The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-07-08

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human problems AIN live after
him IN the hearts and minds 81
these Of "a who have had the
privilege of being his associates.
He brought 10 The public serx-
+ ice not only ability and integrity.
but a loyalty 10 principle and 10
duty from which no consideration
could move him.
by his example, ne has provided
an inspiration Tor al public
servants. |. personally. mourn Tire
passing Of a stcsdfas, and intimate
friend"
Navy Il >hccked
Swanson had been III for YEARS
lie collapsed just before a White
House dinner in January. 1887, and
long had appeared IN public oniy
with the assistance OF an attend.
ant.
Thursday morning swanson suf-
fered a stroke as he lay in bed al
the fishing lodge which had been
converted largely to his use rwen-
ty-fise hours later he was dad.
Mrs. swanson WAS with him when
he died.
News OF his death hit the navy
department like = hroadsidc from
enemy batteries. Although he had
been III through much Of his serv-
ice. Swanson maintained his de-
partmcnt IN such good standing on
Capitol hill that congress frequent.
~ was moved TO vote funds and
authorizations for tho navy men
that II might have withheld but
for the secretsry's position.
Almost Carried
He came To the cabinet from
long service in the house and SEN
ate and had been governor Of Viz
ginia before that. His member
ship on the senate naval affairs
committee was an honor that he
valued highly.
But. within the past year, Swan
son became less and less active.
On sunny winter mornings he
might appear briefly for short
walk In the northwest residential
section where he lived. or drive
through the parks In his car.
He could visit his office, but mol
for long at time and almost had
10 be carried there or to his place
at the cabinet table.
Stark Mentioned
Swanson was the third member
of the Roosevelt cabinet 10 die
The new vacancy poses a difficult
political question for Roosevelt
When William X. Woodin died
early In his first administration
the president filled the secretary.
ship OF the treasury by promoting
his friend and neighbor, Henry
Morgcnthan. Jr
George II. Dern died in office
as secretary OF war and his place
was filled by promotion Of an a..
sistant secretary. Harry n. Wood
ring.
Charles Edison. swanson's as
sistant secretary, u able and ener
getic, but recently has been III
He may be promoted To the va
cancy, which comes with less thai
two years OF the Roosevelt ad
ministration 10 go. Another NAM
likely to figure in speculation oyel
cabinet position Is that OF Gov
Lloyd stark, of Missouri.
Met y. ID. In 1918
Swanson became secretary o
the navy at time when tn
United States was starting Its rec
ord peace-time naval expansion
program. Roosevelt appointed hin
in 1888. and soon after he ha'
assumed the cabinet post. he be
came H.
Swanson spent almost a third o
his life In close touch with nsys
affairs. During the World war h
served as acting chairman Of tn
senate naval affairs committe'
and in that position was instru
mental In shaping the nation
wartime naval policies. In tina
capacity he met Roosevelt. the
assistant secretary Of the navy
and a close friendship began.
Swanson had been in public ~
4s years and he was II when h
took the navy portfolio. he va
born In svsnsonviIie. Va. Marc
81, 1862.
supported Wilson
He attended Virginia Agricul
tural and Mechanical college lnos
Virginia Polytechnic instituted an
later University OF Virginia. ~her
he completed a Law course,
In 1892 he was elected 10 N
SD congress on the Democrats
ticket. He was elected governo
Of Virginia in 1905 and served 10
five years. In 1910 he was name
TO I'll a vacancy In the U. =. sen
ate. He was reappointsd and the
elected for term expiring in 1911
In 1927 and 1923 Swanson was ~
elected without opposition,
A. member Of the senate nayi
affairs committee and chairman q
the foreign relations COMMITTEES
Swanson gave answering sgppOs
to President Wilson's policies agi
ing and following the HaT.
Married Twfes
swanson described himself AZ
liberal Democrat Ne Wss ~