Evening star., 1961-01-18

DOUGLA
islation authorizing long-range
commitments. but President
Eisenhower finally decided to
} stick with year-by-year author
izations. Mr.. Dillon testified on
Capitol Hill against long-range
commitments.
In taking this stand, a de-
fennder maintains. Mr.. Dillon
was looking at "the larger pic
ture" in an effort to protect the
aid program.
Another admirer Of Mr.. Dill
lon. calling him a team play
err" makes this guess about how
tough the new Treasury Secre-
tary will be in arguments with
in the Kennedy administration:
Fight isn't the word to use
about him. He would be dog
gedly persistent as long as he
could arguing his case calmly
and persuasively. but II he lost
he would 60 along. He wouldn.
create a big hoopa and walk
out, unless 1t was really q
matter OF. deep principle, and
it's hard to conceive Of that
happening.
Mr.. Dillon learned the virtues
of flexibility during his careers
as a diplomat and financier. He
maintains that the important
thing is the objective. and be-
lieves it is a mistake to be stub
born about details. II one can
not 60 all the way to q goal,
he reasons, it is wise to 60 half
way or three-quarters Of the
way, and then proceed from
there as opportunities arise.
tie insists that his flexibility
implies no lack Of basic beliefs
or ideas.
Bought $4,000 Chandeliers
Mr.. Dillon's Government
career dates back to 1858, when
President Eisenhower ap-
pointed him Ambassador TO
France. He goes to the Treas
ury Department from his posi-
ton as Undersecretary Of State.
where he had specialized in the
foreign economic affairs that
also will challenge him in his
new Job.
Left behind at the new State
Department building is an un-
usual memorable elegant
chandeliers. Congress trimmed
funds for the chandeliers out Of
the budget. Mr.. Dillon believed
the chandeliers were essential
to the atmosphere Of the build
ings reception rooms. He tried
and failed to collect donations
from wealthy friends, then
quietly bought the chandeliers
with his own money. Informed
guesses put the bill at about
$4,000
Elegance flavors Mr.. Dillon's
private life, too. He and his
wife live here in a $150,000
house at 1884 Belmont road
NV. across the street from the
French Embassy. The house was
white balustrades. delicate grill
work. a marble center hall, a
formal garden and a dining
room that seats 20 or more.
The billions feel coziest in
a small study. French an
tiques and French post-impres-
sionist paintings lend the house
a continental air.
The billions also have a
house in Hobe Sound. Fla, an
apartment in New York, a sum-
mer home in Dark Harbor, Me.
and a farm in Far Hills, N. j.,
their legal residence. When in
Paris Mr.. Dillon always stays
in the same suite at the Ritz.
Gourmet and Golfer
A gourmet of note, Mr.
Dillon owns the Chateau Haut.
. Brion vineyard, which produces
one Of Frances finest Bur.
gundy wines. His philanthropy
concentrates on educational in.
stitutions. He has been a di-
rector Of the Metropolitan Mu.
scum Of Art in New York, and
belongs to a variety Of clubs
including the Metropolitan ir
Washington.
Mr.. Dillon has practically
given up sailing as a hobby
but he still golfs-frequently
: with Chairman Fulbright of the
, Senate Foreign Relations Com.
: mittee. His reading interests
run to history.
He dresses extensively anc
} conservatively, preferring dari
; suits adorned with a heavy golt
watch chain. Mr.. Dillon is ,
trim 6 feet 1 inch tall, will
thinning hair.
e This is not a colorful per
g sonality," an associate remarks
= adding that 'it's all bushes
e with him" A reserved, tens,
e man, Mr.. Dillon nevertheless
e Is very persuasive In smal
n meetings. His extemporaneou
speech is not especially fluen
n but he gets his points acros
a effectively in a low, dry voice
e Mr.. Dillon's first name
: Clarence, and until recently h
= was known as c. Dougla