Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-20

where you are, epitomizeS the pn1-
losophy of Walter S. Clifford, president
Of the American Telephone & Tele-
graph Co, appointed yesterday by Presi-
dent Hoover to set up and direct an or
ganization to cooperate in unemploy-
ment relief
At the age Of As Mr.. clifford is adj
ministrative head of the largest corpo-
rate enterprise the world has ever
seen-the $4,000. 100000 Bell system.
He got there, friends say, because he
had that infinite capacity for taking
pains with whatever JOB came to hand,
striving to do 1t just a little better than
the other fellow and letting the future
take care Of itself. 1t so happened that
the future did very well by Walter Sher-
man Clifford.
SpeechmAkIng Rare.
His public appearances in the role of
speechmaker are rare, but whenever he
does make an address he writes 1t him
self. For exercise he rides horse, for
diversion he reads. Week ends are
spent at his country place, Thimble
plays golf nor fishes
MIR. Clifford is interested in what may
be called scientific charity and devotes
considerable time to the affairs of the
Charity Organization Society of New
York, serving as chairman OF its eXecu-
tive committee. His membership on the
Board of Overseers of Harvard Uni
yersity-he is Harvard graduate
takes him to Cambridge for the month
ly meetings. He also Is a trustee of
the Johns Hopkins University.
Mr.. Clifford Is fond of figures, al
though as a statistician rather than as
a mathematician. During his appren-
t1ceShip with Western Electric Co.,
manufacturing subsidy of A., T. & T.,
1t was his ability to interpret compli-
Gated bundles Of figures and facts that
brought him to the attention Of his SUI
periors.
Anticipates Problems.
Not content to let his company drift
smoothly along, meeting problems as
they come, he has insisted on antici-
pating problems-those of research as
well as those of administration. He
says he believes in widespread owner
ship OF A., T. 81 T. securities. His poll
cy, as often expressed by himself, is 70
furnish the best possible telephone
service at the lowest cost consistent
with financial safety"
to succeed in the long run, and there is
no justification for acting otherwise
than for the long run"
Mr.. Clifford maps out q general pro-
gram OF action, explains his purposes 10
his executives and leaves the rest 20
them.
Three years instead OF four put Gif-
ford through Harvard with an A. B.
degree, and since his grauation in 1904
his achievement graph has shown q
quick rise. Here is the way that chart
reads:
l9o4-Clerk for the Western Electric
Co. in Chicago though he actually be-
gan his commercial life q year before
finishing college.
1906-Transferred to the New York
ONCE. Soon made assistant secretary
and later assistant treasurer Of the con-
Germ.
1908-Became statistician for the
American Telephone & Telegraph Co.,
Boston. AT As, he now heads it, one OF
the largest corporations in the world.
I916-Appointed director of the Coun-
Gil of National Defense war job.
1918-To France to help organize the
inter-allied munitions council
l919-Vice president, A. T. & T.;
three years later director; two years
after that. executive vice president, and,
in 1875, president.
Excellent Executive.
A close associate of Mr.. Clifford to-
day gave this word portrait Of the man
who will mobilize the country'S forces
for meeting problems of the working
man this Winter.
'Mr. Clifford Is the executive first
and foremost He hires a man in his
own organization, then let's him 60
ahead, full speed. His orders are given
by suggestion rather than by definite
statement He believes In giving q man
every opportunity.
His desk always is clean
HE does his own work with remark
able dispatch, and he has much to do
perSonally, Of course. He Is q fast
thinker and has the faculty common to
big executives OF thrusting through
mass of detail to the heart of q thing.
HE never suffers from stumbling
of words.
some men, all popped UP and eager,
90 to him with large matters. Often
such a visitor finds himself all tired
out In an hour.
Worked For Hull House.
'.Modesty is one of Mr.. Gifiord's out
standing traits.
he reads economies and aociolnsyt