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Whatever effect the U. S. move might have on world affairs, and however Joe Stalin replied, general agreement was that it was popular in the U. S. At the National Press Club in Washington, where generally foregather the most cynical, disgusted, acid-eyed newsmen on earth, a routine luncheon turned into an emotional spree: gathering to hear about news broadcasting in Europe, reporters spied Finnish Minister Hjalmar Procopé in the audience, cheered him to the rafters.
Last week the President dutifully:
>Reminded citizens of their duties to charity in connection with the opening drive of the 1939 Mobilization for Human Needs, supporting community chests which handle local welfare and relief problems in hundreds of cities.
>Welcomed on the White House lawn 4,000 postmasters in convention assembled, quoted Herodotus, Job, Wilson, Charles W. Eliot and Jim Farley in his brief remarks.
> Bade farewell to the departing Swiss Minister, popular Marc Peter, and welcomed the incoming Swiss Minister, handsome, mustachioed Karl Bruggmann, not forgetting to say a good word about the long and honorable course of Swiss democracy and the health and good-will of U. S.-Swiss relations.
Arrival of Minister Bruggmann reminded Washington of the diplomatic marriages of two sisters of Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace. Madame Bruggmann was born Mary Wallace in Iowa, fifth in line from Brother Henry, married Karl Bruggmann in one of the most brilliant social events of the Coolidge administration. Next, her little sister Ruth married Swedish Diplomat Per Wijkman, who last week was attached to the Swedish legation in Helsinki. In Washington small, red-headed Madame Bruggmann looked for a house, explained U. S. ways to her two sons, visited old friends.
>Son James ("Jimmy's Got It") Roosevelt requested demotion from his rank of lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve, which he held as a White House aide; asked to be made a captain instead. Reason: the rank of lieutenant colonel was too high for his "age and experience." Captain-to-be Roosevelt is 31. His resignation was promptly accepted, his appointment to a captaincy speeded.