The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-08-19
Johnson---A Busy David Battling His Goliath
Energy Cracke General Depression

By sIGRID ARNE
(Isy Associated Pressl

has there been such a man
in Washington" as Gen.
Hugh S. Johnson, industrial
recovery administrator.
Energy seems to crackle from
him like so much electricity.
He knows the seriousness of
his job in getting the wheels of
industry to humming again. And
yet, he works easily, never seems
Hurried, even has time for a smile
and quip.
Newspapermen surround him
as he approaches his office in the
morning. He smiles.
Not thing now, he says.
Give you wad later. Busy as
all get-out."
All In q Days Work
He swings in to his desk. Sec
retaries surround him. There are
kilograms to answer, letters to
dictate, long distance calls to pick
up. He takes it in deliberate,
rhythmic stride.
He has time pared to bone.
Not a move or a word seems
wasted. He knows the boundaries
Of his job to hair-line, and he re-
fuses to waste time outside.
What are you doing about
general wage scaIes?" he was
asked.
That's not my baby" he
barked genially.
And the questioner left willing
Ily to find out what he should have
known. The general has imbued
the halls of the department Of
commerce with such wholesome
respect that hissword Il law.
That does not mean he scatters1
terror He is no car. He is q gov
eminent mediator. He never for
gets it. But as such he wants
to know everything definitely and
completely.
Attends Code Hearings
He sits in on all code hearings
at some time. Huge auditoriumsI
of business executives and labor
representatives wait for him. On
the stage are his deputies and adj
visors. The general comes in
He slumps in his chair. but his
eyes dart here and there. He
even seems to know that he can
save. time by relaxing physically
while his mind races.
His picturesque phrases delight
those around him. But he uses
them in no childish attempt to-
draw a laugh. He utters them
with a serious, flashing look. using
them for one purpose speed. The
picture phrases save time.
ParticuIar On Parsonnel
He was asked about the person
mel he was choosing. He explained
his need for men he knows well,
I've can't put in men who'll
get their pants traded off,
he said.
His face Is deeply lined, his
large eyes alert. intelligent. His
broad shoulders speak of strength.
He walks briskly. His manner
would make friends in a mine or
drawing room. He gets less
pay than some of his aids. His
own business is forgotten.
Hired An Objector
Recently a well known exeen-
tive approached him full Of pro-
tests. His industry was going to-
fight.
Maybe smiled johnson slow
". ssBut you're going to stay
here and work for me. : And the
man stayed, He il working harder
now than he ever has before.
The aids--and all Washington
ARE set to the tempo Of this
new COMMUNICATIVE who
gets mp at 8. digests the newspa-
pers. holds = breakfast ronfer-
ence Of deputies. and then arrives
at his office before o o'clock.
He is bound 10 his desk until n
luncheon conference. which ii an
informal affair. He and the. men
he has summoned rash across the
street 10 eat and talk. He takes
oat two hours fos dinner and Il
brief walk with his little fox-fer-I
rEar, .Tnughy,. Then he Il back
az his desk az 40 60 work past mid
night He usually gets four hours
steep, and be says that is al he
Hsesis.
The next day IA Just the same.
There II no rest GoF this David rs
loAg the iseliash I'll ghe tiessres-
s.,. &Rsks k.Ssss Sxss@