THE ADMINISTRATION: Time of Decision

Snow, mixed with a northwest wind, drove across Washington’s National Airport as the presidential Columbine III touched down on its special flight from Florida. Columbine’s chief passenger: Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, 71, ordered back by his doctors from his convalescence at Jupiter Island. Fla. (TIME, April 13) to re-enter Walter Reed

Army Hospital. “It is now desirable,” said the State Department, “that he have a period of further medical observation.”

Foster Dulles greeted his welcomers, Vice President Nixon and Acting Secretary of State Christian Herter, aboard Columbine, then emerged smiling, grey Homburg clamped on head, looking tanned but thin. He had a mock shoving match with Nixon at the top of the ramp to see who would make the descent first; they came down together, still jostling. Said Dulles into microphones at the bottom of the ramp: “I feel pretty good.”

Then, with Mrs. Dulles, he drove off in his limousine to Walter Reed for the long-awaited examination as to whether the spread of his cancer has been arrested by radiation therapy. The Associated Press reported the President had received a “discouraging” report on Dulles’ condition. But Dulles’ decision on whether or not to continue as Secretary of State will depend on the Walter Reed tests.