Evening star., 1921-04-17
BY JAMES A. BUCHANAN.

~ NE of the most important
executive positions under
our form Of government is
that of secretary to the
President. Few persons throughout
the length and breadth of the land
appreciate the Importance of having
the position of secretary to the Presi-
dent flled by man who must pos
sess not only the qualifca tdons of a
diplomat of the first order, but also
one endowed with great political
acumen-political acumen particularly
as it relates to American politics.
In no other country in the world
are politics conducted in similar
manner. With the two foregoing at
tributes there must be combined a
real love of fellow man and homely
conception of the rights of the citi-
zen. and sort of big brother affec-
ton that will aid in getting the view
point of the so-called common peo-
pie.
The people Of this country did not
until the entrance of the late Grover
Cleveland into the White House fully
appreciate the necessity of having as
private secretary to the President
man possessed of more than ordinary
ability. Daniel w. Lamont. who
served as secretary to Mr.. Cleveland,
by. his mastery handling of delicate
situations brought the position into
far greater Importance than it had
ever occupied before, The next in
cumbent of the Office was George B.
Cortelyou. courteous, suave and
highly efficient man. The manner in
which Mr.. Cortelyou assisted Presi-
dent Mckinley during the trouble
some years that he occupied the
White House not only won for him
the plaudits of both political parties
and the people of the country. but
eign countries.
X X X
Mr. LOEB. with President Theodore
-'A Roosevelt, was handicapped be-
cause of the dynamic qualities pos
sessed by his chief. and yet. despite
the fame Of the late T. R.. Mr.. Loeb
made an excellent impression upon
those with whom he came in contact.
For eight years Joseph =. Tumulty
occupied the position of secretary to
the President of the United States,
and even those who were not success
full in securing what they wanted
from the Wilson administration were
compelled to acknowledge that Mr..
Tumulty had treated them most cour-
teously. 1t is of more than passing
Importance to state that all of these
men. when they left the White House.
entered upon most successful business
careers. The position not only brought
-
human nature, but also gave them the
knowledge of many subjects which
made them valuable acquisitions to
corporations. banking institutions. etc.
Warren G. Harding was particularly
fortunate in selecting George Busby
for Christian brought to the President
a pleasing personality. a thorough
knowledge of the workings of the
United States Senate and House of
Representatives, knowledge gained
during the troublesome days Of the
great war. He also brought with
him a desire to SO I'LL the position
that the Harding administration
might be most successful; and he fur
ther brought an intense devotion to
his friend and fellow townsman for
years-Warren G. Harding. Chris
tian's devotion to the President is
like that of Damon and Pythias. The
men are bosom friends. They think
and act along the same lines: they
have the same old-fashioned regard
for the rights of others: they are fond
OF the same amusements. and they
are both intensely earnest.
George Christian for years had one
main thought and that was to aid
IN every manner possible to make
his friend President. and it is an open
ber of years ago. while talking with
number Of politicians in the Buck
eve state. declared with decided en-
phasis that some day Harding would
occupy the White House. This state
ment was uttered with such deep
in the minds of many that Harding
was of presidential timber. So. step
by step, we find that the now secre-
tary to the President never lost an
opportunity to emphasize Mr.. Hard
ing's fitness for the position.
Mr.. Christian was born in Marion
county. Ohio. on March 25. 1873. He
has been resident of that county
all his life. His early education was
secured in the grammar and high
schools OF the city Of Marion. he lat
er attended the Pennsylvania Military
graduated in 1895. with a degree of
civil engineer. Returning to Marion.
he entered upon a business career.
becoming, in the course Of time. the
assistant secretary. the secretary. the
assistant general manager and then
Christian Lime and Stone Company.
In 1907. he became the general sales
manager Of the White Sulphur Stone
Company, retaining that position un-
til 1915. He became secretary to Sem
ator Harding upon the latter's cleo
ton to the senatorship March 4.
1915. continuing in that capacity un-
til March 4, 1921. when he became
secretary to the President.
MR.. CHRISTIAN was appointed a
A'A member Of the board Of trustees
of the Girls Industrial Home. at
Delaware. Ohio. by Gov. George K.
Nash. He was reappointed by Gov.
Myron r. Herrick. and again reap
pointed by Gov. Judson Harmon. the
latter a democrat. He was also at
one time a member of the school
board at Marion.
When he was nineteen years of
age he Joined the Presbyterian
Church. He is member of the
blue lodge. council. chapter and
Knights Templar of the Masonic
order. He holds membership cards
in the Marion Club and the Athletic
Club of Columbus. Ohio. In 1897 he
married Miss Stella Farrar of Shelby:
Ohio. They have two sons. one OF
them, Lieut.. Warren w. Christian
Of the United States Army. is now
stationed in New York. and the other.
John F: Christian. is clerk OF the
writer's