Omaha daily bee., 1921-06-26

was something VI PSA PAC.ss W."
him because his architects had ar
ranged special Offices for Lasker.
Together they had looked forward to
the formal dedication of the new es-
tablishment. Then Mr.. Harding
stepped in and now Wrigley IS
reconciled to patronizing the Pull.
mans between Lake Michigan and
the banks of the Potomac.
Lasker begins his difficult under
taking without large promises. ne
has contented himself with the SIM
ole statement that he is alive to the
size of the task on which he has en-
barked. He believes in America,
however, and he regards an Ameri-
can merchant marine as essential to
the welfare of the nation. He pro-
noses 10 fulfill Ills allotted portion OF
the great responsibility Of bringing
order out of chaos in the boards Of
fees in Washington. better under
standing out of distrusts and disgust
in many quarters Of the shipping
world; business to American lines
where now empty cabins and hold:
are breeding Encouragement and
disappointment.
Was Gawky Texan.
"Aw Lasker went to Chicago from
Texas before he was 2l-a tall.
gawky southwesterner, full OF the
breeze of his native prairies and ex-
uding an atmosphere that told peo-
ole his middle name was hustle. He
began as an office boy and stenog-
rapher in the Lord & Thomas Ad-
yertising agency. He hadn't been
there many months before Mr.. Lord,
the founder and then presiding
genius Of the business, realized the
Lone Star state youngster was
very unusual citizen.
At first Lasker had charge OF the
correspondence of minor depart
ment. Then he took charge of the
department. Later more important
department was placed under his su.
! pervision. He devoured work, and
like Oliver Twist, insisted on more.
He got it, and success seemed to
smile instantaneously on everything
he tackled. A junior partnership
was offered him. A few years later
the original partners in the business.
having made their pile, retired.
Lasker was the natural heir to the
business, which had expanded to
p-ooort:o:s nevc1 be.o:e know: IN
t. history, u.6e: his :ade!ar:gab!e
guidance.
Pride ii Ju1s:sza-
Today he i. Lord & Thomas"
| controlling its affairs absolutely and
deriving > gigantic income frem It.
Next to his passion for business,
"hr' Lasker's hobby is his pride m
Judaism. He is : member OF the m
! fuentiai and highly representative
Jewish National committee. which
| last winter issued a vigorous mani-
festo against Henry Fords attacks
on the Jews. Lasker's appointment
may be regarded deliberate trib-
ute BY Mr.. Harding to Americas
large Jewish community.
Lasker likes going up against
tough propositions. He knows the
shipping board proposition IS tough
with a big ct" He was anxiou: to
heip the president out in what had
become an obvious embarrassment
to find man willing to take the
chairmanship.
Somebody has got to stand up
| and let himself he shot at is the
way Lasker put, it to his friends,
"and I'm willing to be elected"
Lasker is a shrewd bargainer, has
utter contempt for pettifogging de.
tails, makes rapid-fre decisions, and
works Is hours a day. He will go to
the shipping board mess like Demp-
sew enters the ring, with his two
fists. determined to get action and
results without any unnecessary time
being wasted.
Cubs to Marion.
He has been base ball fan all
his life. He and Wrigley own the
Chicago Cubs. Lasker took the Cubs
to Marion last summer.
He's the most democratic cuss
alive, talks blue streak and does 1t
we'll and likes Hiram Johnson. He
paid large hunk of Hiram's Chi
cago convention campaign expense
in June, 1920. Many of the 6. Q. ?.
slogans in 1920 sprang from Lasker's
advertising brain.
The new chairman enters upon his
duties with an idea that he has big
selling proposition to get across. He
is aware that it has been grossly
mismanaged in the past, but he
thinks ordinary rules of business
and generous applications Of COM
mon sense will succeed in govern
mental affairs as in the everyday at
fairs of commerce.
In the past he has undertaken to
sell commodities which others said
would not sell. He succeeded.
His love of base ball and his be-
lief in the permanency of the game
led him to apply his genius to a
solution of difficulties while the
mourner's bench was pronouncing
the ritual Of the dead. He conceived
and put across with the fans and the
magnates the Lasker plan,
Faith In Him.
Washington believes Lasker will
succeed, if the politicians leave him
alone. President Harding is deter
mined that they shall. He has given
him a free hand. He wants some
thing beside congressional inquiries
to thrive on the enormous investment
the American people have in the mer-
chant marine. Although Lasker's
task ultimately will be largely one of
disposing Of the government-owned
vessels to the best advantage of the
merchant marine and the payers of
income taxes, there are administra-