Evening star., 1954-09-19
Roosevelt
CONTINUED From Page D-5.

dignitary are notified. Full bio
graphic date about the visitor is
prepared as well as a list of
the members of the official par
ty, both foreign and America.
Then we go to work on the
program" said Mr.. Purse. I'VE
arrange for the customary Wash
ington courtesies and take into
account any wishes of the King
Of Ruritania as well as his
Ambassadors suggestions"
Gall this time the Office and
the Ruritanian Embassy are
being bombarded with invita-
tions. telephone calls and re-
quests. These are carefully sift-
ed through, for the visitor can
only accept a few." he said.
Many Details
The details Mr.. Simmons and
Mr.. Purse must see to are end
less. First is travel, then customs
and baggage. There is the re-
ception committee in Washing
ton. the ceremonies at the air.
port. the district building and
the White House.
They must arrange the ac-
comnodaJions, not only at the
White House and Blair House,
but wherever the King might be
staying. And, Of course, there
is the entertainment schedule,
both official and private.
"And there are still more de-
tails" said Mr.. Purse. waving
large file in his hand. This of
flee is responsible for the per-
Sonal security of each visitor.
Security men are assigned to
them and for example. in the
case Of the Queen Mother, we
work closely with Scotland Yard.
They also arrange press re-
leases, prepare a budget estimate,
recommend to the President ap-
propriate gifts and arrange for
the farewell committee.
Old Hot for Simmons
For Mr.. Simmons. most of this
Is old hat. The dapper career
diplomat has become a symbol
Of our Office of Protocol. When
one sees his face high above the
rest Of the crowd, The is 6 feet
3 inehes) at the airport greeting
a visitor or at an official cock
tail party, one can relax and
know the Government is well
represented.
He has been in his present
position for over four years, but
previously was Ambassador to
Ell Salvador and Ecuador. He
began his career in the for
eign service in Vienna in 1916.
And he has been such an out
standing Chief Of Protocol that
the department has done an un-
usual thing by asking him to re-
main after his four years in
Washington were up.
For young Victor Purse, how
ever, this Office is a new expe-
rience. although he has spent
many years in the State Depart
ment in difficult administrative
jobs.
Gas I see my job." said Mr..
Purse. II am supposed to put
into effect and organize any
decisions made by Mr.. Simmons
and the Secretary and the Presi-
dent. And If Mr.. Simmons is
supposed to be at a certain place
at a certain time to shake some
ones hand, I must make sure
that he is there and that the
hand he Is supposed to shake is
there, too"
Mr.. Purses career has pre-
pared him well for his task. He
entered the department in 1943
as an administrative assistant
in the Office of the executive
officer. After q series Of posi-
tions. he was assigned to the
planning group for the United
Nations and went with them
from San Francisco to London
and back to New York, where
he was special assistant to the
secretary general.
He acted as special assistant
to Mr.. John Peurfoy when he
was the assistant secretary for
administration. Mr.. Purse later
became the special assistant for
the undersecretary for admins
tration and White House liaison
officer until he took over his
present duties q few months ago.