New Broom

New Broom Into the top councils of the aged New Deal came young Ed Stettinius as the 49th U.S. Secretary of State, full of vigor and high resolution. The news of the new week was the speed, distinction and determination of his attack on the organization of the dusty old State Department.

In with the new broom, as the new Under Secretary, came able, greying Joseph Clark Grew, 64, for almost a decade Ambassador to Japan and expert on Far Eastern affairs. Out as Assistant Secretaries went the greying Boy Prodigy, Braintruster Adolph A. Berle Jr., G. Howland Shaw and Breckinridge Long. All resigned simultaneously, and Franklin Roosevelt accepted the resignations "with great regret."

Into their vacancies went a whole new team, hand-picked by Ed Stettinius and approved by the President: > Ex-Cotton Broker Will Clayton, 64, retiring Surplus Property Administrator, to handle foreign economic affairs. Shrewd, wealthy Will Clayton, a longtime friend of Jesse Jones, will also take over the Department's civilian aviation policy, reporting directly to the President.

> Nelson A. Rockefeller, 36, in charge of Latin American Affairs. The Office of Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, which Rockefeller now heads, will be abolished.

>Archibald MacLeish, 52, poet and Congressional Librarian, to supervise State's public and cultural relations.

The only one of Cordell Hull's top subordinates left in his job was able Assistant Secretary Dean Acheson, who continues in charge of the Department's liaison with Congress, and who has always worked at a faster pace than his older colleagues.

The White House statement on the changes said that "an important diplomatic post" would soon be found for capable career diplomat Norman Armour, ex-Ambassador to Argentina. With most top European assignments filled, dopesters guessed that Armour's next assignment would be Brazil, Breckinridge Long--so went the guesses--would probably go to Cuba as Ambassador; but gnomelike Adolph Berle will probably return to his New York law practice.

Thus, by this week, everybody under the State Department's grey, gabled eaves knew that there was indeed a new man at the helm. But Ed Stettinius had only begun. Further changes "strengthening the Department" were promised.

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