WHO'S WHO ?

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 285, 2 December 1929, Page 8

WHO'S WHO ?

ON THE MALOLO. OUT TO MAKE FRIENDS. SOME INTERESTING PERSONALITIES. That the Americans on board the Malolo are out to make friends has been amply demonstrated since their arrival on the Matson Line's flagship yesterda3 r morning. New Zealanders as a rule are a very discriminating race, yet nobody could help feeling a wave of friendliness for' these business magnates of America. Full of interesting stories, and offering suggestions to rectify any faults in New Zealand products, they sought all the information they could from those with whom they came in contact. The women visitors proved a surprise. Ever since the arrival of the Malolo was mooted Auckland's flapperdom has been expecting to see the latest in fashions. Instead, there is a band of quietly-dressed and friendly womenfolk, more intent on meeting New Zealanders and seeing the sights than in discussing fashions. Good taste was displayed in tailored modes and ensemble with small hats. "But you may see something in our evening frocks," one woman said. When the remark was passed that there seemed to be a lot of women on board, Mrs. Fred W. Snook, of San Francisco, said with a laugh: "We have many more women on the ship than men and quite a number of widows." Tossed Away the Keys. "We do not come as bankers, business men or merchants, but rather as Americans, to enlarge our horizon and meet the people of other- lands," said Mr. Arthur S. Somers, Commissioner of Education of New York. Mr. Somers is patron of the arts and literature, and director of a dozen large corporations. "Figuratively, I have tossed away the keys of my office so I could take my first vacation in 55 years to see the people of the Pacific," he said, with a bright, happy smile. "This delightful cruise of the Malolo, under direction of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and the American Express Company, gives us a chance to meet and know the people of New Zealand—or a large part of their representatives, because I understand that the Auckland province holds aboufc one-quarter of the population: Through this personal contact we will return to America with a much better understanding of our neighbours in the Pacific." Mr. Somers has been commissioner of education almost continuously since 1892 and is the only surviving member of the last City of Brooklyn administration of 1898, before it was incorporated as a part of Greater New York. Mr. Somers believes that education is the function of the State and that it would be a serious mistake to place it under federal control in America, with a secretary of education sitting in the President's Cabinet. "The people would resent such action, for it infringes the State's rights," he explained. "The Federal Government rightfully oversees educational matters through the department of commerce, but any usurpation of the rights of the State would, in my opinion, be a great mistake." Rugs for Buckingham Palace. Round the world travelling has become so much a matter of course with Louis D. Stone, cruise director of the American Express Company, that he speaks of "commuting" across the Pacific. He has made 19 trips round the globe and the present tour of the Malolo is his 38th trip across the Pacific.

Despite all his tours of interesting climes and lands, his thoughts still gb back to his "little shack," as he calls it, that he occupied for four t year in Peiping. The "shack" was part of an old castle. Its walls were panelled with magnificently-carved teak wood. Every room—and there were .many—had the finest appointments. Over the home flew two flags—the American and 'British—for Mr. Stone's partner in the firm of Stone, Shaw and Wood, rugmakers, was a British subject. The fame of their rugs was world-wide. They furnished many for Buckingham Palace in London and the American Legation in Peking. Heavy taxes were placed on their raw materials by the Chinese Government and the business faded. The "shack" was sold at auction two years ago. The strenuous travel by Mr. Stone can be appreciated when he pointed out that on August 5 of this year he was in Tiflis, in Georgia, 30 miles from Armenia. He was in Berlin on August 17, London four days later and New York on August 25. Then a short rest, a trip to California and then the present 22,500-mile criuse of the Malolo. After returning to San Francisco on December 20, he will rest a month and go off again round the world. San Francisco's Harbour Bridge. "I hear you are contemplating a harbour bridge here," said Mr. Fred Suhr, an alderman of the city and county of San Francisco. Mr. Suhr was very interested in the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as he is assisting with the plans of a similar bridge between Oakland and San Francisco. The proposed American work is 4000 feet long and the cost will be in the vicinity of £20,000,000. Referring to aldermen in San Francisco, Mr. Suhr said they were expected to give their attention to the council for two days a week and were paid £100 monthly. He was surprised to learn that Auckland city councillors received nothing for their work. Backless Bathing Costumes. The man behind a company which produces bathing costumes used by surfers throughout the world, Mr. C. C. Jamtzen, was most impressed with Sydney's beaches and was hopeful of seeing Auckland's. Jamtzen costumes, he said, were manufactured almost wholly from Australian wool, which was, recognised as being ideal for the purpose. He said backless costumes out here were only mild compared with what Americans really desired. Girls, he said, desired to be burnt thoroughly on the back for even-ing-dress purposes, a-nd the backless costume helped them achieve their object.

Leading Barrister Impressed. A leading member of the Californian Bar, Mr. J. Maxwell Peyser, mentioned that he had visited the courts in Sydney as well as in otherj Australian States, and found that the procedure closely resembled that of Canada. 'Whether it be in criminal or civic law, added Mr. Peyser, "I found that the Australian wrongdoer received full justice. One thing that struck me is aT . a can 't huy consideration in f^^ l^h \ court of law > as it can

Millionaire in a Night. Known throughout America as one of four men who amassed a fortune overnight, Mr. M. L. Eascoe was formerly an agriculturist. About two years ago his property in Oklahoma was picked Out as a likely oil yieldcr, and wheu the bores were sunk one night, and the precious fluid shot high into the air his fortune was made. The oil is still being worked successfully, bringing Mr. Roscoe an income of nearly £4000 per week. His son is literary editor of the "New York Tribune." World's Cycling Champion. In 1804-95 Mr. Walter F. Foster, then a youth, held the world's cycling record over four distances. Now he is concerned with advertsing, and posters designed by him are to he seen throughout America. A modest man he had to be persuaded to recall some of his cycling exploits. These included a mile under two minutes at New Jersey, which he subsequently lowered on other tracks, the record time of lm 36s at Napa, California, still being fresh in memory. In that race he was paced by a cycle pedalled by four men. A l'ellow passenger is Mr. James Coffroth, racing magnate. Some years ago lie met Mr. Foster over five miles. With a start ox' lm 45s he beat the champion. Mr. Coffroth never forgets to remind his friend of the achievement.