Evening star., 1948-01-28
CHAPTER ;.

Immemorial custom required the
Secretary Of State to 60 out almost
daily to luncheons or dinners, espe-
cially dinners. Whatever the bene-
fetal effects Of this practice. there
was no doubt that 1t absorbed much
time and more energy. I did not
hesitate to make my decision on
the social question. I said to the
members of the diplomatic corps:
II can 60 out almost daily to
luncheons and dinners with you,
with the result that I'll be unable
to see and confer with you except
to limited extent and you'll have
to see my Assistant Secretaries Of
State instead. Or I can refuse to
60 out to luncheons and dinners
with you, with the result that I'll
be able to see and confer with you
myself at greater length. 7 prefer
the latter"
This met with general approval,
and I think it worked much to the
advantage Of all concerned. My
evenings were freer for the study
of documents and papers I took
home to read. My days were freer
for discussions with Ambassadors
and Ministers and members of the
department. During the II years
to follow I carried out this policy
with only such infrequent excep-
tions as official and diplomatic situ-
ations seriously called for.
Mrs. Hull Great Social Help.
Mrs. Hull proved invaluable In
assuming the burden Of what social
life remained. She took personal
charge Of the arrangements for the
dinners I had to give to visiting
statesmen, and the annual cabinet
dinner to the President. When I
attended conferences abroad, she
made social calls on the wives Of
the delegates such as I was not
able to make on the delegates
themselves.
Some public men, often by mutual
understanding, refrain from disclos-
ing the secrets Of their political
and public affairs to their wives,
who remain content to pursue their
own courses relating to society and
to the duties of rearing family.
I kept Mrs. Hull constantly in
formed, however, regarding any and
all questions and persons having
any importance to me. She scrupu-
lously guarded every secret. I never
knew her to make q single mistake
in conversations with diplomats and
statesmen abroad or at home.
Although I eschewed activities
whenever possible, I allowed my
self one diversion that proved of
great benefit to me in body and
spirit. Late Of an afternoon once
or twice a week OF good weather,
to clear, my thoughts and get lit
tie relaxation in preparation for
the tasks I knew lay ahead, would
take three of my associates with me
for game of croquet on the lawn Of
Woodley, Henry L. Stimson's home.
Croquet became my only sport, and
in the eyes Of friends who had not
as much occasion to play it, I grew
to be something of an expert. s,a
On one occasion Harry Mcbride,
formerly my assistant in my office
and later administrator of the Ma
tional Art Gallery in Washington,
brought In ringer" introducing
him to me as an old friend. 1t
later developed he was the cham
pion croquet player Of a certain
section Of the United States. New
ertheless, I won, probably due to
the champions unfamiliarity with
the grounds.
Every Day Was Hectic.
Any typical day of my virtually
IL years at the State Deparement
could be called hectic, being hope
lessly crowded with emergency
problems calling for feverish ac-
tivity on the part of my associates
and myself. My entire tenure could
literally be termed an emergency
period. Every aspect of human ma
ture and conduct in all parts Of the
world passed before us as we stroye
to deal adequately with each vital
question.
7 always tried to reach my Office
between 8 and $40 in the morning,
frequently walking from my hotel