The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1931-12-01

- #* - - and American diplomacy since
ROBERT ALLEN His post is of the most difficult and
goat getting in the Capital As press representative Of
the State Department he has hand the responsibility
of protecting the Secretary of State and the other
bers of the Department and the other of meeting the
legltlmately Unsuitable demands for information by the
reporters.
The problem further complicated by the State Depart
ment traditional antpathy the press 1t is the most per
sstent denier of reports the Federal Government
Job Requires Patience
McDermott is thus in sort of perpetual state of 'being
between the devil and the deep blue sea- AS official
OF the State Department he safeguard its secrets
GOTTEN against his sound better judgment and the col
aboraor Of the reporters he must play fair with them
Yhe dual role requires the patience Of Job, the smiling
guile Of godbrck salesman and the endurance of truck
horse.
That "Mac'' has all these and other virtues is amply
attesed by his record tenure the post the high esteem
which he is held by in the Department. and his
genuine popularity among the newspapermen.
His dayto-day work is of a high ORDER but where he
really exees is at international conferences He is worth
whole platoon of ambassadors experts and delegates in
holding steady the ship of state far relations
60 Unless McDermott is present trouble is certain
sue for Secretary Stmson.
AT the London Naval Conference in $780, with McDermott
on hand to guide him through the shoals of press contacts
Stmson got along fairly satisfactorily with reporters
He pulled few blunders but McDermott smoothed those
out. But the past summer when Stmson in Europe
alore he was almost constantly difficulties with the
porters.
don at the Seven Power Conference the German nan
cal situation the Secretary repeatedly CORE
SpOndentS Some them unfavOrable
ABOUT HIM In letters to their colleagues Washington
Show Their Gratitude
While stimson thus laundering about on his own
in Europe Undersecretary of State Castle with McDermott
by his e establishing such cordial relations with the
reporters in the Capital that just before Smson returned
they expressed their appreciation by presenting him with
beautiful silver cigarette box
McDermot high reputation for efficiency is of interna
tonal scope The Macdonald Laval and Grand visits to
America brought large numbers Of visiting foreign
spondents many of them unable to speak English Nc
Dermotts unfang courtesy, assistance and cooperation
considerable factor in the favorable impressions
they took away with them.
Mac although of the younger executives of the
State Department. has had extensive foreign experience
He began his public service secretary General Bliss
the American representative the Allied Economic Coun
ell during the world He continued in this capacity
when General Bliss made member of Wilson's
delegation at Versailles
Ehu Root asked McDermo to his secretary when he
went to The Hague to put through his plan for the World
Court McDermott was so impressed with the of
peace result of his work The Hague that upon
completion of his association with Root he asked him how
he could best continue in this endeavor
Amazed to See MAC"
Root couneled him to the State Department and
secured him place senographc secretary cambridge
Colby then Secretary of State McDermot and Colby didn't
get along WELL and occasion after exchange
between them McDermott the chief clerk Of the
Department and asked be rsrred the press section
He disappeared from Cobys sight who thought that Nc
Dermott had ned The day before he retired from Of
flee he pushed the section buzzer McDermot
the only in the office when the call and he hur
ried to Colby's office He amazed when he Nc
Dermott, but made comment
Until the newspapermen persuaded Kellogg make Nc
Dermott head of the section the post always
filled by of the career men of the Department They
not very successful. -
With their distinct State Department attitude toward the
there constant feud between them and the
respondents The latter felt and not unreasonable that
the press bureau instead of cooperating with them was
working to thwar their obtaining and important
information.
Occasions still arise when the reporters feel they have to
Jump the DIVISION but these differences always quick
y adjusted and the friendes relations between them
and McDermott and his assistants.
'Mac" affects State Department airs He does not
carry 'stick" Neither does he wear spats He plays
golf IN his leisure hours but he does 60 for teas
His clothes are OF American make and of popular ready
to-wear manufacture
He is OF mddeheight and chubby in appearance. He
is only 30 DID, but his hair is almost white He
been prematurey since he 90 He is bachelor
and he intends remaining o-but his friends doubt it.