the Interior or the Commerce Department. I replied that if I were called upon to take anything, I would prefer the Department of Agriculture, the one great developmental department of the government. He seemed surprised, but when I emphasized its fundamental importance to the nation, he indicated that he understood and appreciated my attitude. When I left him, I dismissed the matter from my mind as far as I could.

But, in January, the matter was brought up again. I received a letter from Mr. House, dated January 13, 1913, asking me definitely if I would consider a Cabinet position. He wrote:

145 East 35th Street, New York City.

I was at Princeton last Wednesday night and had a most interesting time.

Do you remember our talk last year about a Cabinet place? Are you still of the same mind, and would you accept one if it were tendered?

The Governor has settled none of these places even in his own mind yet, but I would like to know your feeling in regard to the matter as soon as it is convenient for you to let me know.

When Andrew D. White was President of Cornell he was appointed Ambassador to Germany and his Trustees gave him a four years' leave of absence. Could not this be done in your instance?

With warm regards and best wishes, I am,

Your very sincere friend,

January 13th, 1913.

E. M. HOUSE.

Again, on January 18th, Colonel House wrote me that Governor Wilson had spent Friday night, the seventeenth, with him, that they had talked much about me, and that he had no doubt that the matter about which he had written on the thirteenth would be arranged. He said that it was important that he see me on the twenty-second or twenty-third, or in no event later than Friday the twenty-fourth. He expected to leave Sunday for Florida to see Mr. Bryan.

I replied that the possibility of Governor Wilson's asking me to take a place in his Cabinet seemed to me to be so remote that I could scarcely allow myself to entertain it; that it would be very difficult for me to leave St. Louis; that I hoped I would not be called upon to determine the question; and that I thought the Governor could discover somebody else who could afford to serve.

When I was in New York early in February, I saw Mr. House several times. He brought up the Cabinet matter again. I asked him if the situation was at all serious so far as I was concerned, and he replied that it was very serious-that my name was one that the Governor no longer debated; that it was settled in his mind; but that, of course, he ought to have the right to change up to the last moment and would reserve the right to do so. I told him that I hoped he would change, but that evidently the matter was very threatening and that I ought to be free to discuss it with Mrs. Houston and the President of the Washington University Corporation in confidence. To this he assented.

On my return to St. Louis, I mentioned the matter to Mr. Brookings. He was not surprised, but seemed to be worried. He was good enough to say that he did not see

how he could get along without me, but that he thought I might render great service as head of a department and also as an adviser in financial, economic, and governmental

matters.

On February 12th, I received the following telegram:

Savannah, Ga.,
Feb. 11, 1913.

I am writing you to-day at the suggestion of our friend. You may now confer with your board in the strictest confidence I am sure they will be patriotic and make the sacrifice There is too much of public importance involved to admit of but one decision.

The following is the letter referred to:

Confidential.

MY DEAR FRIEND:

E. M. HOUSE.

St. Augustine, Florida.

I am just in receipt of a letter from the Governor asking me to return for a final conference on Thursday. He then adds: "Meantime, would you be kind enough to sound H. of St. Louis on the Secy. of Agriculture for me? On that case I am clear and my choice made; but I think it best for you to open the matter with him, if you will be so kind." You must accept. Your duty was never clearer. You do not know, as I do, how much of value to the country is involved. It is more than the one department that is at stake, and if you should fail us now, I should feel as if I had worked in vain. You may now have a more general conference with your friends, but please be firm and let them know that a higher duty now

calls. I would appreciate an early answer, and if you could veil a telegram so that its meaning would be clear to me alone that would be better. I am leaving in a few moments for New York.

Yours faithfully,

E. M. House.

After reflection, in view of the fact that I had only a few years before assumed my position in St. Louis and some important projects were at a critical stage, and of the further fact that I had limited means, I wrote that I did not see my way clear to leave and asked that another man be found. A prompt reply came to the effect that the President-elect wanted me in his Cabinet, that his plans would be thrown out of gear if I declined, and that I must accept. I answered by telegram that I would accept, if it was understood that I might retire at the end of two years without embarrassment if I decided that I ought to return to St. Louis. I added that the Administration would probably be made or marred in two years, and that I could in all likelihood get into shape within that time such ideas as I had. The reply came immediately that my suggestion was entirely acceptable. It was as follows:

New York City,
February 15.

Our friend was with me when your telegram came, and I am glad to tell you that it is entirely satisfactory. It has made me very happy. Please see that absolute secrecy is maintained. E. M. HOUSE.

And so it was fixed.

CHAPTER II

APPOINTED SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

Previous Acquaintance with Wilson and House-Joining the Cabinet Without Direct Word from the President-Surprise of Governor Francis and Logan Waller Page

I

FELT greatly honoured to be asked to join the President's Cabinet and to serve as Secretary of Agriculture, but for financial reasons it was a serious business

for me to go to Washington in such a capacity. I knew that I could scarcely live in ordinary decency on the salary and on what little private income I had, and I did not like the idea of using my savings or of going into debt. But I felt that we were justified in going at least for a short time.

The financial problem is one which every man of limited means has to face who is called upon to serve the people in an important position either at home or abroad. We have made it possible only for men of comfortable income without undue sacrifice to serve the government in the more exacting positions and to do their appropriate and decent part in the social life of the places where they are stationed; and yet, we call ourselves a Democracy. The trouble seems to be that we fool ourselves in this as in some other matters, and that our standards are set by those who do not concern themselves about the requirements of a position, or who seem to think that to live up to the standards of simple decency is to be undemocratic.