The New York herald., 1921-03-04

or more informal receptions In their
hotel suite for old friends.
Mr.. Harding made the announcement
OF the appointment OF Mr.. Davis as Sec
retary OF Labor with unconcealed salts
faction. He paid a warm personal
tribute TO Mr., Davis and incidentally
let It be known for the first time pub
licly that although the last to be an
nounced. Mr.. Davis had been almost a
certainty from the beginning. Mr.. Davis
called on Mr.. Harding at Marion in re-
ply to a summons from the President
elect a short time after the election. but
the fact escaped public notice at the
time. Since then Mr.. Harding has been
testing his qualifications and has found
them tc measure up to the standards he
required,
Although j have just formally ac-
cepted the appointment and have no
knowledge OF the department as Il a
now run ! can say / shall be at the
disposal OF the country and will give
efficient service. / have been assured ~
The President-elect that he will support
me in my efforts TO make the department
n useful branch OF the Govern ment ser
vice, and with this assurance l shall
take hold with the determination to do
the best can"
George B. Christian, Jr.. who Is TO be
private secretary to the new President.
enjoys an unusually intimate relation
ship with his chief. AS a youth he was
a cub reporter on Mr.. Harding's news
paper the Marion Star. His father, Col.
George b. Christian, is a we'll to do con-
tractor of Marion and a veteran OF the
civil war. The younger Christian early
demonstrated keen interest In politics
and once was candidate for Congress
on the Democratic ticket. He Is married
and has two sons: the older, Warren.
named for the President-elect, is grad
uate of West Point and is lieutenant
in the regular army. Mr.. Christian nas
been private secretary to Mr.. Harding
since he became a member OF the United
States Senate.
The arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Harding
was without any Unusual display and In
keeping with Mr.. Harding's wishes for
as little ostentation as the occasion de-
mands. There is reason to believe that
Mr. Hardings request to be brought into
Washington a half hour ahead of sched-
ule was to forestall any demonstration.
At 5 o'clock Mr.. Harding met the
newspaper men resident In Washington
who will report the accomplishments Of
his Administration FOR the next four
years. Most of them he knew, but the
occa sion, and to them Mr.. Harding said !:
Il am just newspaper man myself.
thought we might start on little
better footing if l might greet you as
a member of the craft. | haven't any
thing to say to you to-day, except to
extend an invitation for your friendly
consid GRAFTON. and as citizens. your CO.
operation. ! haven't any news because
the persistent group that has followed
me for the last couple of months has
continually taken everything from me.
IL hope as early as / may make ar
rangements to bring about relationship
so you win be in touch with the Chief
Executives establishment. 1 promise
you every courtesy. You will be just
as welcome in our new Relationship as
you have been before
There appears TO be a large number
of you here. l hope soon to be able
to call you by name. but / can't do that
right away. ! remember it took me
some time when ] became member of
the Senate to recall the names Of my
fellow Senator'S"
The call at the White House was
made just before o'clock President
and Mrs. Wilson received Mr.. and Mrs
Harding in the Blue Room of the man
sion, where tea was served. The call
lasted about twenty minutes. during
which time Mr.. Harding congratulated
Mr.. Wilson on his improved condition
of health, and expressed his hope that
the Improvement would continue. Mrs.
Wilson talked some of the feminine side
Of White House administration and
described the new home on S street, to
which she and Mr.. Wilson will move
Tomorrow