Glacier County chief., 1940-09-13

Announcement of the appointment
of Frank c. Walker, former Butte
man, to the Roosevelt cabinet as post
master general, was received with
pleasure in Montana by Walkers many
friends. Walker becomes the first
Montanan ever to serve in a presiden-
tial cabinet.
Born in Pennsylvania
Frank Walker was born in Plymouth,
Pa, but moved to Butte with his par
entS, the late Mr.. and Mrs. David
Walker, when very small child. In
Butte he grew to manhood. peddled
newspapers and worked in the mines.
After graduating from St. Patrick
parochial school, he went to Spokane
where he enrolled in the high school
department of GonZaga college-now
Gonzaga university. Following gradu-
alton from the high school department,
he moved into the college department,
degree of bachelor of arts. He then
went to South Bend, Ind, where he
enrolled in the law department OF
Notre Dame university, getting back
to Butte just in time to become a
deputy county attorney under his
brother, Tom Walker now Judge
Walkerl who was elected county at
torney in the election OF 1906.
From then on he worked out a ca
reer that now, "a years later, has land
ed him in a presidential cabinet.
When he left Butte in 1925 TO be-
come attorney and manager for his
wealthy uncle's chain of theaters in
Pennsylvania, he was rendered a fare
well dinner At that time his brother,
Tom. made a remark that was re-
called the other day: If you offered
him 10 million dollars to say yes when
he wanted TO say no. he would throw
it on the floor"
In the Is years that have elapsed
since then, Frank Walker has given
many evidences Of his brothers rather
cryptic description of the man who is
now TO assume the post of postmaster
general.
Since leaving Butte, he has been the
commencement speaker at three noted
educational institutions, two of which
he attended. at each of which he had
conferred on him the degree of doctor
of laws. The three schools include
Gonzaga university, Notre Dame uni
versity and Montana School of Mines.
He delivered the graduation address
at the latter six years ago. while serv-
ing as chairman of the national emer-
gency council, an organization that
had supervision over all of the far
flung programs Of the New Deal
Returns to Business
After serving a little more than q
year as head of the national emergency
council, Walker resigned to return to
his private business as manager of q
chain Of l25 theaters that are located
in Pennsylvania and extending into
the New England states, business that
was established by his late uncle NJ
E. Comerford, brother of his mother.
Since then, 1t WAS often reported.
he has been importuned to return to
Washington in some official capacity
Each time he was forced to decline,
due to the press of his own business.
Thomas J. Walker. the brother re-
ferred to, was recently named by Presi-
dent Roosevelt as member of the
United States customs court of New
YORK city and will assume that post
on Oct. !.
When the World war came on. Frank
volunteered and did his shift in that
memorable conflict. On his return, he
Joined the Butte post of the American
Legion and took an active part in its
activities. He will be remembered best
as the referee of amateur boxing con-
tests sponsored by the post
Many may often have wondered how
Frank became such close friend OF
Franklin D. Roosevelt. 1t all dates back
to the year 1920 when F. D. R. was
the vice presidential candidate, run
nlng on the ticket with Gov. James
M. Cox OF Ohio. Roosevelt came to
Butte during the campaign. Tom
Walker was one of those who met him
and entertained him during a brief
visit in Butte and surrounding points.
Before his departure Mr. Roosevelt
had been introduced to young Frank.
1t was the start Of friendship that
has continued through the years. A
few years ago, Frank Walker was gen.
orally referred to as a member of the
presidents Kitchen cabinet"
Renews Acquaintance
When Frank left Butte for New
York in 1925 he renewed his acquaint-
ance with Roosevelt. and when the
latter ran for governor in 1923, Franks