Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-07
SIR ERIC USES OTHER FELLOWS
VIEWPOINT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS
Secretary of League Council
Is Modest, Shy
SCotchman.
Brings Unusual Talent Into
Play to Organize
Geneva Body.
ny JOSEPH f. SHARKEY.


! GENEVA. July 7.-Secretary Genera'
Sir Eric Drummond succeeds IN run
ming his big job as head OF the League
of Nations by seeing things from tne
other fellows standpoint.
When he Is harassed by complicated
international problem which loiio"s
him to his bedside, he Will concenIa's
on it until the solution comes ana
then get up and write down the soiu-
ton: after that-unrufiieo slumoeF'
Constantly in contact with men OF
all nations. Sir Eric believes that men
are fundamentally honest and sincere.
It is ignorance that makes all the
trouble-and genuine conflict as 10
where the right path really lies.
Drummond is a modest. shy Scotctl
nobleman of ancient lineage; a nan
brother of the present Earl OF Feftn'
Lady Drummond IS related TO SlI ESine
Howard, the British Ambassador 10
Washington.
Uses Unusual Talent.
But unusual talent has been brought
to plav bv Drummond in the organl-
yation of the mighty international
organism now so smoothly functionlng
AT Geneva and called the League sec
retsriat. When at the close OF the
Great War he was appointed secretary
general By the statesmen assembled AT
Paris, he wrote Down on fragment oil
naper a detailed scheme of League or
ranization. That same scheme obtains
today. practically without modification
Dr,lmmond is one of the hardest
workers in the world, and is probably
the worlds fastest reader. The amount
of correspondence from SIS nations and
the Recommendation on international
problems he goes over on given DAY
is nothing less than appalling, and ms
desk is always clear.
Sir Eric. like Sir Austen Chamber
lain, British secretary OF state for
foreign affairs: Lord Robert Cecil and
other notables, has a passion for de-
tective stories. Lord Balfour. whom he
accompanied to the United States dur
ing the war as a member of the Brit
ish War Mission. is another detective
warn devotee. and Sir Eric gleefully
told me that Balfour and himself fire.
ouently give each other tips as TO the
best new detective thrillers to read.
PLAYS Golf With Pleasure.
de DAYS EQl1 Will QlSdoAAC NAAA
studied correctness and efficiency. but
is never brilliant (Sir Eric did not adj
NIT this iast). He holds his own in a
good game of bridge, but bis greatest
10Y is fishing in the streams of Swift
zerland. Scotland and England. And
here is a bridge sidelight on his Drum
mondian character He never overbids
his hand He lets his adversary do
that Then he doubles him-calls the
bluff. He detests making speeches,
and is chagrined because he has never
been able 10 learn how TO drive a
motor car properly.
Statesmen believe in him because
he has won their confidence. His staff
swear by him because he never tries
to grab the honor and glory of things
achieved He pushes the men around
him into the limelight and keeps him.
self in the background. He is never
autocratic in manner and has kind
of deferentia1 attitude in times of con-
sultation which disarms people.
Just how did you build up the
League secretariat?" asked Sir Eric.
The first rule I laid down." he
answered, was that people who joined
the organization would really believe
IN the League idea That is essential
Then / was fortunate In getting COL
leagues who had seen service in inter-
national activities, for the Great War,
with its interallied boards, had given