Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1921-05-19

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The war was too big Co permit any
man TO become its overshadowing fig
urc. on the other hand. it's bigness
swept men, hitherto but little known
% the multitude of their fellows. into
places of prominence and tremendous
responsibility.
Men were caught up out of private
life. from commercial. Industrial and
professional vocations. and practically
consCripted hy national need for public
service.
Some 81 these men. holding offices
which had sought them out and con-
strained them 20 assume their bur-
dcns. presently found themselves the
ahicsss OF criticism and abuse on the
part ~ factions OF the people and the
nress 10 was ungcncrous 10 men who
we're giving themselves with an utter
devotion Co their country; but they
took Il hravcly and patiently and in
sbod humor. and went on with their
uhs. content % let events yindicate
them, as events did.
The mon "a charge 4 the most inn
portant special activities of the war
trade and war Industries boards. the
shin inQ board the food and fuel adj
mlnistratlons, and alien property eusto-
dian formed WITH the secretaries Of war.
navy and treasury. sort 81 special
council. which met frequently with the
PRESIDENT and which was. though inn
nrhpcrly, called by many newspapers
4gfft Tferaafa -
member az It was William g. McAdoo,
who. as secretary of the treasury.
struck the rock 81 credit and revenue
nd made abundant money gush forth
o. meet the needs 81 our own mobiliza-
tion aud of the operations Of our allies.
Praise Tor NcAdoo and Baker
Tlis record viii Tor al time make him
4 ngurc ranking second 10 not one Of
the great men who preceded him in that
great office. Hamilton and Gallatin and
ull the famous secretaries OF the treas
ury solved important financial problems,
int. in the magnitude Of the task, not
ono az them had such world financing
fa carry out as Mr. MeAdoo accom-
llishod so brilliantly.
flut no man IN that war council viii
grow SO much tn the perspective of his
tory as Newton ID. Baker. secretary of
war. ! was IN intimate daily associa-
tiou with him. I knew his large grasp
Of the problems with which we had to
deal and his whole-hearted devotion to
duty. I could appreciate his broad Wis
ION and his scrupulous sense Of just
Toe.
Ills task was far greater than that Of
stanton. hut he showed no less ability |
-. a.. q.
with the great ability went a charity.
Kindness and courtesy which won him
the esteem and conidedce Of all his
colleagues.
Ny most happy recollections of those
crucial DAYS il my intimate association |
with Newton d. Baker. He does not
] now what playing to the gallery, self
seeking or pretense are. lie shouldered
every so-called error Of others in the
field and department. and, with a gen
orous spirit. gave support 10 those who
were intrusted with important duties.
! want, IN the remainder OF this article. |
"a write OF those men, referred % in my |
FIRST paragraph. whom the war picked |
M and put Ia posts Of burdensome OBJ |
ligation--at least TO write of such Of /
them as became with us members Of |
The war cabinet"
~Barney~ Baruch Leading Figure.
The story Of the war industries board /
has been told. happily. so that he man /
Who will write the real history OF the /
war the may not yet have put his pen /
"a paper can grasp the magnitude of 1
ihs mobilization Of industries under the /
able direction OF its head, Bernard NJ. /
Baruch. lie had made his fortune in /
Wall street. buying stocks when they /
were low and selling them when they /
were high--the secret OF success in that
center Of making and losing fortunes in /
4 day.
There was some dlstrust in Washing
ton Of the idea Of putting "a Wall street l
speculator" In charge Of this giant job /
hen the president first asked Mr.. i
Isaruch 20 undertake the direction of the |
var Industries board. But as his grasp /
md greatness. bis industry and patience.
hls foreetfulness Of his own interests
were merged into his passion for public
service. the feeling Of doubt gave way
Ia one OF admiration, confidence and re-
.pect. As z result Barney" Baruch
emerged from the war as one of its
leading figures. and he added to his