Evening Star Newspaper, April 10, 1937, Page 4

A—4 LOYALTY TOPARTY WAS ROOT'S CREED Believed American Form of Government Required Firm Devotion. The story of Elihu Root—the lawyer “whose lifelong client was the United States,” who, for more than 40 years before his recent death at the age of 92, was the man behind American history—is told here in a series of articles, of which this is the fifth and last. The writer, eminent as editor and author and professor of interna- tional law at Columbia University, had many close contacts with Mr. Root. BY PHILIP C. JESSUP. About 1855 a little boy stood outside the door of the home of his father, the professor of mathematics at Ham- ilton College in Clinton, N. Y. Gen. John J. Knox rode up and asked the little boy to hold his horse. When he came out the general gave a 50- cent plece—the largest piece of money the boy had ever seen—to Elihu Root. A group of college undergraduates in the 1860s were riding on the Utica coach when the horses backed into a ditch and upset the coach. Ome boy's leg was broken and the others carried him to Slocum’s Tavern, a resort for the rough gang which worked on the Chenango Canal. The tavern folk refused aid and the students carried the injured boy to the nearest farm. Then Elihu Root and his college mates returned “and broke every damned window in Slocum’s Tavern.” An embarrassed young instructor about 1870 finished his lecture on American history to the little class of girls 1 Miss Green's School, at No. 1 Fifth avenue, New York City. He backed, blushing, toward the door, as was his wont, reached behind him for the handle, opened it, disappeared and closed the door behind him. There was a delighted gasp from the schol- ars, for the instructor had reached tor the wrong door and had let him- #elf into a closet. The minutes passed while the girls' eyes were riveted on the door. At long last it opened and, with crimson face, Elihu Root dashed out and through the proper door into the hall. Made Record Bass Caich. In the season of 1882 the record ecatch of bass at the Squibnocket Club on Marthas Vineyard was seven fish, aggregating 92 pounds—caught by Elihu Root. Shortly after 1900 a Secretary of War vigorously entered the fight to build the Nation's Capital in con- formity with the plans originally laid down by Maj. 'Enfant when he was consulted by George Washington. It was still to be a long struggle, but the pegs were then driven in by Elihu Foot. In 1905 a man who, as Secretary of War, had created the general staff of the Army, laid the foundations for American Colonial policy and who was prominently considered for the presi- dency of the United States, shed tears of sheer emotion as he came back into ‘Theodore Roosevelt's cabinet as Secre- tary of State. The man was Elihu Root. In the New York State Constitu- tional Convention of 1915, when the chaplain failed to appear at & morn- ing session, the president of the con- vention stepped to the front of the rostrum and delivered the opening prayer: “Almighty God, we pray to Thee to guide our deliberations this day. Make us humble, sincere, devoted to the public service. Make us wise, consid- erate of the feelings and the opinions and the rights of others. Make us effective and useful for the advance- ment of the cause of peace and justice and liberty in the world. For Christ’s sake, amen.” That was Elihu Root. Carnegie Unit Director. Over many years, in the meetings of the boards which guide the des- tinies of such institutions as the New York Public Library, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Hamilton College and three of the great endowments estab- lished by Andrew Carnegie for the promotion of international peace, of scientific research and of philanthropic and educational progress, & man with s straight bang of whitish hair was accustomed to listen to varying exposi- tions of views and then, with authori- fative calmness, clarity and wisdom, suggest the action which might well be taken. That was Elihu Root. In the 1930s, an erect figure, despite his 85 years, clad in a tweed cape-coat, walked through the gardens and woods of an informal country place on a hillside overlooking the Valiey of the Mohawk, with expert eye directing the planting and the pruning of trees. That was Zlihu Root. Born on the campus of & small col- lege, 16 years before the outbreak of the Civil War, Elihu Root grew up with a heritage of New England an- cestry and sturdy pioneer stock. His earliest recollections were of his grandfather’s farm, where he used to play on the floor of the kitchen with & “witch” made of weighted corn- stalk—the only toy he had. His father, known affectionately to generations of Hamilton College stu- dents as “Cube” Root, was, in the Jjudgment of Andrew D. White, “one of the pioneers of American science, ‘whose modesty alone stood in the way of his fame.” An able mathematician, Prof. Root loved even more the study inquired evenly as he extended his hand. About half & century later, Prof. Root’s younger son, Elihu, then Secre- tary of State, wrote to President Roosevelt: “There are some things which men (not being