U.S. At War: Roget, Barflett and Buckle

Presidential Secretary Steve Early and a little group of White House employes and pressroom regulars clustered in the President's office one noon last week. Mr. Roosevelt buzzed for Assistant Secretary William D. Hassett. Lank, grey, stooped Bill Hassett, 64, got a little flustered, for the President abruptly announced that this was a court-martial; that he, Bill, had been accused of using some very bad language and the group was gathered to see how good a swearer he really was. Forthwith joke-loving Franklin Roosevelt handed Bill Hassett a commission as full presidential secretary, to succeed the late Marvin Mclntyre.

Bill Hassett is a...

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