Evening star., 1935-02-10
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

~ ECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
HAROLD L. ICKES refuses to
~ Certain Congressman may
talk of denying him authority
over the distribution of the proposed
$4,000, 100000 fund for national con-
struction enterprises, blocS may Or
ganize campaigns to eliminate him
from his place in the New Deal and
groups of politicians may vilify him
to their hearts content. But he does
not care.
The one thing that matters to Mr..
Ickes is his present job, his present
responsibility and his present oppor-
tunity to serve his country. Work al
ready in hand, he says, is too impor-
tant to be neglected. He simply hasn't
time or energy for Squabbles or con-
bloom in the Spring, have nothing to
do with the case.
Rolls Up His Sleeves.
Mr.. Ickes comes to his Office each
day with his mind adjusted to his
duty. His first action each morning
after reaching his quarters in the
Department of the Interior Building
is characteristic of everything that
follows-he takes off his coat and
rolls up his sleeves. It is in that in
formal working trim that visitors find
him. The conStraint Of coat would
irritate him. And so, he disposes of
1t and forgets it.
The Secretary Is a plain man in
every respect. His portrait never will
be solicited for use in illustration of
a collar ad. Square of head and face,
compact of figure and economically
organized in bearing, he sits at his
desk solidly erect, occupying all Of his
chair and with his arms pretty firmly
planted on the desk top as he reads
or writes. He smtA cigarettes as he
confers with callers, but forgets about
them when he is alone. Luncheon is
an interruption which he does not
tolerate. He goes home to dinner, but
usually returns to the Office to work
through the evening.
Theatricalism Absent.
And his method of work Is un-
exceptional. He plods forward in
routine of effort which is in no
way picturesque. There is no waste
motion, no theatricalism about his
business manners, public or private.
His penmanship, for example, is COM
monplace. He signs his name clearly
and plainly, without any photographic
anectatlon. When he reads aloud he
pronounces each word clearly and
distinctly, but with no consideration
Tor evolutionary effect. He talks well
and simply, is frank in stating an
opinion, commends employees when he
peneVes they are right and scolds
them when he thinks they are wrong.
His memory is excellent, but he does
not hold spite. He may differ with a
man, reject or resent something he
has said or done, yet not hate him.
Like other officials, he has his
moods-good days and bad. But in
general he is placid and serene, not
easily worried. His one major fear
Is OF the misuse Of public money.
Honesty Is Fetish.
Honesty in administration Is a
fetish with him, and nothing angers
him more than a hint of graft or
corruption, however small. The
cardinal sin, as he sees it, is careless
handling Of public trust. He is a
fanatic on the subject of making
every dollar do a dollars worth of
work. But he has no patience with
cheapnesS for its own sake. His rule
is "quid pro quo'-"something for
something"-and men, like ma
terials, must be "honest value"
The Secretary's character is re-
flected in the shape of his mouth
small, tight and firm. He distrusts
extravagant sentiment, cannot be
fattered or cajoled and is bitter