dagoes) can't say to each other easily, if they belong to the race with whom ‘how do you do, sir?’ is san expreasion of affection.” In 1864, Elihu Root was the vale- dictorian of the graduating class at Hamilton College, where two of his brothers and later his son also served on the faculty. To the goliege during his life be gave freely of his time and of his money; it was the beneficiary of the largest bequest in his will. His home was on the edge of the campus. Old Home Was Influence. At the conclusion of his speech on “Invisible Government” at the New York constitutional convention of 1915, Senator Root spoke of “A plain old house in the Oneids hills, overlooking the valley of the Mohawk, where truth and honor dwelt in my youth.” It was a tie that always bound him, an influence always felt. One of the things from which he derived the greatest satisfaction in his later years was the inauguration of the Carnegie Institution in Wash- ington of the Elihu Root lectures, designed to present various scientific matters in an intelligible popular form. “That,” he said, “would have pleased my father very much. I think per- haps I have been able to be of some use in my 30 odd years of connection with the Carnegie Institution because of the fact that I grew up as a child in an atmosphere where one came to believe that the only really important thing in life was science.” He was not the crusader; crusading requires an emotional outpouring. The crusading spirit sees a wrong and in its righteous wrath leaps into the fray—or into print. Elihu Root saw, pondered and devised methods which, in the slow course of human events, would start the trend in the right direction. In his earlier years, as he himself has said, he was to overwhelmed with the exactions of a great law practice to see the larger issues of the law and social policy. But for nearly 40 years he had the statesman's view on politics, domestic and international; on science, the arts and education; on the fundamental principles of govern- ment. In his ninetieth year, he was still the sage counsellor at law and he never lost the deeply imbedded law- yer's sense of loyalty to a client, whether individual, corporation, politi- cal party, government or cause. Religiously Loyal te Party. He was one of the old school, whose ranks now fast diminish, who believed that the American form of govern- ment requires a loyalty to party which is almost religious in its nature. Yet in his last years of detachment he saw the weakness of the party to which he devoted much of his life. “If I were not 150 years old,” he said in 1932, “and had to explain publicly why I am a Rebublican, I'm damned if I'd know what to say. I think they are wrong on tariffs, they are wrong on prohibition, wrong on foreign affairs. They have made into a formal policy a political squabble with Wilson over the League. Any one with any vision should see how foolish that is. Prohibition is as much @ ‘noble experiment’ as the Spanish inquisition—the same idea of forcing people to conduct their lives as you want them to.” He was not disillusioned in his oid age because his intellect had never allowed him to cherish illusions. To every problem of law, politics or statesmanship he applied the scien- tific spirit with which his father ex- amined a mineral or a problem in mathematics. Yet, from the fullness of his experience in the sordid affairs of this world, he drew an understand- ing of human frailties which tinctured his course of action—the immediately practical as against the ultimately ideal. Cartooned and lampooned as a mind packed in ice, he was in reality & man of deep emations, held in rigid restraint by an iron will. Yet there are not a few who have seen the tears run down his cheeks. He could be hard—even deliberately cruel —but never unfeeling. The world needs crusaders as it needs also radicals. But the world is & poorer place for the passing of a wise and great conservative. (Copyright, 1937, by the North American Newspaper Alliance, Inc.) Dentistry Lengthens Life. CHICAGO (#).—Knowledge of den- tistry is claimed by the Dental In- stitute of America to have lengthened man’s average life span from 33 years to 60 years in the last century and a quarter. Some 60,000 dentists minister to the oral ills of 125,000,000 Americans to- day, the institute estimates. Marriage Licenses. Gomes E. Sypult. 21, and Virginia L. Owen, 21 both of 1514 Newton st.; Rev. A. F. 0or2 Prancis R. Poore, 3904 Yuma st. and Dorls A. Thomas ‘24. 1502 Ogden st.; Rev. R. A. Phel James H. Hurley, 23, San Francisco, Calit., and Alice M. Haley. 21, 1022 16th st} Rev. J. W. Rustin. William E. Brooks. 46. 819 Emerson st.. and Margaret C. Meador, 24, 3608 13th st.: Rev. H. J. th. E. Michelson, 28, and Elizabeth A . both “of 2301 Cathedral ev. G. G. Jo Alired D. Heininger, 45, Bl Paso, Tex.. and Marian T. Parsons, 39. 802 Massachu- setts ave. m.e.. Rev. R. J. Clinchy. James E. Pearson, 30, 4118 Chesapeake s and "Elizabeth 8t.' Clair, 24, Herndol Va.: Rev. J. A Trader. Charies B, Thornton, 23, 1901 K st.. and Flora C. Laney, 3. Fort Worth. Tex.; Rev. A_P. Shirkey, Carl M. Preedman. 