Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-04-09
WHARTON BARKER
DIES At AGE OF "A
Noted Financier and Trustee Of
University Of Pennsylvania
nOce Led Populists
BUILT CzAR'S SHIPS HERE

Wharton IInri"r. hanhcr. economist
editor and lncc pCpulist candidate 70,
tho presidency. died at his home. Wal
Garden. Port ROYAL avenue. Roxbor
"ugh. shortly before o'clock this
morning.
Tho funeral will take place Tuesday
~ II O'Clock from his homo in RoX
borough. lntcrmcnt will hc private.
Mr.. Barker was seventy four years
nld. and his illncss and death wcrc not
unexpected. Tie had boon seriously i'll
for two weeks and had been IN pooi
. health for several months His family
wns at his bedside when death came.
Presidential Candidate
Forty years ago Wharton Barker
was an international figure in the
financial world and his influence and
activity continued on broad scale for
many Years thereafter.
In 1898 hc was nominated for PrcSi-
don't by tho Popuist party at con-
v"ntion held two years before the nlcc-
ton. In tho campaign of 1000 hc op-
posed Mckinley and Bryan. tho Rcpub
lican and Democratic candidates.
Mr.. Parker pollcd about 10000 votes
throughout the country. the majority
coming from states IN the South Texas
alone gave him 10000 votes.
On November ~. 1911. tcstifying at
Washington before the Senate commit =
toe on Interstate commerce Mr.. Barker
quoted conversation he had Ind thrcc
or four weeks before the Presidential
election Of 1904 with banker Of
world prominence. who. hc broadly in
timatcd. was The late +. II. Hartman.
Tho banker. Mr. Barker testified, had
told him tho "moury powers had been
plannng tho election Of Alton Il.
Parker as President. but had arranged
N deal" with Theodore Roosevelt
whereby tho railroads would gain cnor
nous advantages If Mr.. Roosevelt went
to the White House.
Mr.. Barker said hc did not believe
his informant nj the time. but later.
months after Roosevelt had been in
auguratcd. he wrot" to tho President
ard said that events had shown tho
banker spoke the truth.
This sensational testimony was char
actcrizcd ms IN pipe dream" by Mr..
Roosevelt shortly aftCrward.
Long a Penn Trustee
One of Mr.. Rarkcr's distinctions was
that he was the second oldest member
Vt the board Of trustees Of tho Inivcr-
Sity Of Pennsylvania. His time Of s"rv-
ice was exceeded only bv that Of Charles
Custis Harrison. Mr.. Barker had been
trustee since 1880. AS n trustee he
was outspoken for freedom of speech
among tn" faculty Of the University.
The noted financier and economist
was born in this city May |. 1916. the
son Of Abraham Barker. n millionaire
banker ard shipownor. After pro
liminary education at Charles Shorts
school he entered tho University Of
Pennsylvania and was graduated in
1866. II" entered his fathers banking
house. Barker Bros. & Co.. Sixth and
Chestnut streets, the following year.
In Confidence OF Gar
In 1873 h" was made confidential
agent for whrt was then the imperial
Russian Government.
In tho late ninctics. Mr.. Barker was
largely responsible for the building of
part of the Russian 'ncw navy" ns
it was then called. at Philadelphia. He
n"tod as host and guide TO technical
committee Of Russian naval officers and
90 convinced them Of the ability and
Workmanship of Philadelphia shipyards
that the contracts for II number of their
ships were placed hero.
Later Car Alexander made him n
knight Of the Order of st. StanisIuus.
In recent years, in his private office
on South Fourth street. Mr.. Barker.
whom in reminiscent mood, would rc-
count some of his experiences in Russia
in connection with mining and railroad
development there.
Aficr llarrison's election il was ap
Crcn secret that Mr.. Blrkct expected
t" hc name sccrctcry Of the treasury,
liut in giving cabinet place 10 n
PCnnSylN anan the Prcsidcnt selected
John Wanan'l icr, appointing him post
master general.
Som" wears later Mr.. Bnrkcr threw