Evening Star Newspaper, June 9, 1929, Page 91

THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, JUNE 9, 1929—PART J, Signatures Tell How the President and His Cabinet Members “‘Si ze the Scrutiny of the Graphologist. What does the handwriting on the wall at Washington, D. C., indicate? “By their signatures ye shall know them.” Here is an unusual slant on President Hoover and the members of his cabinet —a graphologist’s analysis of their auto- graphs. And if this analysis is correct and the President and his assistants live up to their “John Hancocks,” then the United States is in for an administration characterized by constructive genius and broad-minded humanitarianism. The analyst, Miss Gertrude M. O'Reilly, has made a special study of caligraphy for years. She worked her way to gradu- ation from the Royal College of Arts, South Kensington, England, by conduct- ing a graphological department for the great London editor, Alfred Harmsworth, later Lord Northcliffe. Throughout the United States she is widely known as a radio broadcaster and writer on graphology. BY GERTRUDE M. O'REILLY. T is only natural that there should be a universal interest in the character- istics of the man recently elected to the highest office of the United States of America and of those appointed to be official advisers in the various depart- ments which they supervise. It is a glimpse behind the scenes which graphology gives us, and that is why their sig- natures and scraps of writing dre worthy of very careful study. Look them over. Note the very apparent and striking differences between them, but do not overlook the little similarities which show that they are “birds of a feather” naturally gravitating toward each other. Take the signs of altruism and interest in the welfare of others, for example. They are plainly seen in the rounded letter formations and forward slant of the script of Herbert Hoover, in the straddled small “t” in the signa- tures of the Postmaster general and of Secre- taries of War, Navy and Labor, and in the pe- culiar unlooped return of the downstroke of “y” and “g” in the writing of the Secretaries of the Interior, State, Treasury and Agriculture, show- ing that this group of men are, individually as well as collectively, intensely itnerested in the welfare of the less fortunate. THERE are other points of similarity, too, such as an ability to concentrate, mental acumen, force of character. But let us take each separately and see what are the most salient characteristics shown in these revealing strokes of the pen. That of Herbert Hoover, for example, is surely the signature of a builder; solid, constructive, with the high capitals and upper loops which show idealism; the heavy, even pen pressure in- dicating strength and self-control; the words linked together, telling of deductive reasoning and energy. The most revealing peculiarity, however, is that angular “t” crossing which is an unfailing indication of a mind which goes from one point of a question to another, weigh- ing, balancing, comparing, looking at it from every angle before coming to a decision. But this distinctive caligraphy also reveals the more human qualities. The rounded let- ters, the comparatively wide spaces between them, the open bulb of the “b” all tell of his sympathy for the weak and suffering; the marked forward slant shows a sincere and affectionate nature; the height of the capitals and upper loops and the singularly clear look of the writing all indicate a religious sense of reverence and an entire lack of affectation or camouflage. The Secretary of State, Henry L. Stimson, writes a most interesting and characteristic hand, that of a born leader, aggressive, force- ful, yet remarkably diplomatic. His quick mind has an unusual critical ability which enables him to judge people, facts, ideas with unerring accuracy. His very distinctive capitals show originality and independence of thought, while the downward slashes of the pen and the heavy down pressure denote that he may, at times, be a bit iconoclastic. The gradual diminishing of the letters to- ward the end of the words, the open formation of the “0” and “m,” the little quirk he gives the tail of the “y” all combine to tell us that Up” Under he is diplomatic, can talk well and easfly and that he has a sense of humor. His writing also indicates strong affections, kindness, much courage, both moral and physical, and consid= erable tenacity. IN striking contrast to all the other signas tures is the minute and unusual writing of Andrew W. Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury: That queerly stenciled look, caused by lifting the pen between the letters, invariably tells of intuition, in this case so remarkable as als most to amount to telepathy. He has a very keen sense of justice, too, and though he is self-contained and not likely to express lis feelings very freely, his emotions can be deeply moved by an appeal to his reason. He is singularly free from personal vanity, conservative, observant and has a tremendous power of concentration. With this type of mind it is rather surprising to note the unusual letter formations, the soaring capitals and the fly- away “t” bars, which tell of a vivid imagina- tion, and the ascending basic line with the forward slant of the writing, denoting enthu- slasm in the pursuit of an ideal. A wide rangs of interests, optimism, sympathy, a sense of humor and a protective desire to help and shelter the weak are also indicated. ‘The Secretary of War, James William Good; is a born organizer; practical, yet idealistic, with an acute mind, power of concentration and a perfectly marvelous understanding of human nature. Look at that curly “i” dot of his and the rounded lower loops. They tell of & pleasant humor and a thorough enjoyment of a funny story. The entire absence of unnec- essary loops and flourishes, the clear simplicity of the signature show a direct sincerity and ef- ficiency, while the variations in letter forma- tions denote adaptability. His writing indicates that he is a fluent and interesting speaker, has any amount of tact andwdiplomacy, a ready answer always on the tip of his tongue, and that he is affectionate, unselfish and considerate in his personal rela- tions. He has much self-control, too, and does not allow himself to become discouraged in the face of difficulties, but is extremely sensitive to' the harmony and beauty of his surroundings. UITE unusual and distinctive in its own way is the writing of the Attorney General, William D. Mitchell. It is much more com- municative than he is, for he is unusually se= cretive. He talks well, it is true; reasons closely and loves a good argument, but only those who are very close to him have the slightest ides, of what he really thinks or feels. He is very active, both mentally and physically; takes & keen pleasure in outdoor exercise, is very appre- ciative of the little niceties of life and has an innate love of beauty in all forms. There is no fear that the Attorney General will ever be< come a yes-man, for he is ardent, aggressive; persistent in carrying out his own ideas, is ab- Continued on Fifteenth Page.