Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1961-04-28
H0fcheF. KennedY'S
Press Mun Has
GFueIIinq Job

GFueIIinq Job
Continued from Page ~
the Associated Press, United Press
international. and Reuters"
Around Oils, I spend i've to
fifteen minutes with the President
on small matters. I clear up such
details as queries that don't per-
tain to policy, and go over the
picture schedule for the day. An
other of my tasks IL to give the
President q rundown on what win
happen and who win meet him
when he leaves the White House
On certain occasions."
Pierre salinger, the White
House Secretary. arrives between
s:20 and $50. We talk over the
days plans, Including the picture
schedule. news releases. and state
ments for the press"
Then I attend to my first mail
reading. and start preparing press
releases for Salinger and his daily
press conferences. When he's not
available. I conduct the confer
,ence."
For about forty-five minutes,
things move along at a leisurely
pace. Then the pressure starts and
builds UP between 10:15 and eleven
O'Clock. We don't take any phone
calls during this period, while we
doublecheck plans and take care
Of last minute details"
I'VE hold press briefings for
about twenty minutes, from about |
HOS to 11:25."
Next, go back in my office,
return phone calls, and read mail
for the second time. I then answer
correspondence, and otherwise dis
pose Of fifty to sixty per cent Of
the matters on my desk. The tough |
problems are held over"
II take about forty-five minutes |
for lunch around 1913, and US
ually have guests from three to
five times a week. At other times,
I eat with various special assist
ants The hInch-time chats are a
means Of conserving time while |
discussing business"
Mr.. Hatcher has his own techni-
que for battling the tensions, |
stresses and strains Of the day. He
said that from 1:15 to 1:45, he
closes his office door, turns out |
the lights, and relaxes. From 2
to 3:15 he's back to handling vari-
Gus office chores, and spices in |
appointments with persons who
wish to see him. And from 8 to
3:15 another briefing for the 4:3O
press.
One easily gets the impression
that being a member Of the Presi-
dents staff In not the easiest job
one could find The man who helps
troubleshoot for the President, and
boosts the Administration and the
Democratic party, puts In a long
day. He generally leaves the Office
around seven in the evening.
Even then, he's not off duty
in the strict sense of the word
He's on "a hour call He has a
direct line from the White House
to the hotel where he lives. He
says any accredited correspondent
can call him at anytime, but he
can decide whether he wants to
accept the call
The Associate White House
Press Secretary makes frequent
public appearances, attending ban
quets and filling seating engage
ments. He says he arrives at ban
quets shortly before he IL to speak,
and stays just long enough to get
the feel Of the gathering. He never
eats at banquets.
Mr.. Hatcher has the humility
and wisdom to. realize that al
though he is in an enviable posi-
ton, there always has to be an In
termarriage Of luck, despite ability.
before one can achieve success.
He wears his position wen, and
is determined to serve a. an in
SEPARATION to others.
He demonstrates his deslrs 70