The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-05


wv George Akerson quit secreta-
frying for President Hoover last
week to accept a reported $4,000
offer from Paramount Pictures,
he caused great sorrow among the
capitals taxicab drivers.
Though their vehicles serve Of
flcialdom till they crack up like the
one-hoSs shay, the boys behind the
wheel will never forget Akerson'S
nonchalance in the face of meter
reading that resembled a problem
in mountainous mathematics.
Midnights still unborn will find
the cabbies munching late lunches
at a white-f front restaurant on
pennsylvania avenue, and telling
tales in which George moves as a
legendary and bountiful figure.
With them the thought of this
big, blonde, busting and careless
Norseman will live as long as any
hoary and heroic saga of his own
Norseland.
For it was Georges curious GUS
tom, when visiting friends OF an
evening, to order the cab to walt.
He might entertain a party far
into the night with his booming
stories or his amazing skill at the
piano, which ranges from a
Cheerful Little Earful" to Han
del'S Messiah" but there waited
the taxi at the curb like faithful
body servant.
His hosts suggestions that it be
dismissed always were metz with
an airy wave of the hand. George
liked to hear the chugging cab out
side the door
THIS is the most illuminating
il incident in Akersons brief ca
reer here. It is as characteristic
of him as his insistence on having
a uniformed chauffeur even though
his automobile was no more than
four-c cylinder, 5000 Chevrolet
coach.
Since he became secretary to the
President, he has rated q mono
grammed, custom-built Pierce
Arrow. but it is often suspected
that he pines for the lowly taxi
outside the door,
Nor was this affection. The
grand manner" comes naturally
to gorgeous George" He always
moved through his days-and
nightS-aS if on a grand tour of
life. A huge figure, he strobe about
like a juggernaut.
1t is little wonder that they
nicknamed him "the great Nordic
monsoon" when he landed here in
1921 to cover the arms conference
for the Minneapolis Tribune.
LIS manner and-even more
Il Il important-hiS music gave
him his first big start in official
Washington.
Fellow correspondents took him
to their hearts and homes when
they learned of his talent. Their
typewriters and their inside dope"
were his to command.
Thus he never had to pass
through the hard apprenticeship
that faces most newspaper cubs
at the capital.
But, as correspondent, George
was good. He was earlier known
as the most acute political OBJ
/, server in the northwest.
In the 1922 primary campaign
for the senate nomination between
Frank B. Kellogg and August
Lindbergh. father of the aviator,
Akerson handled Kellogg'S pub
licity.
And the things he and Kellogg
said about the older Lindbergh,
then regarded as a "Bolshevik'
for his economic views, have left
scars to this day in Minnesota
politics.
The rest Of the climb was easy.
His b-eezineSS impressed Hoover
when, as secretary of commerce,
he had charge of federal partici-
patton in the PHILADELPHIA SeSqui-
centennial.
Though that affair was a dis
9StAOoo 4~A0ANa III AAo1AC cSSA nCQ
with Hoover.
He was closely connected with
the publicity phase of the Presi-
dents campaign for nomination.
=
A KERSON was then an invalu-
4 n able ally. BY contrast with
him, most OF the men around the
seeker after the presidency were
grim and amateuriSh fellows. Ak
erSon knew practical politics,
whereas they did not.
Moreover, he furnished a much
needed glad hand in the Hoover
encourage. George provided just
what Hoover'S political cupboard
lacked-"applesauce."
AS secretary. Akerson has been
more Of q buffer against importu-
nate politicians and press than q
presidential conldnut.