THREE CLEVER LADIES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1932, Page 11

THREE CLEVER LADIES

MRS: HOOVER'S SECRE-

TARIES

An interesting account is given in the "Christian Science' Monitor" of Mrs, Hoover .and her secretaries. There are three of the latter, one being paid by Government, and the'qther two by Mrs. Hoover.. Their'duties 'are of a wide i description, stenography being a very ! small .part. '... Their names are ■ Mrs. ! Fredrick Butler, Miss. Mildred Hall, land Miss Doris.GosW:,The [Writer says 'in regard to the'work: "At the White House the job does not make the secretary;" Jthe secretary makes the job. I There are certain fundamental demands, and then there is, practically, an uncharted opportunity for mitia|tive; those who havo succeeded as see- ! retaries are girls who had imagination 1 and originality, and great social adaptability.^' •.-•,, Writing letter's and making appointments is but a small part of the work; Practically every evening there is a dinner party' of a ,moro or lesa formal description at ithe,; White House, and the duty of one of tho^ secretaries is to be present when guests arrive,-to introduce strangers to each other, and to keep things going pleasantly till the arrival mi the room of the host and hostess. Flowers and other decorations; and general arrangements como to a secretary, and after dinner is over' the secretary still remains to help, and finally sees the guests pleasantly on their way from White Hquse. ; At holiday camps . many., .duties are ,'c.arriod out •by ono or more; of tho'i secretaries, and they make - - arrangements for duties. .Thesp ■ includo many thingsj conventions, meetings; invitations of all kinds which must be scheduled, not allowed to overlap, or be forgotten; everything answered, courteously and promptly,^and; in fact, the "wheels of flife keptroiled." None of the ladies is supposed to vbeja '^'social mentor," ithe','P.reßident'sY.wife',Beeds'.no one of , thb kind; but .she could riot'poasibly cope , alone "with" the multifarious duties and responsibilities that(come'.her.way, ana , it! takes Mra; Hoover and. her charming secretaries, all-,-their, time vto ■ see that 'nothing. is forgotten, and nobody overlooked. /'". ■~;;....:....;. v- ''. > ■ The secretaries; do r .;iot';iiye in the house. When'-they-are;* oft'duty theyare really "off," [and/whenvthe day or ;ovening work" is.,done,...they." have a limousine at their disposal, unless they like to slip, quietly out" of .the front dopr, and;with a,nod.at. the policeman on duty,'make-their. '.way .home on foot.,- 'Discretion,'"it;"is- stated; is the leading requirement:,:.of /these secretarioa, and they•":are- ; hevor.giinty of idlo gossip or" criticism -'.pf-.their employers. Their ( lives/are" exceptionallyfavoured and happy" in their !living in a position and -place.of/immense interest, and .with people of;-high ideals in tho way of kindness' and conduct of life.. ;.. ' ~.■;.. i-.•■.•;;'.■.:;,; _.;