Evening star., 1923-08-15
NAMES
SLEMP SECRETARY
Former Virginia Republican
Leader Will Succeed
George Christian.

c. Bascom Slemp of Big Stone Gap.
Va, former representative in Congress
and for a number of years republican
national committeeman, has been ap-
pointed secretary TO President Cool
iGge to succeed George B. Christian,
jr., who served in that capacity dur
ing the administration of the late
President Harding.
Formal announcement of this was
made at the White House late yes
terday afternoon. Mr.. Slemp will not
assume his duties st the White House
until September L. In the meantime
he will have had opportunity to ad-
just his private affairs. Until that
time Mr. Christian will continue to
serve.
Secretary Christian rendered his
resignation to President Coolidge last
Friday in Marion. Ohio. He said to-
day that he expects to remain in
Washington for some little time rest
ing UP before going into private busi-
ness, probably in Marion or Chicago.
Is Republican Leader.
Appointment of Mr.. Slemp by
President Coolidge caused consider
able of a surprise. MIR. Slemp is a
;
manhood he has been active in state
and national politics, and during the
last decade has been the recognized
republican leader of the Old Domin-
ion. His wide acquaintance with
senators and representatives and
with the large army of state and ma
tional political workers. it is point ed
out cannot help but be of great value
in his new position.
Mr.. Slemp's name had not been
m tinnp1 rnnnanfinn with the
speculation of the past week as to
George Christian probable success
sor. He said today he did not know
until yesterday that he was being
preston that President Coolidge
would name Edward T. Clark. who
was his secretary during his term as
Vice President and who served in that
capacity until the return OF George
Christian from Marion last Monday
1t was announced today that Mr.
Clark will serve President Coolidge
as his personal secretary.
Benjamin F. Felt of Boston also had
been mentioned for the position final
ly rendered to Mr.. Slemp. II has not
been learned whether or not Judson
Q. Welliver. who had served Presiden
Harding somewhat in the capacity Of
a personal secretary and who did most
Of his research work for him in the
reparation OF papers and speeches
Will he affected by the appointment OF
Mr.. Clark. Mr.. Welliver is on the White
House roll as chief clerk.
Career of SIemp.
Mr.. Slemp was born at Turkey Cove
Lee county, Va, in 1870. He was
graduated from the Virginia Military
Institute in 1891. studied law at the
University OF Virginia, taught mathe-
matics at the Virginia Military In
stitute and later practiced law at Big
Stone Gap. Va. his present home.
Mr.. Slemp has been prominent in
republican politics for number Of
years. He formerly was republican
national committeeman from Virginia
and since 1905 has been chairman OF
the Virginia republican state commit
tee. He was an intimate friend of the
late President Harding, who offered
him a place on the Civil Service Com
mission, later the position of assist
ant secretary Of commerce and more
recently the post of ambassador to
Peru. All OF the offers were declined
Mr. Slemps father. Campbell SIemu
was a member of Congress for sew
eral terms from the ninth Virginia
district. and on his death in 1907. his
son was elected to fill the unexpired
term. Thereafter he was reelected
to the fSixty-first and succeeding
Congresses. including the Sixty-sev-
enth, retiring voluntarily last March
4 to give attention to his personal
affairs. For years he was the only
republican in the Virginia congress
sional delegation. In the last Con-
Eress he served as a member of the
House appropriations committee.