The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-02

Washington, Jan. 2. - Oscar T,
Crosby, assistant secretary of the
treasury and a member of the mis-
sion from this country to the Paris
conference, has been chosen chair
man of the inter-allied council to
take UP questions Of war purchases
and finances. He, will make his
headquarters either in Paris or in
Washington.
Oscar T. Crosby was we'll known
before coming to Washington last
April to become assistant secretary
of the treasury under McAdoo.
Crosby has charge Of the direction
OF the fiscal bureaus of the govern
ment, involving loans which the gov
eminent obtains from its own citi-
zens as well as loans which 1t makes
to foreign governments. 1t was be-
cause of his knowledge Of fiscal mat
tiers that he was designated to repre-
sent the treasury department on the
mission headed by Colonel House.
Crosby is in the thick of the finan-
cial fight which the allies are wag-
ing to defeat Germany, but it is de-
clared here by those that best know
him that he would much prefer mill
tary service.
Prefers Military Duty.
When he assumed the assistant
secretaryship of the treasury on
April II last, as the successor OF
William P. Malburn, he accepted
with the understanding that he was
to be released for military duty, If
he were needed, for he is a major In
the officers reserve corps. Thus far
the government has needed him more
In the treasury department than IL
has in the army.
While Crosby has a military edu-
cation, he is also known to the pub
lie as an electrical railway expert,
an explorer OF note, as a director or
relief work abroad, as a writer on
explorations and labor troubles. He
has taveled extensively. His fear
Iessness, bravery and pluck have
often been demonstrated in his ex-
plorations, in personal and in every
day life.
Crosby was born in Ponchatoula,
La, on April Fl, 1861. He was
graduated from West Point in 1882.
After serving five years as an engl-
neer officer, he resigned from the
army to take up electrical work.
This work first brought him TO
Washington, for it was under his
supervision that the Washington
railway anu EAAbNAAA1 SbAAR0Ag 49,
organized.
And now comes what was perhaps
the most interesting part of his life,
from the standpoint of the general
public, In 1898 and 1899 Crosby
made an exploration in Abyssinia,
crossing from the east coast OF
Africa and Somaliland to the Khar-
tum, then coming down the Nile to
Cairo. In 1902 he made an explora-
ton in Central Asia, crossing the
Caspian sea, then taking the Rus
sian railway to Samark and BuS-
hara. He organized caravan In
Russian Turkestan, and proceeded
to cities in the Taklamakan desert
to q point where he found 1t impos-
sibIe to ascend to the Tibetan pla-
teau. After many. days of varying
difficulties, his small party which
consisted OF an offlcer of the French
army and few natives, was rescued
from a situation which would have
meant death to all Of the party in
few days.
In the journey I'm Africa, he cross
ed a lot Of unexplored land and so in
Tibet. Portions of the northwestern
part OF the Tibetan plateau were ex-
oIored for the FIRST time by his party.
He In the author OF book, Through
Tibet and Turkestan." which tells Of
mis- travels.
Drove Wagon to Basdad.