26, 1611 Varnum st. and Beady A. Mandell. 25, 2613 Mozart pl: Rev. Abram Simon. Milton W. Waring, 24, 3032 Cambridge pl._and Adele B. Walker. 24, 2147 O st.; €v. R. L. Wood, John P. Marshall. 39, 1803 19th st. and Jane’ A Potts. ~22. Kennedy-Warren THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, 2 o Your Hat . . . may capture April’s lilt in a poet’s rose and surging veil on fine ‘‘crystal’” straw in black, brown or ’IO Or multiple flight of white wings on black baku ik MrLLnvery AND MILLINERY SALON, ‘Tuirp FLOOR. / Your Coat ... may be as felicitous a choice as the one shown above. In Forstmann’s notable Porosa— black or navy. Youth in its squared shoulders—slimness in its vertical tucks—'’Mainbocher’s Calla Lily" lapel Oorrs, Trmp FLoOR. Out-of-Doors SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1937. WOODWARD & LOTHROP 10™11™ F AND G STREETS PuaoNE DIstrIcr 5300 Dine in Lace . almost incredible in its delicacy. Charm in its new neckline and glamorous sleeves. In witchery 549'75 From an exceptionally lovely group, starting at $16.95. Formar Room, TuiRp FLoOOR Hesitate no more . . . for this is your season. As though all the great houses . of Paris had conspired to height,en ma- turer charm . . . there is such a blossom- ing, as seldom before, of afl the more gracious aspects of chic . . . flowers, feathers, softly flattering lines, prints combining gayety with discretion . . . “the new fashions are yours. Your Frocks . may pay you compliments as varied as these A—Molyneux-inspired fly-away coat that has a nice way with hiplines. Worn over a frock in the same navy synthetic crepe, with “’slim- e ming’’ taffeta trim and a huge bou- s 75 quet of white violets_________ 39 B—Ruffles at the hemline, youthful neckline and softly inflated sleeves of a pure s silk print punctuated with color 25 C——Cape and polka dots in black or navy chif- fon. With gored skirt and shirred top. Italicized with flowers 529.75 ‘WoMEN's DrESSES, THIRD PLOOR, of geology and made the first impor- . U, G. B. Plerce. tant collection of minerals of upper Lockhart, 39, New York City, d_Elizab . 3 Wpo; New York State. He exchanged speci- ;l'e'v?hvzn;,:e;?ulf 14!;’};1:6 e‘r;m}é: Newvor: mens with all parts of the world, | Reert H Barclay, ew York City. an : . v E. Timberlake. 29, ) Va. Young Elihu used to trudge around s o aunton, Ya Girard st. ne.. and v. after him with & basket, collecting | ®°ilarea W Mover 25 589 Nemica 204 hee ... or for the innumerable indoor occasions when sportswear is so right—angora and a cascading double jabot will make a boucle suit ‘’so becoming.” In rose, M specimens of flowers and shrubs to [ Rev. J. 8 plant in the “wild garden” at the back of the house. From his father he learned the nathematical habit of mind and a love of the beautiful. Dominant in Family. Prof. Root was always the dom- inant figure in the family. Very, very quiet he was, yet neither his wife nor his sons would ever do anything before him which they knew would eall forth his disapproval. He hardly ever reprimanded. It was not neces- sary, for it was felt without being said. That he rarely showed emotion was sometimes construed to mean that he was cold. The truth was that, having no discoverable ego, he shrank from all display and scorned all the arts of popularity. This was too un- usual to be understood by most people, ‘who had therefore to grasp at the as- sumption that he lacked feeling. The story is told of Elihu Root’s older brother coming back as a young man from his first long trip away from home. The college boys, who had made bets as to whether Prof. Root would show any signs of emo- tion when he greeted his son, were gathered in the near distance as the stagecoach rattled up the village street and the traveler descended. “How do you do, sir?” the professor Harrison Morean, 21, 1817 12th st., Edith Smith, 21,°1819 12th i ey Edward A~ Ashdown. 61. and 3 0. Both of New York' Ciiy: av. Aher Evans. Joseph McIntosh. 23, 1219 6th Rosetta Perklsns. lfi_ 1143 1st st R.:vd. John J. 25, Syracuse. N. Y. and Elizabeth E. Case. ;5, O'Q.k Ridge, N C.: v. E. P. McAdams. John W. Li ibby_ 23, 221 11th st, se. and Clementine _Himelright. 21. 635 I ®. TR zarmugen = Herbert E. Snow. 33, and Isabelle M. Paul, 57 both_of Hiizabeth, N. J.; Rev. Bi- ‘ward Gabler. Births Reported. H and Bernice Manwaring, girl, Robert and Crixy~Hagve ."ffn." 3 E. irl, mm}nq“ lnd;rgilm wel EoR ahd TR, . fltemaiinind droming Deaths Reported. Kate Wallace. 95 ‘;&l Jocelyn st. Will P Acker, 76. United States ome tal. Grace M. Henderson, 75. 2210 Wiscensin ave. Howard Minne. 70, Sible; kL Saras MR 0T 0. 5308 ST st Mary Smith, 59, Gallinger Hospital. Harry Pfeil, 59, Gallinger Hospital Katherine €. €758, 4401 BLh st. C:;xrienfiilw B8 Walter' Hacd’ Gemcral fospital. %v'}‘l‘x’n" H)edllein Eligfilgllfi{fl!flol \tll‘. 1 aniey. 82. Gailinger “Hospiial, harles. Poliard, 68, o nfi& a Alexander, 64, He John T. Barnes' 62 1819 2nd st. Samuel Chapma 774 Lamont st. n. B1. Catherine S. Wilson. 47. 1729 T st. Clarence Naskins, 35, Gallinger purple, blue or black. 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