New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-07

at this time of life you'll be able 10 make
locomotive out of me-
From 10 until the Secretary is
available for all his regular appointments
He makes it rule to see every one who
has legitimate business, no matter who he
may be- Practically every day he receives
delegations from all parts OF the country or
scores of subjects He listens courteously
and always impresses people with his SIM
cere interest in what they have to say. He
uses the same tone in talking with the
mother of private that he uses with an
ambassador In his conferences with the
newspaper men, which he holds daily, he
treats all the correspondents alike talks
with them frankly, listens to their opinions,
and tries to cooperate with them in the i'm
portant work of telling the people what is
going on in military circles both here and
abroad.
The first callers OF the day are usually
congressman, who come in between 10 and
1850 O'Clock. The sessions on Capitol Hill
convene at noon, and the Senators and Rep
resentatives are obliged to be back in their
respective halls at that time. Following the
legislators come the civilians and business
men in private life. Frequently there arc
so many callers that it seems probable that
some of them will have to be sighted. In
such cases the Secretary comes ont of his
private office, through the stenographic
room, INTO the outer reception room about
II o'clock. There he finds his guests seated
about on the brown davenports that line the
walls. He makes a complete tour Of the
room, listening to every story, and giving to
each a succinct and judicial answer He
has a rare faculty of thinking clearly under
all circumstances. When he speaks he Sc
lects his words carefully. shading MS mean
ing so as to say exactly what he wants TO
say in the precise way he wants it to be UNI
derstood. He is never ambiguous. People
leave him with definite idea of what he
thinks about the subject they have Just pre-
scented to him.
Brain Functions Rapidly
Occasionally he has to keep two stories
in his mind at once. Two men in the cor
ner of the room have come to ask let ~
say, for q powder plant in Louisville Mr..
Baker hears their argument 1t requires
more than brief answer He asks them tn
wait for few minutes. He goes on to tho
next caller and then the next Suddenly he
wheels around and goes back to the powder
men. There is decisive ring in his voice.
Il don't think your plan is feasible" h.,
tells them, and explains exactly WHY .hev
cannot have their Louisville powder plant.
The astonishment of the powder makers
turns to admiration when they discover THAI
he Is fully equipped with all the iacts con
corning powder establishments in the Ohio
Valley, and that he has actually thouoh+
over their proposition in the few minutes
that have elapsed. He has this ready store
of facts at his command because, by his
system Of delegating tasks, he il relieved
Of much detail, but is kept fully informed
by assistants, so that he ALWAYS has yan.
eral knowledge of what is going on in each
division of the department. In addition 70
the three Assistant Secretaries OF War
there are three special assistants. priyata
secretaries. clerks, and so on. Mr.. Baker
assumes responsibility for all the depart
ment heads. They keep him informed and
constantly call on him for decisions.
AS soon as possible after the Secretary
leaves his office and a machine takes hin,
home to luncheon with Mrs. Baker and the
th'ee youngsters-Betty aged twelve;
Jack, aged eleven, and Peggy. who is six
years old. Luncheon is a verv informal,