Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-04-07
Attorney General Mitchell
Is Likened to W Secretary

WASHINGTON, April 6.-Attor-
ney General william D. Mitchell is
the living image of a Y. M. c. A.
| secretary.
At SIS, he is a little too old for one,
but he does not look his years.
Y. M. C. A. secretaries are a dis
tinct type. Individual secretaries
differ from one another sufficient
ly to be told apart, but they all have
certain characteristics in common
or, if there are exceptions, I never
| saw any-and I have visited Y. M.
G. AS (on business) all the way
from eastern Europe, in a westerly
direction as far as Japan and China,
and southwardly as far as Buenos
Aires.
Attorney General Mitchell behind
his half-acre desk-bigger than
President Hoover's-at the justice
department, appeareS in striking
contrast to John Garibaldi Sargent,
who preceded him in the same
swivel chair.
John G.. Sargent was a huge bulk
of an old man-heavy, cumbersome,
slow-and sad bovine eyes and the
hesitant speech of ar official who
never had caught up with the enor-
nous volume of his work - who
simply was struggling painfully
along. dependent on subordinates-
William D. Mitchell chief among
them-to sabe him from capital err
rors until the welcome day when he
would be free to retire.
Attorney General Mitchell obvi-
ously enjoys his position.
He is at some advantage. Pro-
NOTED from the post of solicitor gen.
eral, only one step lower than his
present office-not to mention the
fact that he virtually has been head
of the department for two or three
years past-his preparation has been
ample.
However, the job would not have
swamped him in any event.
A tip-top, minute
lawyer, with q long legal heritage,
smart as a whip, the admiration of
the entire supreme bench for the
soundness and clarity of his reason
ing-he comes to his task loaded
for bear with the heaviest ammuni-
ton.
(.;ro o1nor ood dac;s;vo co,,pd bic
orders to his assistants.
There is no buster about him. He
knows his business and likes it. His
eyes snap and sparkle behind his
gold bowed Spectacles. His mind
functions on all cylinders.
Has he settled the national
origins" problem?
John G.. Sargent, now knowing,
would have s~idestepped, with all the
dexterity of an infirm hippopot-
anus.
Eyes" says Mitchell, instantly,
my answers gone to the president.
1t wouldn't be etiquette for mt to
give it out. 1t will be announced
from the White House"
What oil lands is it mandatory
for the government to lease upon
application?
That's interior department infor-
nation"
What names are up for federal
judgeships?
ASK Mr.. So-and-So for the list.
He'll give it to you"
It Attorney General Mitchell an
swers, st can't say" he means, II
won't say" There Is nothing he
can't say" connected with the JUS
tice department.
Out of all the members of the new
cabinet. / would guess that Attorney
General Mitchell is the only like
hest to talk back to President
Hoover. They are a pretty meek
lot. in general. Y. M. G. A. secre-
taries are afraid of nobody. If they
have to contradict. they do it in a
nice way-but firmly.
And I would imagine it would
make a hit with Mr. Hoover.
Only the "progressives" are a
trifle skeptical of Attorney General
Mitchell-and not ever they because
they question his brain-power. AS
the railroad br~otherhoods' organ
"Labor"-a very progressive" publ
cation-expresses it:
His ability is conceded, but his
friendship for Big Business is also
conceded"
CVpCY CROnM WINS IN