Evening star., 1943-03-14
The Presidents Own Secretary
BY Richard N. Cowell.

by hlCndTQ N. COWeII.
She could spell and read when shs
was only 3.
She was something Of healthy
tomboy while growing up-could hold
her own in vigorous outdoor sames
with playmates.
Her Irish grandfather was an astuts
leader in New York Democratic politics
Her father was a Fordham- educated
manager OF large importing firm, and
her mother was an Arnold Daly-trained
stage star.
Soundly educated. she was schooled
IN ONCE administration. as q mem
Der OF the secretariat of the venerated
Cardinal Hayes.
She's poised, capable. enthusiastic,
loyal. and has tremendous capacity
for work-for keeping on top Of her
job"
With this background and all these
qualifications, you'd think Grace Georre
Iully would be an ideal private secre-
tary for the President OF the United
States.
She Is.
She's had the position ever since
months ago. popular Marguerite Missy
LIE Hand was stricken seriously Ill and
compelled to give up her long held place
on President Roosevelts staff,
White House Workshop
Her workshop is a denlike 'lived-
In room with tan leather furniture
and a deep blue rug in the White
House executive Offices. Drawings of
ships and pictures-many of them OF
the Roosevelts-adorn the walls.
Like her boss broad work table, her
desk Is Uttered with papers, books,
souvenirs. Her typewriter seems to
barely keep its head above the deluxe.
SeH-e1acing and admittedly awed by
the responsibility of the burdens that
pile high on presidential shoulders. she
talked somewhat reluctantly about her
sell and her job, between the Changing
Interruptions of telephones.
Il was born in New York CITY. attended
the Academy of the Holy Child. went to
business college, worked for Cardinal
Hayes Che was then bishop, resigned
to become Mrs. Roosevelt's secretary.
worked for both her and Mr.. Roosevelt
when he was Governor of New York. and
have been on his staff ever since"
After that staccato sentence, apparent
ly modest Miss Tully felt her biography
had been adequately covered. But more
questions brought this:
MY grandfather, James Francis Tullv
was a Richmond County Democratic
leader, but he's the only one in the
family I remember who ever was in
politics.
My mother, who is past 70 and shares
my Connecticut avenue apartment, was
well known on the stage as Alice Lee,
and was An Arnold Daly-trained per-
former. One OF her friends was another
stage celebrity, Grace George, for whom
I was named
One OF my sisters, Mrs Charles r.
Larrabee of Washington, also was in the
theater and once I thought I'd like to
be stage dancer but l never did any,
thing about it,"
Won Competition for Job
Instead, 1t developed. while Miss Tully
was In business school she was chosen
out Of group Of students to compete
for vacant position on the staff of the
distinguished New York prelate, later to
become cardinal of the church.
She won the competition and was
allowed to graduate from the business
school three months earlier than ordi-
narily would have been the case in order
to accept the position.
"1t was during the First World War
and Bishop Hayes. as he was then. was
in charge Of Catholic Army and Navy
chaplains. Most of the work I did was
in connection with wartime activities
of the archdiocese. He really was
wonderful churchman."
Deciding she had remained 'long
enough in one place" Miss Tully left
the diocesan position to become secretary
to Mrs. Roosevelt in 1923 and hence be-
longs to tho Presidents "pra,Albany