Evening star., 1943-01-11
Johnson Retiring Voluntarily;
Flynn to Have Varied Duties
New Workers. Job
To Give Him Dual
Diplomatic Runk

Nelson T. Johnson, Minister to
Australia, Is retiring from the for
elgn service and will be succeeded
by Edward J. Flynn, retiring chair
man OF the Democratic National
Committee. whose nomination for
the diplomatic post was sent to the
Senate today by President Roosevelt.
The White House said Mr.. John
son, former Ambassador to China
and "a veteran State Department
career man, plans to return to the
United States to live with his family.
It said he had requested retirement
when he was transferred from China
to Australia.
The President has written, Mr..
Flynn q letter, addressing him as
Dear Eddie" the White House dis
closed, explaining to the man who
ran the third term presidential
campaign that he ls also to be Mr..
Roosevelt's personal representative
In the Southwest Pacific with the
rank OF ambassador, although for
mally he will be but minister.
Fost Remains Legation.
However. the diplomatic establish
ment Of the United States In Can
berra remains a Legation. The nav
OF Minister is $4,000 a year and
OF an Ambassador. $17,500 year.
Australia is represented here by q
Minister, Sir Owen Dixon.
The President wrote to Mr., Flynn
that the special duties were being
given to him because in the very
large area of the Southwest Pacific,
I want to feel free to avail myself
OF your services in various other
forms Of activity. over and above
your duties as Minister"
The President pointed out that
Brig. Gen. Patrick j. Hurley is
Minister to New Zealand and II
have used his services in many diff
ferent places outside of New Zea-
land proper and in ways and for
purposes which do not fall directly
under his ministerial capacity"
White House Secretary Stephen T.
Early explained that in his regular
duties in Australia, Mr.. Flynn would
act as the United States Minister,
but on special assignments from the
President would have the rank of
ambassador.
McNary Promises Fight.
Although Democratic leaders
predict the nomination will be con-
firmed by the Senate, Minority
Leader McNary has served notice
that the Republicans will demand
full investigation of Mr.. Flynn's
record, indicating the nomination
will encounter considerable opposi-
ton.
Mr.. Early said that Mr.. Flynn
made his premature announcement
of the appointment in New York
Friday after having been informed
enormously by an unnamed member
of the White House staff that the
nomination would go to the Senate
that day.
Pointing out that the Senate was
not in session Friday, Mr.. Early said
today was the first opportunity for
the nomination to be submitted
formally.
He recalled that it has been White
House practice for years not to an
nounce an appointment requiring
confirmation by the Senate until the
nomination has been submitted to
the Senate.
Mr.. Flynn sent out a call last
Friday morning for a special meet
ing Of the Democratic National
Committee to receive his resigna-
ton and to elect his successor, Mr..
Early pointed out. This resulted
in numerous queries from the press |
to Mr.. Flynn.
Called White House.
After the call for the committee
meeting had gone out, Mr.. Early
continued, Mr.. Flynn "telephoned
the White House and talked to an |
official here who told him errone-
ously that the President was send
ing the nomination over Friday"
He added that believing natural
ly that the nomination had gone to
the Senate Mr.. Flynn put out his
statement announcing the appoint
ment.
When a reporter recalled that Mr..
Flynn was quoted by the Associated
Press Friday evening as saying the
President will send to the Senate
on Monday my nomination as min
lister plenipotentiary to Australia"
Mr.. Early said that Mr.. Flynn had