Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-07
CHOICE OF HURLEY
AS WAR SECRETARY
MEETING ACCLAIM

WEI IVO HOOIHIW
Continued From First Page)
Hoover, but his real satisfaction is in
the knowledge that he has placed at
the head of the War Department man
whose experience and training pecu-
liarly fitted him for the duties
that will be his. The President has a
! high regard for Col. Hurley's ability
and for his unusual qualities. He has
! grown to know this young soldier
lawyer from Oklahoma intimately since
the latter became Assistant Secretary
| of War March 4 last
| Col. Hurley is looked upon as one of
the Presidents closest personal friends
and known to occupy position Of being
one Of the confldanteS. A number Of
names had been presented to Mr.. Hoover
| to consider in connection with filling
! Secretary Goods place. Some of these
| were strongly Endorsed, and in the cases
OF several much pressure was brought
| to bear
There is no secret in the fact that the
| Middle West, from which section the
late Secretary Good came. was particu-
larry active in attempting to bring about
| the appointment of some one from that
section. President Hoover was not great
| ly impressed by geographical claims,
! because of his already having the West
| and Middle West represented in his
cabinet in the persons of the Secre-
| tary of Agriculture and the Attorney
| General.
In Accord with Hoover.
Although at heart a military man
TO the core. Col Hurley is known to
be In complete accord with the Presi-
dents policies regarding the admins
| tration of the War Department and
he will undoubtedly follow the latter's
| wishes in this connection. Col Hurley
/ has seen enough of the horrors of war
through his active service during the
World War to agree with President
| Hoover's views on international peace
and the outlawry of war, as we'll as
| the reduction Of armament burdens
At the same time. the new Secretary
OF War will be diligent in maintaining
the military establishment up to q
standard Of efficiency and in endeavor-
ing 10 keep it adequate to meet the
needs of national defense
! The new Secretary of War, who is
only 46 years old, is one of the young
est men to fill that ONCE. He was born
in the Choctaw Nation, Indian Terri
| tory, January 8, 1883. He was grad
uated at Indian University. now Bacone
College. in 1905 with the degree of doc
| tor of arts He studied law at the Ma
| tional University in New York, receiv-
| ing his degree Of bachelor OF laws in
1908. He was admitted to the bar in
Oklahoma the same year and at once
began the practice of law in Tulsa,
/ which Is now his home.
Appeared Before Supreme Court.
In 1912 he was admitted to the bar
of the Supreme Court of the United
States and has frequently appeared be-
fore that tribunal. He was national at
| torney for the Choctaw Nation from
| 1912 TO 1917, which necessarily brought
him to Washington on many occasions.
He has been president of the First
Trust g. Savings Bank of Tulsa since
1917. He has been identified with a
number OF other business enterprises
in Tulsa. Also he has been identified
with the management of oil companies
Col. Hurley's military career began In
1902, when he received commission as
captain of Cavalry of the Indian Terri
torial Volunteer Militia. He retained
that commission until 1907. In 1914
he was commissioned a captain OF the
Oklahoma National Guard, and wher
this country entered the World War NJ
was quick to offer his services HI
reached the grade of lieutenant colonel
He participated in the Aisne-Marne
MeuSe-Argonne and st. Mihiel cam
paigns and successfully negotiated tho
agreement between the government Of
the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg anC
the American EXpeditionary Forces II
1919. He received silver star citation
for gallantry in action in France or
November IL, 1918, "in voluntarily max
ing a reconnaissance under heav!
enemy fire"
His War Citation.
Col Hurley for his entire service
during the World War received the Dis
tinguished Service Medal, with the fol-
lowing citation:
Lieutenant colonel, Judge Advocat
Generals Department. Assigned a
Judge advocate, Army artillery, Is
; Army, he rendered services of marke'
: ability, performing, in addition to hi
manifold duties, the duties OF adjutan
general and of inspector general
: Later, as Judge advocate OF the 6ti
Army Corps, he ably conducted tn
5 negotiations arising between the Amer
e lean Expeditionary Forces and tn
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, wherein h
: displayed sound judgment, marked yea
! and keen perception OF existing conol
e lions. He has rendered services OF ma
terial worth in the American Expedl
:, tionary Forces"
4 Col. Hurley Is a member OF TIL
American and the Oklahoma State Ba
Associations, Tulsa Chamber OF Com
merce, American Legion and Sigma CHI
Fraternity. Also he is a member o
: President Hoovers so-called "medlcin
5 ball cabinet" which is composed o
=. intimate friends and associates OF Mi
Hoover. who meet with him in the rea
grounds of the White House each morn
' ing and play medicine ball and wolfe
T ball. He was married on December
1919, to Miss Ruth Wilson, daughte
r of Admiral Henry B. Wilson, U. S. N
and they have three children, Patricia
Ruth and Wilson.
Calls on Mrs. Good.
No indication has been given at tn
| White House as to who will be Co
Hurley'S successor as Assistant Secre
. tary of War. 1t Is believed, however
that the President will make this ap
y pointment without any great delay
. The White House has every reason I
feel that the nomination of Col. Hurle
will be readily confirmed by the Senate
In the meantime he will continue act
ing as the head of the War Depart
ment.
Secretary Hurley laid aside the ON
cial duties of his new post today to pa
his respects to the widow of his prede
ceSscr.
Accompanied by Mrs. Hurley, he wer
to the home of Mrs. James w. GooC
widow of the late War Secretary, IL
whom the Army is still in mourning
and offered any assistance they migf