Nip-Ups, Anyone?

The challenge to the New Frontier was clear: If Republican Teddy Roosevelt could enforce physical fitness upon his staff, then why shouldn't Democrat Jack Kennedy do the same with McGeorge and Artie and even portly Pierre?

Kennedy's competitive instincts were aroused by an old T.R. order requiring that all Marine Corps company officers be able to march 50 miles in 20 hours, double-timing the last 700 yds. Marine Commandant David M. Shoup, a physical-fitness bug, had dug the order out of the corps files, sent it on to Kennedy as a curiosity. Replying to Shoup, History Buff Kennedy noted: "President Roosevelt laid down such requirements not only for the officers of the Marine Corps but, when possible, for members of his own family, members of his staff and Cabinet, and even for unlucky foreign diplomats."

Kennedy suggested that Shoup see if the Marines of 1963 could match their counterparts of 1908. Shoup promptly promulgated plans for at least 20 officers at the Marine base at Camp Lejeune, N.C., to set out this week in dungarees, boots, helmets and 24-lb. packs on the 50-mile, 20-hr. hike. Semper paratus, one 49-year-old lieutenant colonel got off to a head start, cut 6 1/2 hours off the time limit. Kennedy indicated that if the Marines passed their test he would do something about measuring the fitness of his rather sedentary White House staff. His interest seemed to focus on Press Secretary Pierre Salinger, who is best known as an indoor sport.

Asked by newsmen for comment, Salinger at first found the threat difficult to believe, but then pride took over: "I don't want the impression to get around that this is a completely ludicrous proposition." After all, Salinger recalled, while in college he had twice competed in the cross-country run and each time managed to finish tenth in a field of eleven.

Just in case his boss should demand of him feats above and beyond the call of duty, Salinger went into training: he walked, rather than rode, the block-and-a-half from the White House to a luncheon date at the Hay-Adams Hotel.

Last week the President also:

> Sent to Congress a special message on mental health (see MEDICINE).

> Reappointed Democrat William McChesney Martin, 56, to a fourth four-year term as chairman of the board of governors of the independent Federal Reserve System. Early in the Kennedy Administration, Martin's efforts to restrict banking credit clashed with Administration views that the U.S. money supply should be expanded to stimulate economic growth. But last week the President warmly lauded Martin for having "cooperated effectively with the economic policies of this Administration."

> Appeared with Evangelist Billy Graham, Vice President Johnson, and House Speaker John McCormack before more than 1,000 persons at the annual presidential prayer breakfast. The President recalled some Episcopal eloquence by "my fellow Bostonian," the Rev. Phillips Brooks (1835-93): "Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks."

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