever since LiEdley NJ. Garrison resign
ed the president has been seeking a mid
lie western lawyer for the place.
BAKER A REFORMER.
For years Mr.. Baker has been closely
identified with the reform movement in
Cleveland. When Mayor Tom Johnson
died Mr.. Baker took up the fight for
lower street car fares and finally brought
about an adjustment of street railway
franchises in Cleveland.
At the time OF the Baltimore conven-
tion, Mr.. Baker was prominently mem
toned for the vice presidency because
of the fight he made FOR Mr. Wilson.
Mr.. Baker has been known for years
as a leader of the Ohio bar and is highly
regarded 10y the president as a lawyer.
Mr.. Wilson wanted the place filled by
a lawyer because of legal questions con-
istantly arising i'm the administration of
the war department the Philippines. the
Panama canal and Porto Rico.
Mr.. Baker is a member of the state
committee and chairman Of the executive
committee of his county. His past rec
ord has run for public office in Cleveland
out defeat.
Mr.. Baker is understood to have spec
flied when he joined his firm that he
would free for six months prior to the
next election to work for President Will
sons reelection.
The thirty-day period of which Major
General Scott, chief of staff, was desig-
mated of secretary of war adj interim,
will expire March H. 1t is believed
| that Mr.. Bakers nomination will be
sent to the senate before that time.
Mr.. Baker is forty-four years old.
He was born in Martinsburg, w. Va, and
at the age of IS was appointed private
| secretary to Postmaster General Will
son inl President Cleveland's cabinet.
In 1897 he began the practice of law
/ at Martinsburg. He later moved to
/ Cleveland where he became city solicit
/ tor in 1902. He held this office for
/ ten years until his election as mayor.
In 1904 he was reelected mayor for a
! two-year term.
Mr.. Baker has received degrees at
! Johns Hopkins and Washington and
Lee universities.