The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-05
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The late Mr. Harding never had a political enemy who would re- frain from declaring that he was man of infinite charm. The same In great part is true o: Harry S. New, postmaster general
 They swear atahis politics, but admit that he's fine fellow after all.
 It might or might not be sig nificant that Harding and New served their apprenticeships as newspaper men, and thus came to understand and appreciate human nature, and sympathize with its manifold weaknesses.
 Mir Harding. despite his presi- dential duties. was, unto the end a newspaper man. The same will be true of MT. New when he calls for his passport over the Styx.
 ing his talent and gratifying hts passion for self expression in is- suing daily to the press very clev- erly written semi-news stories re- lating to the postoffice depart ment. Some of them are entirely human interest tales; others have distinct news value.
 It is known that Mir. New finds great delight in their preparation.
 Elijah Halford was managing editor of the Journal when he was made private secretary to Presi- dent Benjamin Harrison. Mir. New succeeded to the vacancy.
 Years ago the father of the postmaster general owned the In- .dianapolis Journal. now the Star. At that time the Journal made a speciality of It's literary edition, is- sued Saturday afternoons. Young New took great interest in this edition. It became a receptable for the efforts of all young au- thors of the day.
 Charles Major, whose When Knighthood was in Flower" was one of the earlier Indiana suc- cess, was a regular contributor. General Lew Wallace, author of Ben Hur," frequently wrote for 1t. Benjamin F. Parker. not 80 we'll known but a man of talent, published in the Journal poetry of distinct merit. Probably the most outstanding product of the Journals literary miu was James Whitcomb Riley, whose verses are known wherever the language is known.
 He had previously been city ed itor. As managing editor he con- tinued his fine art of making newspaper men, and the Journal became a recruiting station for the big newspapers of Chicago.
 It is said that no former re- porter of the Journal went to Chicago and failed to land job if he could say that New had trained him and had been satisfied with the result.
 But then New entered politics, and the spell was broken. He be- came the political friend of many and the political enemy of as many more. His life became one of ups and downs, ins and outs Thus, only last year, he was defeated In ' the senate. He was instantly made a member of the Harding cabinet, and is still serving in the Coolidge cabinet.
 In the senate he spoke seldom, but had something to say when he spoke. He Is man of fine abil- ity, it Is not denied even by Demo- crats. And further, he is regarded as one of the most "lilsable."
 The postmaster general, during periods. goes fishing. Hours he sits watching the corok which seldom pebbles. He ap- pears to be indifferent as to whether the fish bite or not.
 It is possible that Mir. New fs recalling the old days when he was a newspaper man, and, with out an enemy on earth. had as as- sociates some of the most jolly and lovable and talented people the country has produced.