Baker's D. S. M.

For ten years Newton Diehl Baker, Wartime Secretary of War, has been running away from a Distinguished Service Medal. Last week he was finally cornered in his old office at the War Department and not once but four times was the decoration pinned upon his coat.

A most modest man, Mr. Baker had discouraged all efforts to recognize his services in this fashion. Since last September the medal had been waiting for him but, until last week, he kept out of Washington to avoid its acceptance.

With gleeful gruffness, Maj. Gen. Charles Pelot Summerall, Chief of Staff, intoned the citation: "For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service . . . responsible for the organization, development and completion of a military program which brought success to the American arms . . . services of inestimable value to the country."

Secretary of War Good pinned on the medal. Mr. Baker made one last wriggle of modesty by saying: "I deeply appreciate the honor. . . . However, I do not consider that I am personally being decorated but feel rather that the decoration is being conferred upon me as a representative of the War Department ... in 1918."

After the ceremony, in burst some belated cameramen who demanded and obtained a second performance. Next came the cinema cameramen, and after them the movietone men. At the last, Mr. Baker protested. "There'll be no sound out of me." Secretary Good started for the door, echoing: "There'll be no sound out of me!" General Summerall agreed to reread the citation, however, and once more Mr. Baker, mum and miserable, was declared "of inestimable value."