Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-24
BAKERS SECRETARY
CALLED FROM CAMP
Summoned to Washington to Aid
Former Chief With
Letter.

Camp Meade. Admiral Md, Aug n
A private in this camp WINS summoned
into Washington few days ago to han-
die an important and urgent matter for
the War Department. That private hap
pened 10 be Ralph Hayes, former psi-
vate secretary for Secretary Of War
Newton -. Baker Hayes, rookie, with
inocuations and vaccinations still com
ing TO him. had to be fitted out In q
hurry 10 enable him To respond to All
order that came directly through hdIu-
tant-G General Mccain himself All speed
records were broken to get h,m off. He
went off smiling and came back smiling
MIR. Baker has plenty OF major grn-
erals and others high IN rank, and high,
too, In his personal regard, but there
was a letter that needed mn answer and
there was no one who knew just So well
what the answer should be IA Hayes
Snatchnp away private secretary ~
something many Of the biggest men in
the country have had to endure, and
MIR Baker rs not standing IN the WAY
of Havcs prospect Of being corporal
or hrst-class private by handing INN
a commission.
KNOWS MANY CENERsts.
That hurry call TO Washington came
when HAYES was having lively time
with hrs fellows Of Company I, I'd Bat
TALON. l5ath Depot Brigade. No one
I'm the crowd takes to soldier life more
than he. Hayes has the distinction of
being the only rockies here who has been
In front line trenches IN France. He
was there with Secretary Baker. No
rookie here has met M many generals
as Hayes Br,gndier- General Douglas
Macarthur he met in France at the
time when he had Just gone over the
top and brought back the helmet OF a
big- headed Bavar,an officer Macarthur,
then chief OF staff OF the Rainbow D1-
VISION, made the RAID along with French
men because 1T would not he Just the
thing for a chief of staff To cross No
Man Land with hrs own raiding forces.
Life here in camp has the charm To
IL that HAYES could not hnd IN othce
captivity IN Washington. He ls %
years old and built for speed and the
outdoor life, although his talents and
tact won HIM a high position IN Wash
ington and made it important for HIM
to continue his work for Mr.. Baker
until the selective draft picked him out
for service here The only difference
between the experience of Hayes and
other draftees is that they are certain
to ha We Sundays for their own enjoy
ment, while he Is apt to get call to
come over To Washington and look over
few letters and explain some Office
matter To his successor
Hayes is a graduate of Western Re
serve University, Cleveland, o. At
college he WAS manager OF the Glee
Club and got a glimpse of real life when
he took his club In a tour of weli-known
hotels Mr. Baker heard about his sue
cess IN such ventures and gave him a
position In his office in Washington.
INCREASED CAMP ACTIVITY.
Thousands of rifles have been issued
TO men of the Depot Brigade, as well
as to the men in the infantry organi-
cations Parades and battalion reviews
are held now every afternoon, and the
camp is again suggesting the days of
the Liberty Division. Bands are being
organized, and from day to day there Is
more music. The 63d Regiment has
find band of experienced players. In
the other organizations there are play
ers in abundance, and good music will
be assured as soon as the bands are
ormed