The sun., 1919-06-29

II cago. who has been APP
L = pointed chief Of revenue
agents to supervise the administra-
ton of the liquor and narcotic law, is
certain TO be one Of the central fg-
ures in the coming prohibition cam
paign Of the United States Govern
ment. He will be in charge Of the en-
forcement Of prohibition in SO far as
it affects the revenue service, and the
prospects are that he will ultimately
take over full control Of this work
with Department Of Justice agents
cooperating.
In any event he will be one Of the
most talked OF men when nationwide
enforcement OF prohibition comes to
the test, and there is naturally keen
interest in the career, the personality
and the ideas Of this man who will
euide the activities OF the Government
along new and untrodden fields.
Judging solely by appearances, Mr..
Mayer is perhaps the last man one
would pick for the important duty of
enforcing a law which is designed to
have such a profound affect on the
habits of so many millions Of Amer
lean citizens. Instinctively one imag-
ines the man at the helm in this gov
ernmental campaign to be an austere,
somewhat tyrannical individual, with
a devotion to every slogan Of the Anti
saloon League and an enthusiasm for
prohibition doctrine SURPRISING even
that Of the typical prohibition lee
turer. 1t would seem offhand as II
Uncle Sans prohibition agent must
necessarily accentuate the character
istics Of the various volunteer agents
who sought to reform the nation long
before the law took hand. The pic
ture Of a mature reformer who has
ever abjured intoxicating drink. to-
bacco in every form. and even coffee
looms up in connection with the Gov
ernments Official prohibition admin
istrator and adviser.
How He Really Looks.
It would therefore surprise many to
enter Mr.. Mayors Office at the Treas
ury Department and find a youthful
clean cut, matter Of fact looking man
putting a cigar, reading over reports
and answering the telephone all at
the same time.
This is Mr.. Mayors secretary, !
presume?" visitors are prone to ask.
mo. I'm Mr.. Mayer" comes the re-
ply with courtesy and politeness de-
spite the rush of other work. Draw
up chair. What can / do for your
Scarcely more than 20 years Of age
Mr.. Mayer is the youngest man who
has ever held a position OF such re-
sponsibility in government service
He has been in his present line OF
work less than Ave years and most OF
this time was devoted to income tax
Investigations. He is now selected to
guide the veteran revenue agents
some $500 in number along new lines
of activity and to provide the head
work and the judgment and the poll
lcies for this branch of the Government
in eliminating violations of the prohi-
bition and narcotic laws. The visitor
ISdillOt uclp WOilusrlHB WHY.
A few minutes conversation with Mr.
Mayer shows seriousness about his
work. tactful moderation Of statement
and a well balanced judgment along
with a rather free and easy manner
But still one wonders why he has been
selected for this particular and i'm
portant post. The explanation Is found
in looking back over Mr.. Mayors brief
but unusual career. He has risen &c
bis present position because he is be-
beved to possess qualifications which
are precisely those needed to meet the
emergency Of making the enforcement
Of the new laws a success, namely
initiative, tact, Judgment and common
sense.
His First Job Full of Thrills.
Chicago. South Side. was the birth
place of Mr.. Mayer less than thirt,
years ago. As a youngster he wen