The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-02-09
THE CABINET AND THE SOUTH

1t appears probable that C. H. Hous-
ton of Chattanooga, Tenn, will be
named as secretary of commerce in
the Harding cabinet. Such, in any
case, is the opinion of men who are in
close touch with Mr.. Harding's views.
Mr.. Harding has repeatedly asserted
that he hopes to wipe out the few re-
naming traces of sectionalism and he
is right when he asserts that a repub-
lican president could take no more ef-
fective step than to appoint a leader
in the south's business and economic
life to the cabinet.
Mr.. Huston, who is believed to be
slated for the position of secretary of
comerce, is a man of outstanding bust
ness ability and the appointment of
him to the cabinet would, without
doubt, meet with favor from every
man and woman who has the good of
the south and of the entire country
at heart. The south will reciprocate
Mr.. Harding's spirit of cooperation
even more heartily. if possible, because
of the appointment of Mr.. Houston,
should that appointment become a
fact.
Claudius Hart Huston was born on
farm in Harrison county, Indiana,
Feb. 15, 1876. His father was Column
bus Dewitt Huston, a Presbyterian
minister, and his mother before her
marriage was Margaret Eleanor Mac
Rae, a school teacher.
Before Mr.. Huston was 16 years of
age, he taught a country school as a
substitute, and when 16 years old he
was licensed and was given regular
assignment.
He was educated at Valparaiso, Ind,
where he was entirely self sustaining,
paying his expenses by doing such
work as was offered around the school,
and later by tutoring, was enabled to
complete his education and, it is said
accumulate a small sum of money.
In, 1898 he came to Chattanooga as
an officer and instructor in the Chat
tanooga Normal university. While
engaged in this work he became the
proprietor of the Southern Business
college, and after taking a course IN
shorthand and bookkeeping, he taught
both subjects and operated the school
SO successfully as to attract the at
tention of Chattanooga business men
In 1901 he gave up his profession and
| became secretary and treasurer of the
Chattanooga Machinery company
which, under his management, grew
to large proportions, and later was
merged with the Wheland company
at present one of the largest factories
| in the United States making heavy
sawmill machinery.
Mr.. Huston has never given up his
interest in educational work, and al
present is chairman of the executive
committee of the University of Chat
tanooga. He has served as president
of two leading social clubs, the Y. M
C. A., the Chattanooga Manufacturers
association, the Chamber of Com
merce, tie Inter Church federation
and was general chairman Of the Billy
Sunday committee. He was active ir
all war work, and as chairman of the
fifth Liberty loan drive in the Chatta-
nooga territory was successful in rails
ing the full quota for the district.
In 1914 he was selected by the dele
cation representing the Tennessee
River Improvement association tC
present the argument to President
| Wilson for the location of the nitrate
plant at Muscle Shoals. and also made
the argument before the rivers and
harbors committee of congress for the
location of the government dam on the
Tennessee river.
Mr. Huston presided tthe meet
| ing in Chattanooga in October, wher
President elect Harding addressed the
largest political gathering ever as
sembled in the south.
He is connected officially with 6
large number of commercial interests
These he has, to a great measure, or
ganized and put on profitable basis
after which he would direct his per-
sonal attention to other developments
He is president of the Tennessee Riv-
er Navigation company and the Chat.
tanooga Packet company, the largest
steamboat operators on the Tennessee
river; president of three wholesale
jobbing houses, secretary and treas.
urer Of the Chattanooga Stamping
and Enameling company. vice-presi.
dent ana general manager of the
Athens Table and Manufacturing
(company. president and genera
manager of the Chattanooga Wheel.
barrow company, president Chattanoo