Evening star., 1944-07-23
By Joseph H. Baird.

velt for the first time on that black
March day in 1888, when he told q dis
couraged America that the only thing 1t
had to fear was fear and who saw him
again today for the first time since then,
would note certain marked changes.
He would see President with grayer
hair. deeper lines in his face and
somewhat more serious expression when
his countenance is in repose. But be-
yond these inevitable marks Of passing
time and worry, there Is little to dis
tinguish the man who now seeks q
fourth term in the White House from
the one who entered it in the dark hour
Of depression nearly 10 years ago.
That, at least, is the impression of
Washington correspondents and ofiicials
who have seen the President periodically
ever since he took office. The Roosevelt
mannerisms, his way of living, except for
superficial changes brought about by the
war; his reactions to persons and prob
lens, his fundamental political philoso-
phy-all are in the same pattern as Of
old.
He Is "In Condition"
When, recently. the President had one
Of his periodic physical checkups at the
Naval Hospital in Bethesda, his personal
physician, Admiral Ross T. McIntire,
said that he was in much better health
than most men of his age, 81. Those
around the President believe that this
blessing is largely due to the fact that
he leads a well-rounded life and long
ago learned how to relax. Even on days
when he is under the stress of solving
some acute war problem, he finds time
for swim, a movie or an hour with his
stamp collection.
Added to this, of course, is the fact
that his diet is carefully supervised by
Admiral McIntire and his hours of rest
are strictly observed.
The war has, of course, greatly en-
larged the detailed work that bears
upon the presidency. Mr.. Roosevelt,
since December 7, 194l, has been charged
not only with the usual civil duties Of
the presidency, heavy enough in them
selves. but also with those of the COM
mander in chief of the Army and Navy
"A title for which, incidentally. he has
shown a marked preference lately.
Presidential Military Staff.
Fortunately for himself. he had begun,
even before the war, to build up the
largest and most efficient White House
staff in history. Since Pearl Harbor it
has been supplemented by what might
be called a presidential military staff.
He has surrounded himself with men
who are able to take over many of the
routine duties which once devolved on
the President, although, OF course. all
final decisions and the responsibility for
those of his subordinates must rest upon
him.
When, in 1888, Mr.. Roosevelt entered
the White House he had only one full
secretary, the late Louis McHenry Howe.
Two aides bore the title of assistant
secretary, Stephen T. Early and the late
Marvin Mcintyre. These, with stenog-
raphers and clerks, composed the White
House staff.
BY contrast, Mr.. Roosevelt today relies
on a greatly enlarged and wen-trained
White House general staff" He has
three full secretaries-Mr. Early, in
charge of press and radio relations; Maj.
Gen. E. w. Watson, who doubles as
secretary and military aide, and William
D. Hasset, who write speeches, drafts
reports and does variety of miscel-
laneous work.
war staff" which keeps him in con-
slant touch with military and naval
problems. 1t consists of Admiral VIII
liam D. Leahy, chief of staff to the
President; Gen. Watson and the White
House naval aide, Rear Admiral Wilson
Brown.
Administering Assistants.
Moreover, even before the war the
President had built up staff of admin
istrative assistants-the men with a
passion for anonymity" serve as
his liaison with Government depart
ments and agencies and study special
problems. There are now five of these
James Barnes. David Niles, Jonathan
Daniels, William MacReynolds and
Laughlin Currie. The sixth, Lowell Mel
lett. recently resigned to re-enter news
paper work.
AS more immediate, personal aides the
President has a staff of three-Harry
Hopkins, special assistant, who has been
closely connected with Mr.. Roosevelt
ever since he entered the White House;
Eugene Casey, special executive assist
ant, and Samuel /. Rosenman, special
counsel.
White House Is Busy Place.
The White House, by contrast with
the pre-World War days when it was
merely the Presidents home where he
worked in a quiet, leisurely fashion with
the assistance of a handful of clerks,
has now become, in effect, large and
complicated institution. Without such
staff as is described here, however, the
President could never discharge the
thousands of detailed duties involved in
running the most powerful nation on
earth as we'll as serving as a war leader
for the democratic world.
The war has done little to change the
Presidents daily routine while he is at
the White House-a fact that goes far
in explaining why he has kept his health
and vigor despite his increased duties.
His" Day.
Now, as formerly, he breakfasts be-
tween and $50 am, scanning through
the morning papers while he is at the
table. Between $50 and 10, his three