Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-23
BERRY AND BRYAN
Collector Of Customs Is Strong Friend
OF Man From Nebraska--Storles
OF Well-known Men
COLLECTOR of Customs william II

1 OLhhCIoH of Customs william ii
- berry was being congratulated the other
day py friends on resumng activities after
oeing confined at home by illness. But he
iaugnlngiy brushed aside the sympathetic
remarks and insisted that his only trouble
was an old fashioned" but persistent cold.
In spite of the fact that he has been under
the weather the collector carries his years
easily, although, he seems more mellowed
ana subdued Berry than the man who
stirred up the politics of the state in such
vigorous style only few years ago.
Berry has always had a great fondness
Tor. William Jennings Bryan, and IL the
commoner should finally toss his hat in the
ring 1t would seem strange il the man from
Chester did not line up with the man from
Nebraska. The irony of politics was illus
trated in the appointment of Berry to the
coilectorship. He had the friendship of
Bryan, of course, but A. Mitchell Palmer
and Vance Mccormick were the dispensers
OF patronage in Pennsylvania. Berry, who
would sooner fight than eat was eager to
make the run for Governor of Pennsylvania.
lie had carried the commonwealth for state
treasurer and felt sure that he could win
the governorship. But Palmer and his as
soclate had other fish to fry. Their pro-
gram was Mccormick for governor and
Palmer for United States senator. The
question was how to get rid Of Berry. He
was "shelved'' by making him collector of
customs, and a mighty comfortable "shelf"
It has proved, with two terms in the most
important federal position in Pennsylvania.
THERE is no pretense about Berry. He
- had no knowledge Of the intricacies of the
tarlf and the complex regulations of the
customs service. He told a friend at the
ha IL, II. ,a1s
tications he had for the post were integrity
and common sense. After he had taken the
oath of Office he proved that he was the
possessor of the second named trait by re-
tanning expert assistants as the heads of
the important departments of the custom
house. He devoted his owD time to famili
arizing himself with the men under him and
with obtaining a general knowledge of the
business, which in this district covers all OF
Pennsylvania east of the mountains and
most of New Jersey and Delaware.
One day an excited custom house broker
came to him to protest against one of the
rulings of the department and to ask him
to give an opinion upon a difficult point of
the revenue laws. He looked at the man
quizzically, and said in drawing way:
My friend, I'll have to pass that up to
better authority. I cannot answer it.
But if you want to have a discussion upon
prohibition or the silver question I'll
guarantee to talk you to a standstill."
THE appointment of the collector Of GUS
l. toms in Philadelphia is always looked
upon as the supreme test of political power
and leadership. in Pennsylvania. William
+. Harrity was the Democratic national
chairman when Cleveland was elected Presi-
dent the second time, and it was understood
that Harrity would have the dispensing of
the patronage in this state. Accordingly,
he recommended John r. Read for collector
Of customs. Read was distinguished
lawyer who had been United States at
torney and a close friend of Samuel J.
Tilden. He was we'll fitted for the position,
but his nomination was held up for many
months. Some of Harritys factional op-
ponents, headed by Congressman William
McAleer had presented the name of rival
candidate for the post. Harrity stood pat.
He had the Presidents promise that he
should name the new collector, and he pro-
posed to rest on that. Finally the Presi-
dent sent for Mr.. Harrity and explained
the situation.
II think" he concluded 1T might be
a good thing to make a compromise in order
to satisfy these people. We are going h,
assume that Mr.. Read is out Of it, and
I've sent for you in order to have YOU
give me the name OF your second choice for
the collectorship."
There was pause, and then the ma
tional chairman said in very positive
tone:
MY second choice for this place is John
r. Read. He is my first second third
and only choice. I hope, Mr.. President
he may be your choice, too"
He loft thp White IIOuCn opd tooi, +Lo
next train home. The following day Mr.
Cleveland sent to the Senate the name
of John r. Read to be collector of customs
WHEN Mckinley was President, Quay
w and Penrose recommended @. Wesley
Thomas for the coectorship A dispatch
forecasting the selection aroused some of
the Independent Republicans of the state
A delegation was sent to Washington to
make a protest and to urge the appointment
of Major Hancock for the place. One Of
the members of the delegation was Rudolph
Blankenburg. They were "loaded for bear
as the saying goes, but the manner in which
President Mckinley handled this delicate
situation illustrates the cleverness with
which he ran his administration.
The spokesman of the delegation made a
vehement attack upon the proposed ap-
polntee. he haIu tnst ne was politician
and that what they wanted was the selec-
tion of business man who would have
the confidence Of the community.
"Can you say anything against the
character of this gentIeman?' asked the
President mildly.
"No," was the frank acknowledgment,
"we have nothing whatever to say against
his integrity. He is clean, but we do not
think that he is the type of man for the
place. We should have man who will
suit the business interests
A FTER the spocchmaking had been con
n cluded. and the members of the party
felt that they had riddld the pretensions
of Mr.. Thomas the President in his most
persuasive manner asked the visitors if tbev