Evening star., 1949-10-31

and of all the other peace-loving
peoples of the world. In this task
we must not fail. To this task I
dedicate myself in the sure
knowledge that together we will
not fail"
Soon after he took over as Sec
retary of State on December l.,
1914. Mr.. Stettinius startled some
of the oldsters in the department
by holding an all-inclusive get
acquainted" meeting. Renting
Constitution Hall, he invited every
department employe. down to the
youngest colored messenger. to
get-together where he introduced
himself and his staff. In effect,
he said: We're all one team
We've a lot of work to do. Let's
pull together" This statement
projected to the department en-
ployes the feeling Mr.. Stettinius
wanted to convey-that he was
one of them, not just a remote
button-pusher.
He promulgated a reorganiza-
ton plan. providing for a staff of
six assistant secretaries, that was
changed little until increased
postwar work of the department
made further reorganization nee
esSary under Secretary of State
Acheson in 1949.
Helped Organize U. N.
I A confirmed internationalist,
Mr.. Stettinius devoted most of his
unusual energy as Secretary of
State to the organization of the
United Nations. AS Undersecre-
tary, he served as chairman of the
Dumbarton Oaks Conference in
Washington during the late sum-
mer OF 1914 that laid the ground
work for the U N, organization.
Soon after he was advanced to|
Secretary. Mr.. Stettinius accom-
panied the late President Roosevelt
to the Yalta Conference and went
on from there to an inter-Ameri-
can conference in Mexico City that
set the stage for conclusion of the
Rio Inter-American defense treaty
after the war.
He headed the American dele
cation to the 1945 conference in
San Francisco that organized the
United Nations, and served as
president of that conference.
Served on Security Council.
Immediately on conclusion of the
San Francisco meeting, Mr.. Stet-
tlnlus resigned as Secretary of
State on June 81, 1945, to be sue
ceeded by James F. Byrnes. He re-
mained in Government service
another year, however. He helped
win Senate ratification of the U. N.
Charter. and then served as United
States representative to the u. N.
Preparatory Commission and later
on the Security Council. He re-
signed the latter post on June 3
1916.
After his retirement Mr.. Stettin-
ius figured in the news principal
ly in connection with the Uni
versity of Virginia, his alma
mater. He was made rector and
chairman Of the university's gov
erning board in August, 1916. He
held these posts until March 16.
l949, when he resigned for per-
sonal reasons after being in poor
health for some time.
Gave University 100000.
While rector of the university
Mr.. Stettinius made it a gift of
cash and securities valued at more
than 100000 to create the Stet-
tinius Fund, Inc. This is a philan-
thropic foundation with broad
powers.
Mr.. Stettinius spent much of
his time in his latter years on
his farm in Culpeper County, Va.
He liked to tell friends that his
600-acre farm, raising cattle and
variety Of crops, was operated
on a business basis and paid its
way.
Before he was made Undersec-
retary of State in October, 1943.
as successor to the brilliant diplo-
matte career man, Sumner Welles,
who had resigned, his public ca
reer had been marked by his two
years in the lend-lease agency.
a job he took over at the request
OF Harry L. Hopkins, the Presi-
dents right-hand man.
In 1888. he had been chairman
OF the short-lived War Resources
Board; also chairman of what
eventually became the War Pro-
duct1on Board. In these positions
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