THE WAR DEPARTMENT
In time of war or just following a war the most interesting department is that which is now occupied by the Hon. Elihu Root, of New York City. He is noted as a great corporation lawyer, and at first seemed to consider that the government of the United States could be run on the same principles as a great corporation—that is, “We shall do as we please in spite of public opinion.” But when he was severely brought to task several times he found his limitations.
In spite of this, the report of this department, dated December, 1901, shows difficult, conscientious, magnificent work performed by the War Department since the close of the war with Spain. Possibly the quiet prejudice which exists throughout the country against Mr. Root is largely the result of his treatment of General Miles. He does not like the old General, but the country does. Mr. Root may do many splendid things before the farmer, who only reads his weekly paper and to whose brain new things come slowly, forgives him for rudeness to a man of the people, whose merit has placed him at the head of the army. Any one who thinks he wins favor by calling General Miles “old fuss and feathers,” as some newspapers do, quite forgets that the American people like fuss and feathers. In spite of the above, Mr. Root is a great patriotic man, who, with mental ability enough to earn $100,000 per year, gives his country the benefit of his talents for what must seem to him the paltry sum of $8,000. As an organizer and great executive officer he has no superior now in the government employ. His last report shows the army located as follows: