New Britain herald., 1916-03-06
NEWTON }. BAKER,
 OHIO REFORMER, IS WAR SECRETARY
Choice Of President for Cabinet . Position Vacated By Garrison
 Over Preparedness Issue
APPOINTEE IN SYMPATHY
 WITH THE ADMINISTRATION

He and Executive Have Been Close
 Friends For Some Time and Offer
 of Secretaryship of Interior Was
 Made to Him in 1913 When Wilson's
 Official Family Was Being Crosen-
 k "A Reformer.
 Washington, March 6.-Newton D |. "Iaker, former mayor of Cleveland, has been selected by President Wilson for secretary of war.
 MT. Baker has accepted the posi- ton and is now arranging his affairs in Cleveland preparatory to coming : to Washingtor to take up his duties.
 MT. Baker formerly was mayor of Cleveland. His name had been men, toned in connection with the posi- ton several times. He was offered a place when the cabinet was formed but declined.
 Appointment Discussed With House.
 The election of MT. Baker is under stood to have been discussed by President Wilson with Col. E. M. House soon after the latter's arrival here this morning.
 When President Wilson was making up his cabinet in 1913, he offered the place of secretary of the interior to MT. Baker twice. MT. Baker then was mayor of Cleveland and declined for that reason.
 The president and MT. Baker have been close friends for some time and have corresponded frequently. MT. Baker is, said by his friends to be in close sympathy with the presidents policies and is known to have had the support of some members of the cabinet for the war office.
 When President Wilson recently was touring the middle west on his preparedness program, he saw MT. Baker in Cleveland and had a long talk with him. MT. Baker has been in Washington frequently of late and on his last visit here said he had Sot been offered the post of secretary of war, and did not believe he would be. Ever since Lindley M. Garrison resigned the president has been seek ing a middle western lawyer for the place.
 Neither Affirmed Nor Denied.
 At the White House today it was neither officially confirmed nor denied that MT. Baker would get the place. Officials strongly encouraged the use Df hi. on1 that MT. Baker had been definitely selected.
 The thirty day period for which Ma jor General Hugh l.. Scott, chief of staff, was designated secretary of war ad interim, will expire March II. It iS believed MT. Bakers nomination will be sent to the senate before that time.
 New Man A Years Old.
 MT. Baker is A years old. He was born in Martinsburg, w. ", and at the age of 25 was appointed private secretary to Postmaster General Will son in President ClevelaDd's cabinet. In 1897 he began the practice of law at Martinsburg, but not long there after moved to Cleveland where he became city solicitor in 1902. He held this office for ten years until his election as mayor. Tn 1914 he was reelected mayor for a two year term MT. Baker in July, 1902, married Miss Eliza beth Leopold of PottStoWn, Pa.
 MT Baker has received degrees at I5hn-Hopkins and Washington and Lee universities. For years MT. Baker has been closely identified with the reform movement ir Cleveland and has taken a active part in the street railway controversy there. When Mayor Tom Johnson died, MT. Baker took up the fight for lower street cal sares in Cleveland, argued the case before the supreme court, and finally brought about an adjustment of street railway franchises in Cleveland Mentioned for Vice Presidency.
 At the Baltimore convention, wher President Wilson was nominated, MT Baker was prominently mentioned fol vice presidency because of the fight he made in support of MT. Wilson. He went to the convention as a Wilson supporter, and fought successfully against the application of the unit rule to the Ohio delegation. MT. Baker has been known for years as a leader of the Ohio bar and js highly regarded by the president as a lawyer. MT Wilson wanted the place filled by 2 lawyer because of legal questions con >.sta ntIy arising in tle administration o1 the war department, the Philippines the Panama canal and Porto Rico. s~