Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-11
Won L. MEYER


son of a wealthy manufacturing cham
ist. MIR. Never was trained in what was
locally known az the school for poll
ticians," the old Boston common couh-
Gil From that time business and poll
ties largely occupied his life. In the
Massachusetts House of Representatives
he rose to the speakersnlp and in 1899
he became a member of the Republican
National Committee.
Mr.. Movers national prominence be-
gan when, upon the recommendation of
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and the
late Senator George Frisbee Hoar,
President Mckinley named him as AMI
bassador to italy. While in that coun-
try he handled several difficult diplo-
matte problems and accumulated much
information which later proved of val
ue in the maturing of the immigration
policy of the United States. Incidental
~, he was reputed to have converted
King Victor Emmanuel to the use Of
the automobile. He had taken to Rome
his large touring car. When the King
invited the ambassador to visit shoot
ing box 25 miles outside the city, Mr..
Never suggested that they go in his
car The king accepted the suggestion
and was so delighted with the speed
of the trip that he soon acquired a car
for himself.
Mr.. Never was at St. Petersburg
during the trying days of the Ports
mouth peace conference. 1t isrecount-
ed that when the peace ENJOYS reached
the stumbling block of Japan's de-
mands for territorial indemnity Presl-
dent Roosevelt directed Ambassador
Never to see the Russian Emperor in
person and insist upon an agreement
Mr.. Never. however, found diplomatic
suggestions for such an arrangement
ineffective at the Russian foreign office,
where upon he resorted to his favorlte
direct methods and informed the for
eign minister that unless an audience
were arranged before stated hour he
would take his own means OF reaching
the emperor's presence. The audience
was promptly granted and Mr.. Meyer
persuaded the Emperor that the ces-
sion of Saghalien Island to Japan
would not conflict with Russia's deter
mination not to yield an inch of terri
tory, as the island in the remote past
had belonged to Japan.
AS post master general Mr.. Meyer in
troduced more up-to-date business
methods in his department. He was
one of the earliest advocates of the
postal savings system.
The navy department gave Mr.. Meyer
q wide field for the use of his business
instincts. He effected a reorganiza-
ton which did away with much dupli
cation of work and devoted consider
oh trnr
the navy yards In 1911 he visited Eu-
rope and inspected the naval stations
and shipbuildng plants of several
countries.
After his retirement from public office
in 1913 Mr.. Meyer resumed many of his
earlier business connections. His
home was at Hamilton. Mass. where
his figure on horseback was familiar
enc. Having played polo in his young
er days, he was a daring rider.
Throughout his life, he was devoted to
out-of door sports. At Harvard, from
which he was graduated in 1879, he
rowed on his class crew and won med
ais for running. He was vigorous
tennis player and a lover Of fishing.
for many years making annual trips
to the Restigouche for salmon.
MIR Meyer married Alice Appleton Of
Lenox, Mass. in 1885. They had ore
son and two daughters, Captain George
Won l.. Meyer, Mrs. Christopher r. P.
Rogers of Boston and Mrs. Giuseppe
Brambilla of Rome.
Funeral Services Tuesday
Boston. March 10.-Funeral services
for George Won l.. Meyer. former secre-
tary of the navy. who died at his home
here last night. will be held at the Ca
thedral church of ST. Paul in this city
Tuesday afternoon. it was announced
tonight. Bishop William Lawrence Of
the Episcopal diocese of Massachusetts
will officiate. In recognition of Mr..
Meyers services to the navy a detacn-
ment OF bluejackets will serve as active
pass bearers.
The honorary pail bearers will include
United States Senator Henry Cabot
Lodge. Admiral Leigh Palmer. Presi-
dent A. Lawrence Lowell Of Harvard
University, Francis l.. Higginson. Phil
ip Dexter. |. Tucker Burr, Ensign G.. c.
Cutter. jefferson Newbold and ]. a.
Tuckerman. Burial will be at Ham