The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1916-03-10
n. D. BAKER NAMED
AS WAR SECRETARY
President Appoints Cleveland
Man to Succeed Garrison.
FAv0RS WILSON'S POLICY
Was College Pupil Of Executive and
Supporter of Tom Johnson--An-
nounces That He Will Ac-
cept Cabinet Post.

Washington, March 7.-Newton d.
Baker, former mayor of Cleveland,
has been selected by President Wilson
as secretary of war to succeed Lindley
M. Garrison. Mr.. Baker was the first
choice of the president a month ago,
but in his endeavOr to verify his orig
inal decision that Mr.. Baker was the
best available man for the place, the
president has canvassed a number of
other persons, including Thomas d.
Jones of Chicago.
Baker Accepts the Position.
Mr.. Baker was follower of Mayor
Tom Johnson of Cleveland when the
latter was in the height of his power.
He was subsequently elected mayor
himself. He recently declined to run
again. Mr.. Baker was a Wilson sup
porter in the Democratic convention
at Baltimore and is understood to
have declined appointment as secre-
tary of the interior three years ago.
Mr.. Baker has accepted the position
and is arranging his affairs in Cleve-
land preparatory to coming to Wash
ington to take up his duties.
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 presidents
policies and is known to have had tho
support OF several members of the
cabinet for the war office.
Events in Life of Baker.
Mr.. Baker is forty-four years old.
He was born at Martinsburg, w. Va,
and at the age of twenty-five was ap-
pointed private secretary to POstmas-
ter General Wilson in President Cleve-
lands cabinet. In 1897 he began the
practice of law 1T Martinsburg, but
not long thereafter moved to Cleve-
land, where he became city solicitor
in 1902 He held this office for ten
years until his election as mayor
after the death of Tom L. Johnson.
In 1914 he was reelected mayor for
a two-year term. Mr.. Baker in July.
1902, married Miss Elizabeth Leopold
of Pottstown, Pa.
Mr.. Baker has received degrees
from Johns Hopkins and Washington
and Lee universities. For years Mr..
Boxer has been closely identified with
the reform movement in Cleveland
and has taken an active part in the
street railway controversy there as
Mayor Johnson's chief lieutenant in
the fight for lower fares.
At the time of the Baltimore conven-
ton when President Wilson was NOM
mated Mr.. Baker was prominently
mentioned for the v1ce-presidency be-
cause of the fight he made in support
of Mr.. Wilson.
Mr.. Baker has been known for years
as a leader of the Ohio bar and is
highly regarded by the president as
a lawyer.
Baker Expresses Gratitude.
Cleveland, O., March TT have
nothing to say except that l feel COM
plimented by the presidents conf
dence. 1 am deeply grateful and ap-
preciate what he has DONE"
These were the words of Newton
Diehl Baker, former mayor, when
asked for a statement regarding his
appointment by President Wilson as
secretary of war. Mr.. Baker confirmed
his acceptance and then continued
arguing a law suit in the common
pleas court, in which he was engaged
when word came to him that his ap-
pointment had been announced.
Mr.. Baker was student under Pres
ident Wilson when the latter was an
instructor at Johns Hopkins univer-
sity. Baker came here from West Vir-
ginia in 1902.