The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-06-04
PORTRAIT OF GENERAL DIVERS:
 U. s. Chief In European Theater Keeps Close Contact With Men
By TOM WOLFE NEA Staff COrrespOndentl

London, June 4-MosC evenings when he's in London, Lieut.. Gen. Jacob L. Devers, new commander of all the U. s. forces in the European Theater of Operations can be seen touring one of London's parks at the killing pace he calls walking. Every now and then he pauses for a moment. perhaps to listen to a Hyde Park orator, perhaps to ask soldier question. Then he's of again at his incredibly fast pace.
 These things which characterize his exercise and relaxation also illustrate his personality and method of working. He works fast, incisive- ly, directly. He finds out what's happening by going out and seeing for himself.
 He is essentially a simple, direct person. It is typical of General Devers that he walks to breakfast at one of London's officers messeS -preferring to fraternize with of ficers to eating in the privacy of his swank hotel Then he walks to his office. He usually arrives around 8:30. He works in sim ply decorated, medium-size room which takes on its chief atmosphere from Devers himself.
 HE'S PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH
 He'll tall, sturdy and looks ex- tremely fit for 56. He has close clipped graying hair and long e LoeNnolyc Itc Dawn sylvania Dutch ancestry. He talks easily. His accent, which turns them into "em' and you" into "ya," adds to the unpretentiousnesS of his manner. He looks directly at his visitor, smiles often.
 An outstanding athlete himself Gan excellent poloist and one of West Points all time great lacros- sers), he loves sport siniles. He drives home his points with the quick, staccato gestures of a coach.
 "The Tunisian victory hasn't changed our job in the European Theater of Operations, General Devers told me. Tt still has to whip all the clements of the Army into fighting team at peak strength. We've got to get 'em blooded by giving 'em taste Of what's ahead as far as it's possible short of battle itself. That way we'll ease the men into 1t when the time comes rather than throw 'em into it.
 General Devers answered those who tried to geetwo (geetWo be- ing the military equivalent of grand stand quarterbacking) significance from the fact that he, a tank man, succeeded the late General Andrews, an air man, by pointing out that his chief of staff is an air man. General Devers' personal pilot, Lieut.. Col. Earle L. Hormell, ot Knoxville, Tenn, says that "the old man" knows more about the air corps and air warfare than any non- flyer he ever has met.
 LET FEM SEE"
 I asked General Devers how he proposed to carry out his job. By getting out and talking right to the men and by personal example. You've got to let 'em see you and talk to you and know what you're thinking. I won't do it my memos. I don't believe in mimeograph machines"
 General Devers doesn't believe in paper work of any kind when 1t is avoidable. Since his job is primar- ily policy making, he relies on his staff to put decisions into action. He uses the phone little. When he wants information he asks an ofti- cer who has it to come and see him: Or. more likely, he goes out ana sees for himself.
 General Devers has no routine for the day. He works a seven-day week, leaving his office when he's finished whether that is early or late.
 A man of extremely simple and moderate tastes, he rarely smokes, rarely drinks, seldom plays cards, seldom goes to the movies. He IS all avid newspaper reader and ra- dio neWscast listener. He reads light novels and slick magazines for advertisement.
 Time, however. seldom hangs heavily on his hands. Usually he's out in the field letting his men see him and letting them know what