The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-05-02
CHRISTIAN IDEAL
 AS AN ASSISTANT
 FOR THE PRESIDENT
Previous Training Has Equipped Him to Rank High
 Among Holders of Office
By HARRY WILSON WALKER

By HARRY WILSON WALKER
 Washington, May 1.-(Special)-It is perfectly safe bet that George B. Chris tian, assistant to the President will wear the same sized hat that covered his cranium when he was engaged in news paper work in Ohio at the end of the Harding administration This is only another way of saying he had and will raake good.
 Probably it always will be a question as to who was the greatest secretary Cor as t is now, ascistant) to the President and it will always be a question who Was the greatest President. It used to bs pretty generally conceded riiat Daniel S Ismont, secretary to President Cleve- lard. was the ideal one.
 George Christian had many admirers who believe that he will come near the Lomont record, if he does not surpass it. In the matter of good looks and cnarm of manner he is the equal of any Of hia predecessors. Like his distin- guished chief, he is perfectly natural anG will do things in a natural way, without any fuss and feathers. He will never employ sandwich man to walk in front to carry a placard, announcing,
 This Is the Assistant to the President"
 With the exception of Lamont, MT. CT ristan is thought to have had the best tra lining for his job. Lamont, like Cl..stjan, had experience on small town newspaper. Lamont was assistant to He great journalist. Amos J. Cum nings, as Albany correspondent of the New York Sun. He was secretary to Grover Cleveland, as governor, and was his personal friend.
 M- Christian also had exter ence II a state itol-Columbus-and he went Seistcr Hardings secretary and personal friend. Besides they were next door ,eghbors. Like Lamont, Christian had a very large acquaintance among public men coming to the White House. Chris tian, also like Lamont, learned the art of interviewing while engaged in journal ism which is strictly confined to asking questions, and let the other fellow do the talking. This invariably appeals to the others vanity, and goes to make friends.
 During a visit to Marion, during the campaign I watched MT. Christian in ac- tion, and I could not help thinking, how like the late Dan Lamont" One of the days I was there there was present Chicago man, with splendid past, who
  but yet deserves respect for what he had been, The poor fellow does not realize his mental change but still retains cer- tain sense of humor. This Chicago man had a jumping-jack way of rushing up to every important person about the front porch and starting a rapid-1lre con versation. It seemed as if Jimmy Sloan would have to get busy, when the eA- centric gentleman suddenly centered his activities upon Christian
 Without speaking a word, Christian flashing eyes expressed great sympathy. The man interpreted this as sure in- dication that Christian appreciated him as a. true wit and he was happy during the rest of his Marion visit to give Chrls- tian the benefit of all his society. So far as I could discover, Christian never opened his mouth, but his sparkling eyes seemed to express great appreclation. Christian went on attending to his busi- ness. needless of interruption. Several times when Christian was holding an important conversation the Chicagoan started to break in, but one flash of the eve from Christian always caused the chan to stretch himself, bite his lips, pull his mustache and give every indication of making a supreme effort to controi himself
 Meeting the man shortly afterward In New York, I asked him what ms ophlon was of Mr. Christian.
 ''He possesses Spartan courage" an- swered my friend, as he violently tugged at his white> mustache, land his eyes are as expressive of humor as was the pen of Mark Twain"
 During the Chicago Worlds fair" knew what was coming, and made my es- cape.
 It was right then I made up my mind to lay a bet on George B. Christian. But there were many other reasons. The