Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-13
John Wingate Weeks.

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Successful in business and valuable
in faithful public service, John Win
gate Weeks has passed away, sin
cerely mourned by a multitude who
knew him personally and greatly re-
spected by a larger number who
rightly appraised him as citizen and
as man. To the people of Wash
ington Mr.. Weeks was an intimate
friend, for he had served here for
many years, in Congress and in the
cabinet. He loved washington with
an affection that was second only to
his love for his personal home. He
knew it intimately and in his con-
gressional service he greatly aided
in its advancement.
This young American was ambitious
to serve his country as an officer OF
the Navy, and, gaining the oppor-
tunity through appointment to the
Academy at Annapolis, he graduated
and was commissioned. But at that
time there was a disposition on the
part of Congress to limit the naval
establishment. Curtailment was the
order of the day. The personnel was
congested, and young Midshipman
Weeks, with numerous others, con-
clu6ed that there was but little OPP
portunity for active service and re-
signed. Had he remained in the Navy
he would doubtless have risen to high
rank and have achieved distinguish
ment, for he possessed the qualities Of
thoroughness and steadfastness. In
later years he turned his knowledge OF
naval matters to account by serving
in the reserves during the Spanish
American War.
Success in business came naturally
to one Of the exceptional ability of
John w. Weeks. But success was
achieved without sacrifice of principle.
He was at all times strictly observant
of ethical fundamentals. It was nat
ural progression that when financial
competence was gained he should
turn his attention to political affairs.
It is now known that but for a slight
turn of the screws OF fate that con-
troll such matters he would have been
the presidential nominee of his party
in a year of assured victory. He
served ten years in the House of
Representatives with distinction, and
through his diligent attention to af-
fairs he gained prominence and his
advancement to the Senate was in
the way Of well earned promotion.
While expectation naturally pointed
to his assumption of the naval admin
istration when in the Winter Of 1921
it became known that President-elect
Harding had chosen Mr.. Weeks as
one Of his cabinet aides. it was to the
War Department that he was as
signed. Mr.. Weeks himself made it
plain that he would have preferred
the Navy, but that he felt that he
might through his former association
be in a somewhat prejudiced position
respecting it. At the War Depart
ment he was confronted with heavy
task. The establishments necessary
in the postwar reductions and liqui-
dations required a steady hand, a
keen business judgment and broad
vision. Mr.. Weeks possessed these
qualifications and his administration
of that difficult situation was tri-
umphant success.
Ill health necessitated his retire
ment from. the public service, which
he loved and in which he was so ex-
ceptionally capable. It may be that
his devotion to 1T shortened his life.
Though of tranquil disposition, he
labored conscientiously over every
problem that was presented to him.
In addition to his immediate duties,
Mr.. Weeks was frequently called into
consultation on other matters. Upon
his judgment Presidents relied, both
before and during his administrative
service. He shirked no responsibility.
He evaded no liability.
Truly, a service such as this is
deserving of the highest appraise-
ment. 1t is announced that the NOR.
tai remains of John w. Weeks will
be borne from his childhood home in
New Hampshire to Arlington, where
they will be laid at rest with ma
tional honors. This is meet and fit.
ting, for this man gave himself to
the people and he should be inferred
with the others who have served their
country nobly and effectively.
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