The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-12-07
Observations
Military Aide to
President Yields
Real Power
-. $1,000
Ey HELEN EsSARY

are all kinds Of Specialties' be-
hind its plate glass, Even If you
are running fast, as all Washing
tonians do, you can see the special.
ties without looking too hard. The
big apples, for example. Polished
to catch the eye.
II you are not an old timer you
think those apples are the best
kind OF apples. Just because they
are so red, are out in front and
cost 25 cents piece. But you
know. il you have been around long.
that the big. shiny apples are not a
bit of good in a pie. They are
tasteless. They have no flavor. Or
substance either. They are mere
window dressing.
Many OF the people you hear most
about in Washington are window
dressing But behind the window
dressing are some good, stout.
hearted citizens who keep their
own honesty and help run the CAPT
tai show meanwhile.
am going to try to tell you now
and then about few OF these rare
characters. like TO think OF them
working behind the scenes. Not
maneuvering. Just plugging away.
And not selling out 10 anybody.
Not even 10 their bosses
Here, to begin my series, is PA
Watson, military aide and secre-
tary the President OF the United
States. A major general in the
United States Army. From West
Point and ALBANIA, by way Of Viz
ginia.
General Watson is a southern
gentleman from way back. Kinda
modest, too. With a wide laugh.
The latest good story. with prob
ably more Influence than Harry
Hopkins and Felix Frankfurter ad-
ded together and multiplied by the
tag end of the national debt
No kow-tower is PA" Watson
edward Watson in the Congress
81 sional Record. Not that anybo-
dy ever heard his real name. But
a hearty hunk OF America who
would fall over himself If he would
try to bend a knee.
lightly knowing behind his easy
goin way. too. You can hear him
say when the intrigue around l,G0O
Pennsylvania Ave. gets too thick,
Now look-y here. There amt
goin' 10 be no more foolin." And
no more foolin' there is. Not while
Pa is lookin'-
Pa hasn't tried TO iron himself
out into a smoothie His unabrig-
ed southern speech is part OF his
charm. 1t is a good smoke screen,
too. Pa needs a smoke screen to
protect him from some OF the call
ers who want to stop around and
see the President Pa Is the one
man who makes the appointments
to see the President. And is that a
job! Honey chile-it shore is!
remember an appointment Pa
made for me. What a nuisance
wasl The Woman's National Press
Club was working on Mr.. Roosevelt,
trying to get him to come to talk
at a luncheon meeting. No presl-
dent of the United States had ever
talked to newspaper women before.
| haunted Pa for days when |
was not haunting Steve Early.
presidential press secretary. And
the President, himself, whenever
/ could manage a word after
news conference. Finally the date
for the Presidents appearance was
set. The club was enchanted.
Then one day Pa Watson called
me in from the waiting room VI
the executive Offices. Got a little
bit OF bad news for you" he said.
Looks like he is goin' 10 have to
spea.- to the special session of Con
gress the day he meant to come to
you-all. Now you Just be a good
girl and 20 on home. And III call
you up when we find a time both
the President and Mrs. Roosevelt
can ONE together"
Go home, Not me! | will just sit
right here and wait" | did sit and
wait Finally after an hour or two.
Pa sent this note into his boss then
presiding at a cabinet meeting:
please can you decide on that
Press Club meeting? Helen Essary
out here in feverish condition"
The President did decide. On
the back of Pas note. No wonder
I have faith in the major general
from Eufaula. Ala. No wonder
the Pres" takes the major gen
eral to the big goings-on with
Uncle Joe or Winston in Quebec, or
Teheran. or the South Pacific He's
such an encouraging guy to
have around And an expediter
with a lot OF steam behind that
southern drawl
ATHENS-AP-El snipers hid