Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-04-01
AMERICA and


Continued from page one.)
road enterprises, governor of Ohio,
and ambassador.
McKinley's Friend
A close personal friend of Presi-
dent Mckinley, he was offered
three cabinet positions by presi-
dents of the United States and
twice was appointed ambassador to
France-first by President Taft in
1912 and again by President Hard
ing in 1921. The title of Colonel
was given to him when he was ap-
pointed to the staff Of Mckinley
when the latter was governor of
Ohio.
MIR. Herrick attracted worldwide
attention as American ambassador
to France during the war by his
refusal to leave Paris when the
French government and the diplo-
matte corps fled to Bordeaux TO
escape the threatened German in
vasion Of 1914. In addition to the
intricate matters connected WITH
his own office, he also assumed
charge of the British, japanese
and Turkish embassies, and by his
calmness and devotion to duty in
the face of great danger, is credit
ed with having done more than
any other individual to prevent the
outbreak Of a disastrous panic in
Paris.
Another problem OF immense
proportions which confronted him
during the early days Of the war
was the necessity of providing adj
vice and financial aid for the
thousands of American subjects
stranded in France. Through the
formation of an American commit
tee, he not only assisted the needy
American travellers but aided more
than 1000 English subjects to
reach their homes. These services
caused the French government to
bestow upon him the Grand Cross
of the Legion Of Honor.
Successful Financier
Another notable achievement OF
Mr. .Herrick while in France was
the American Relief Clearing
House, which he organized after
the tourist problem had been dis
posed Of. This organization took
full charge of the transportation
and distribution Of supplies from
America, which we're arriving in
great quantities. The committee
continued throughout the wal as
ole Of the most important relief
agencies in Europe.
Born in Huntington, Ohio, Oc-
tober 9, 1854, Mr.. Herrick managed
to attend school and earn a living
at the same time. He entered
Oberlin college and Ohio Wesleyan
university, but did not complete the
course. That he found knowledge
outside of college textbooks, how
ever, is evidenced by the fact that
among the honorary degrees be-
slowed upon him was that of Doc
tor Of Laws conferred by Yale, Har-
ward, Columbia and Princeton.
Admitted to the bar in 1878, he
had practiced law but a short time
when he began his financial career
by organizing a national bank in
Cleveland. Later he became presi-
dent of the Society for Savings in
Cleveland, a director of the Erie
railroad. the National Surety COM
| pany, New York Life Insurance
company, and numerous other fl
nancial institutions, as well as head
of the American Bankers aSsocia-
ton.
Governor of Ohio
In his career as a railroad fl
nancier he was chairman of the
Board of Directors of the Wheel
ing and Lake Erie railroad. a di-
rector of the Missouri Pacific. par
ticipated in the purchase of the
Western Maryland railroad and
assisted the Gould railroads to en-
ter Pittsburgh.
Mr.. Herrick was governor Of
Ohio from 1903 to 1905. He was
one of the staunchest friends of
President Mckinley, came to his
assistance when he met with fl
nancial reverseS, and was also
treasurer of the Mckinley Memoir
ial association. For a long time
he was a member of the execu-
tive committee of the republican
party.
On his return from Paris in
1914 an enthusiastic group of
friends in Cleveland attempted to
start a movement to nominate him
for the presidency, but Mr.. Her
rick declined these honors, declar-
ing that he would not capitalize
whatever credit was due him for
European service.
While in France Coolnel Herrick
made a study of agricultural fl
nance and worked out with the