A NOTABLE FIGURE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1929, Page 5

A NOTABLE FIGURE

GENERAL DAWES. General Charles Gates Dawes, the newly appointed Ambassador for the United States in Great Britain, was horn in 1865 in Ohio. He studied law, and in 1887 began to practise at Lincoln, Nebraska, but later went } into business at Evanston, xilinois. Here lie began his political activities in connection with the Presidential election, working on behalf of William M’Kinley, who, in 1897, appointed him Controller of the Currency. In 1902 he returned to tlio business world as president of the Central National Bank of Chicago.

In 1917 he went, to France as a major in the first contingent of railway engineers, and later joined the staff of General Pershing. He was appointed head of the Purchasing Board for the American troops, with the rank of major-general. After the war, General Dawes was entrusted .by President Harding with the reform of the Government Departments. He had to wield the axe of , economy and to cut down hundreds of “war departments” and “home organisations.” His breezy manner and energetic methods earned him the nickname of “General Hell and Maria.”

After accomplishing his task with great efficiency, lie retired in a blaze of glory and went back to his banking ‘ duties. At the end. of 1923 the , Reparations- > Commission^. him head of the commission of ex-' perts which was to' investigate Germany’s ability to pay. In ; that capacity he arrived in Berlin in January, 1924, to negotiate with the German Government. As the result of his committee’s investigations, the famous Dawes Plan was drawn up. It was issued on April 9, 1924, and was adopted by all the countries concerned as the basis for the carrying out of the reparations undertakings. In November, 1924, General Dawes was elected Vice-President of the United States by a big Republican majority. His inaugural address was a great departure from the orations usual on such occasions, but was typical of “Explosive Dawes,” as he was called. The whole speech was devoted to a strong attack on the rules of the Senate, notably these that permit the interminable obstruction campaigns known fcs “filibusters.” His remarks were resented by by the Senate, hut they enhanced his popularity with the general public. At the end of 1927 he announced that he would not stand for the Presidency in the following year, although he was regarded as one of the favourites for the Republican nomination.