The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-07-22
ADMIRAL LEAHY
 JOINS CABINET
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depends wholly on his proximity to MT. Roosevelt It is a kind of re- hected authority. But it can be very real with the presidents support. Leahy's recall to active service on the naval rolls and assignment to the overall position as war adviser to MT. Roosevelt was announced at yesterdays White House conference
 The announcement followed a new outburst of second front re- ports from London which rapidly is building up a belief here that a move in western Europe against Germany is imminent. Leahy's new appointment, however, is not an offshoot of these developments. It has been known almost since Leahy returned from his post as ambas- sador to France that he would be Egiven an overall military advisory position directly under MT. Roose- welt.
 The hope is expressed here that the American people will see the Leahy appointment in its proper relation to the whole Washington picture. And if it is so understood by the public there will be scant room for unwarranted rumor or speculation that Leahy's star Is rising at the expense of any of the men already engaged in the war effort.
 It is notable that Leahy's ap- pointment comes at time when Great Britain has been diSputing the propriety of Churchill retaining the ministry Of defense in addition to his duties as prime minister. Many Britons think the war would go better if the defense ministry were given to some other able man. There has been more than a whis- per of similar idea here - that MT. Roosevelt not only was over burdened by his dual responsib1n- ties but that there were limits be- yond which he or any other laymen should not go in charting military maneuvers.
 But there are fundamental differ ences between MT. Roosevelt's and Churchill's respective positions. Churchill in his role of prime min- ister assigned to himself the port folio of defense. MT. Roosevelt is not commander-in-chief by his own ukase but by constitutional desig- nation and he could not avoid the responsibilities implicit in the job if he had secretary of national defense for every day of the week.
 No Second Front Comment
 He was asked yesterday whether he could comment on second front conferences going on in London or what can be done to relieve Ger man pressure on the Russians. MT. Roosevelt replied that he would not tell his press conferees, even if he could. Then he announced Leahy's new job.
 A reporter asked If that meant he would take more active part in the conduct of the World War He replied that 1t would be impos- sible for him to do so, implying that he was all out on that front already. He also advised reporters not to go guessing about Leahy nor to assign the appointment more importance than it deserved.
 MT. Roosevelt explained that he was spending enormous amounts Of time on all kinds of things pertain ing to the war, that he has to read a great many reports and opinions, He said that he would save lot ot time with someone to do lot of the leg work and indexing and direct ing of other leg workers. But he eX- plained that the person to do that for him to be some one in whom he had complete confidence.
 Save me lot of work" the pres ident summed up in six words in explaining Leahy's new job.
 Leahy has a navy service record of 49 years. He saw active service in the Spanish American war at the turn of the century, the Philippine Insurrection and the Boxer uprising in China that followed, and World War I. Few other men in active duty with the navy can boast of such a record.
 Leahy was born in Hampton, 1a., May 6, 1875 and was appointed to the Naval Academy in 1893.