Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-05

peculiarly fitted to administer the Gov
ernment's farm relief program, yet to
be mapped out in Congress.
The selection OF Mr.. Hyde as Secre-
tary Of Agriculture surprised the Mis-
sourian just as much as it did the
general public. 1t is said he at first
refused to accept the post, holding that
there were others better qualified than
he to deal with the intricacies of the
farm problem, but President Hoover
finally prevailed upon him to take the
Job
Mr.. Hyde was pre-conyention sup
porter OF Lowden for the presidential
nomination, but at no time did he
eSpouSe the cause of the disputed equali-
cation fee. so-called 'sore spot" OF the
McNary- Haugen farm relief bill. He
has shown deep interest in the farm
question and has tirst-hand knowledge
OF the farmers problem. being owner
OF three farms in Missouri. His sound
and sympathetic understanding of the
needs OF agriculture, as evidenced in
discussions with Mr.. Hoover at Florida
last month, convinced the President that
Mr.. Hyde was the man to direct the
destinies Of the Department of Agri-
culture.
Lawyer by Profession.
Secretary Hyde is a lawyer by pro-
fession. but he has used his legal
training chiefly i'll connection with
business enterprises with which he is
connected. He is president of the Sen
final Life Insurance Co. in Kansas
City.
Mr.. Hydes first venture into politics
was failure. He was defeated in 1912
as Progressive candidate for State at
torney general. In 1920 he was
drafted" as Republican candidate for
governor and was overwhelmingly
elected. He was Missouri'S second Re-
publican governor since the Civil War.
His name was mentioned by his
friends as possible candidate for the
vice presidency during the past CAM
paign. but he quickly squelched the
movement. Previously he had refused
to run for Senator.
Mr.. Hyde was born in Princeton. Mo,
July II, 1877, the son of Judge Ira B
and Caroline E. Hyde. His father at
one time was Representative in Con-
gress from the second Missouri district
He was graduated from the Uniyer-
sity of Michigan in 1899 and received a
law degree from Iowa State University
in 1900. He was admitted to the bar
and joined his father in the practice
of law. He was elected mayor of
Princeton in 1908. His home of recent
years has been in Trenton. Mo.
Mr.. Hyde married Miss Hortense
Cullers of Trenton in 1904. They have
a daughter. Caroline. 10 years old.
He is a trustee of Missouri Wesleyan
College. a thirty-second degree Mason,
Shriner and Odd Fellow.
ROBERT p. LAMONT
The name of Robert Patterson La
mont. the new Secretary of Commerce,
Is familiar one in Americas engineer
ing and manufacturing circles. His APP
pointment as head of the department
If the Government directly interested Ill
he Nationals industries will be received
With satisfaction in the realm of trade.
Mr. Lamont by reason of his long
experience as an engineering contractor
and manufacturer, is conversant with
.he problems confronting industry. AS
Secretary of Commerce he will lend
ear TO the needs OF Amer
can commerce and will be in a position
% make the most of the Governments
facilities for assisting in the prosperity
movement.
In addition to his practical under
standing of business affairs at home
he new Secretary of Commerce Is
familiar with commercial conditions
abroad and with the Governments
program for stimulating our foreign
.rade. He was member OF COM
nittee Of the International Chamber OF
Commerce which made an intensive
study Of European industry ana Amerl-
AN European trade relations.
Active Engineering Practice.
Soon after his graduation from the
University of Michigan in 1891, Mr..
lamont launched into active practice
If the engineering profession, his flrst
work being III connection with the
Chicago Exposition. Later he became
secretary of the contracting tirm OF
Smaller & Schingler, retiring In 1897
o become vice president of. the Simplex
Railway Appliance Co. In 1905 he was
made vice president of the American
Steel Foundries Co. and was elevated
o the presidency of this important
concern i'll 1912. He has
been president of the company since {,
hat time.
Mr. Lamont also is chairman OF the
board of the Griffin Wheel Co. and
iirector of the First National Bank OF
chicago, the Morris Plan Bank, Mont |
.omery Ward 8; Co.. Armour 81 Co. and
he Globe Steel Tubes Co.
He volunteered his services TO the !
Government during the World War and |
vas commissioned major III the |
NATIONAL Army, February, 1918. Later |
lie was made colonel. He was chief !
I the procurement division OF the !
ordnance Bureau of the War Depart
nent from October Is, 1918, to Feb
uary, 1919.
Waterways Given Study.
Secretary Lamont has made studies
Americas inland waterways and
erved on committees i'll connection |
'ltn the Mississippi flood control work
nd the Chicago drainage canal.
lie Is a trustee of the University OF |
'hlcago and member of the follow
ne clubs: Chicago, Union League,
University, Midday, Shore Acres, Old
I'm and Glenview.
Mr.. Lamont was born in Detroit,
alcn., December J. 1867. the son of
.opert and Isabella Lamont. He mar
lec Gertrude Trotter of Chicago in
1874. Ills home is In Lake Forest, Ill.
AMES J. DAVIS
Eight years of cabinet service
'fetcneo behind James J. Davis OF